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Ready to face competition from Neymar, Mpappe at PSG, says Draxler

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7 years ago

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Berlin, Sep 6 (IANS) German forward Julian Draxler does not intend to leave Paris St Germain. The 23-year-old feels ready to take up the challenge after the French football club signed Brazilian superstar Neymar for 222 million euro ($264 million) from Spanish giant FC Barcelona and French sensation Kylian Mpappe on a loan deal from AS Monaco.

“I decided not to leave Paris and to take up the new competition in our squad,” Draxler said, reports Xinhua news agency. “The club has signed two real rockets. That is something to be happy about.”

“I expressed my determination to face new competition. My performance in the latest European qualifier against Norway was a clear message to Paris they can still count on my abilities.”

The former VfL Wolfsburg striker is aware of the new quality in his club. “It is going to be a hard competition. We have gained exceptional quality. But every top side in Europe counts on a squad full of top class players,” Draxler said. Draxler mentioned that he took up club training later than club mates due to the 2017 Confederations Cup.

The club’s goals address his goals as PSG want to be successful in the 2017/2018 Champions League campaign.

“I am ready to go full speed and do all for the team’s success,” the 37 times German capped striker said. “I am convinced we will provide fans an offensive football spectacle and I am proud to be part of a unique team like that.”

Draxler said he feels extremely well in Paris and never considered to leave. That won’t change he said.

The 23-year-old spoke about a meeting with PSG coach Unai Emery, who told him he counts on him in the future and that he was very much satisfied with Draxler’s performance last season.

“I am aware I will have to fight to secure a place in the team, but I am willing to do that, and I am optimistic to be a serious challenger,” the German commented. “I am a regular team member as most of our players are.”

Draxler mentioned his satisfying performance when winning the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia with Germany this summer. “Playing the Confed Cup and now the European qualifiers with Germany proved I am at a good level to deliver good games over a longer period,” Draxler stressed.

For German national coach, Draxler is one of his cornerstones when it comes to defending the World Cup title. Loew called Draxler “one of our best”.

–IANS
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Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia

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3 years ago

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May 5, 2022

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The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.

Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.

Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”

Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.

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