I was not surprised when I saw my name in the transfer list. It was actually something I had been expecting to happen. After finding myself out of the squad, when I had helped the team keep three clean sheets, was the first major indication of what was going to happen. I had been told that I was needed in the team, but they proved themselves wrong.

Now, I will have to look for a team that will be able to fulfil my ambitions. I have still the best of my career ahead of me and I know I can offer a lot to the manager who will believe in my abilities. I would like to stay in the Premier League and I would consider a move to a Premier League club before considering any other move. However, this does not mean I would not consider a serious offer coming from abroad.

In any way, for the time being, I will focus on the two international games we have ahead of us. Both of them are really difficult games, but the game against Ukraine is far more important. It will be a bonus to get a good result in Spain, but we definitely need to win the game against Ukraine if we want to maintain our hopes for qualification.

Personally speaking, it is quite difficult for me to cope with the demands of such games, as it has been some time since the last time I played for the full 90 minutes. Still, I have trained very hard during the last two weeks with the national team and Olympiakos, before that. As such I am confident I am ready to play and help the team to the best of my abilities.

I know the team has a lot of talent and skill. We just need a bit of luck to get the results we want.

Nikos Dabizas