Villanueva: My Idea Is To Stay Here

Blackburn Rovers don't seem likely to hand Carlos Villanueva a permanent transfer in the summer but the Chilean is still hopefully of earning a deal, or at least staying in England with another team.

The 23-year-old has barely featured under Sam Allardyce (and didn't fair much better under Paul Ince) but Villanueva is still desperately keen to stay at Ewood Park as he feels he has become a better player and even the reserve, Carling and FA Cup matches have helped him adapt to the English game and gain a better understanding of what is required from him.

Villanueva told El Mercurio: "My idea is to stay here, but the truth is that it is not up to me. We'll see what happens because I hope I can be given the chance to stay here.

"A new coach is here and I don't know why I could not play in the Premier League. The tactics he uses demand long balls and stronger players.

"I am calm. Even though I haven't played so much, I've been learning from such competitive football. The good point is that I've been playing the reserve and cup matches."

The Chile International (currently on loan from Audax Italiano) is honest in his admission that it took him some time to get used to the English game but has adapted (or is starting to) this in the hope of staying, and if it isn't with Rovers (as he hopes) he hopes that another Premier League side will give him the chance of staying in England.

He added: "Here football is very different to Chile because of the dynamism of the game.

"The players are faster and stronger. Besides referees do not blow so much and let the game go on, so matches are more intense.

"I don't know what I need, but if I have a new chance to play in the Premier (League) I will take it because I'd love staying here."

Many of us would like Carlos to be given a chance, but at the moment securing our Premier League status for next season is more important and Allardyce isn't likely to be making that many chances week-to-week (injury and suspensions aside) to his line-ups if he can help it, and definitely won't be bringing in the inexperienced Chilean. However, it does already seem as though Big Sam has decided that the midfielder isn't for him anyway?!?


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