Southampton winger Kamaldeen Sulemana has revealed that one of the main reasons he joined the Premier League from Stade Rennes was to get enough playing time.
After a promising start to life in the French Ligue 1, the Black Stars forward subsequently struggled to get back into the first team after battling with injuries prompting him to seek a new chapter.
He eventually agreed to join the Premier League after a number of clubs had shown interest in the skilful winger.
Sulemana revealed in an interview with Daily Echo that, despite being inspired to help the Saints escape relegation, his decision was mainly triggered by his optimism to get enough playing time as compared to his former club.
“I would say that football can be very hard sometimes, especially with the situation we’ve been in – it’s been the hardest.
“I want to play every game and that is the conversation we had and one of the main reasons I tried to move from France – to get game time.
Despite climaxing his first season with a phenomenal performance scoring a brace in an exhilarating 4-4 draw against Liverpool, Sulemana has blown hot and cold since joining and has climbed off the bench in a number of matches.
“When I saw the situation I felt like I could help. That’s why I came here but since I arrived it has been difficult with the game time, I don’t start some games and have to come in from the bench.
The 21-year-old has been included in the latest Black Stars squad and would be hoping to replicate his performance in Ghana’s game against Madagascar in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
