A regular in the Premier League for Stoke City last season, Mame Biram Diouf hasn’t had the same campaign with the Potters in the Championship.
Limited to 13 appearances in the league this year, of which only six were starts, the Senegal international isn’t enjoying himself any longer.
So Foot in France went to meet Diouf for an interview, where they discussed everything, from his debuts with Manchester United to his current situation at Stoke City.
On the latter, the 31-year-old didn’t hold back.
He said: “They’ve loved me too much here. That’s why I’m sad about the current situation, because Stoke means a lot to me. English fans are demanding, but, frankly, our fans are the worst.
“They’re really passionate, but they don’t encourage the players. Even if you barely miss a pass, they tear you to shreds. It’s really hard.”
In fact, So Foot heavily hint, without quoting the player directly who ‘didn’t want to talk about it’, Diouf has had enough of ‘smashing himself against British defences’ and is ‘openly thinking’ about leaving the club in the summer.
What has really frustrated the Senegalese, however, is his manager’s desire to play him down the wing, when that really isn’t what he does.
He said: “I really tried, but I can’t do it. You take me to play as a striker and just after you stick me on the wing. What does that mean?”
Contracted to Stoke for another year, this will be the last chance for the Potters to make some money, having picked the forward up on a free from Hannover 96 in 2014.
At this point, it seems it might be what’s best for all parties, as Stoke sit 15th in the Championship, 14 points off the playoffs.
