Doumbia gives Garcia, Roma fans both barrels
The Ivorian international’s move to Rome was hailed as a masterstroke in January, before the CSKA Moscow star proved to be out of shape and out of sync with the rest of the Roma team.
The 27-year old Doumbia , who has since returned to CSKA Moscow, netted a measly 2 goals in 13 games.
Yet things may not be as simple as they appear. The Ivorian international was an absolute goal machine for the Moscovites, netting 61 times in 96 Russian Premier League games before moving to Italy. How come things didn’t work out so well in Italy? Doumbia recently got his chance to tell his side of the story.
« The fans started whistling at me from the get go, and they never stopped,” he told La Jeune Afrique.
“Rudi Garcia made me play as soon as I’d returned from the African Cup of Nations, and I probably wasn’t ready. Returning to CSKA was the best thing for me, I needed to play, and knew the team as well as the league well.”
The Ivorian international then expanded on his reasons for joining the Giallorossi.
“I left CSKA because I needed a new challenge.
“I could have gone to the Premier League but I chose Roma because the coach [Rudi Garcia] is French, and because Gervinho was there."
Despite having two-and-a-half-years left on his contract, Doumbia certainly doesn’t seem to be open to a return.
“I can’t imagine returning to Italy.
“I hope we can reach an agreement. Maybe one day I’ll take another shot at a big European league”
