• Premier League

Capoue claims English clubs have ignorant attitude

ESPN staff
January 31, 2014
Sherwood praised City after their 5-1 victory over Spurs

Etienne Capoue has said he has fallen victim to English ignorance of foreign players, and suggested he will leave Tottenham if the opportunity arises.

Capoue, 25, has dropped out of the first-team frame since Tim Sherwood replaced Andre Villas-Boas as manager at White Hart Lane.

The France international has even seen young compatriot Nabil Bentaleb, who was coached by Sherwood through Spurs' youth teams, occupy his preferred midfield role in recent games, and L'Equipe reported on Friday Sherwood does not know enough about last summer's €10 million capture from Toulouse.

"I'm not surprised. That's the English attitude. They don't know foreign players very well," L'Equipe quoted Capoue, who has played 14 Premier League games this season, as saying.

"It's tough. I've gone from first-team regular to someone who is putting themselves forward to play. It's the first time I've experienced this."

With each passing game in which he plays merely a bit-part role, Capoue can also see his chances of featuring for France at next summer's World Cup fading.

"If I don't play, it's going to be difficult," said Capoue, who did not rule out quitting Spurs in an attempt to boost his playing time. "If something comes along, we'll talk about it."

Napoli have reportedly already bid €10m for Capoue, and are considering upping their offer to the €14m wanted by Spurs.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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