European clubs circling Socceroos’ inspirational defender Trent Sainsbury after France heroics
SOCCEROOS defender Trent Sainsbury’s incredible performance against France not only wowed the Australian faithful but caught the eye of several European clubs.
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SOCCEROOS defender Trent Sainsbury is attracting interest from a rising number of European clubs after a stunning debut World Cup against star-studded France.
A China exit looms and Sainsbury’s club Jiangsu Suning may cash in with the defender having just six months left on his contract after a successful loan stint with Swiss club Grasshoppers Zurich.
Two English clubs and three from continental Europe are circling for Sainsbury, 26, who last year had a six-month spell at Inter Milan.
Producing a stunning display against some of the world’s most expensive attackers, including PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele, Sainsbury admitted his upbringing helped him keep a cool head.
“I remember my dad always saying to me – I can’t actually say it, but something like ‘don’t care who they are, they’re just a person as well and make sure if they go past you the ball doesn’t’. The hard man talk,’’ Sainsbury said.
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“They’re human beings and you get players who are absolutely world class, but at the same time they’ve got 10 other teammates to help them.
“You’ve got to just do your job, there’s no point worrying about the player you’re up against – if they’re world class, everyone already knows that, so if they go past you, what’s the difference?
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“My goal was to come here, play a good tournament and get out of the group stage and that’s still the goal. Whatever comes of it so be it - it’s a nice place to put yourself out there in the shop window.
“If I can get settled and stay at one club for the rest of my career I would be very happy.”
Sainsbury’s agent Tony Rallis admitted the Kazan performance prompted inquiries.
“There was interest before the World Cup and my phone did go off a few times during the game,” Rallis said.
“We decided beforehand I wouldn’t give him live updates regarding possible moves. We’ll let the World Cup finish and then work with it.”
Sainsbury did however cut it fine in making to Russia, not returning to the pitch until April after groin surgery, which he delayed until the Socceroos had qualified.
“The biggest thing for me was just getting the team the opportunity to go to the World Cup. At the time I just felt like I had to be there,’’ he said.
“I had the three Confeds games, broke down in the Chile game and the groins are pretty much still on that pitch in Russia.
“The body was hanging a little bit, the end of games couldn’t come quick enough and we finally got there in the end and finally it was time to go under the knife.”
Originally published as European clubs circling Socceroos’ inspirational defender Trent Sainsbury after France heroics
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