Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Diogo Jota has gave a big interview to Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Notícias at the weekend.
Even though local newspapers normally spend most interviews speaking about Portuguese football, this chat was a bit different, with the Molineux side being the main subject.
Jota has talked a lot about his season in the Championship, and was first asked if this was the best year he’s had in his professional career, mentioning his 46 appearances and 18 goals.
“I can’t escape from it. In addition to this statistic, I also won my first team title,” Jota told Diário de Notícias. “So I think there’s no doubt that it was my best season and that transfer to England was a smart step in my career.”
Talking about the ‘special taste’ of winning the Championship, Jota said: “Yes. It’s one of the toughest leagues, with many games, difficult weather conditions, lots of delivery from all teams in every game. It’s very difficult to win in many matches. For what we achieved, our merit has to be highlighted.”
Jornal de Notícias also trotted out the usual question about the difference between Portuguese and English football. Jota had the same old answer saying English football is more physical, so was asked if being a different kind of player has helped him.
“What played a lot in my favour was the idea of Mr. Nuno, who tried to escape the culture of that league. We tried to beat opponents by the tactical part of the game, avoiding these physical duels, having the ball, forcing the opponents to wear out and then occupy the spaces they left free. It was the great secret and a style of play that benefits me more than the physical.”
When Jota used to play for Porto, he had been accused of being a Benfica fan. Now in the interview, he’s confirmed he used to support the Eagles when he was younger, but claims to have no feelings for the club since becoming a professional.
Jornal de Notícias asked who he supported in the last title race, and despite not choosing any club, he followed the league with his teammates in England: “At Wolverhampton, we had a big dispute between Ruben, more turned to FC Porto, and Ivan Cavaleiro and Helder Costa, rooting for Benfica. I honestly enjoyed the time I spent at FC Porto, but I followed the league in a neutral way and wished for the best to win it.”
