Abu Dhabi: Manchester City’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho believes his 2014 Fifa World Cup fate will depend on how he fares in the English Premier League this season.
The 28-year-old, who cost the Blues £30 million (Dh175.9 million) when he signed from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer, has five caps for the Selecao but has not figured recently, leaving him with work to do if he is to play at the showpiece tournament on home soil next year.
“I want to play well in the Premier League and show good football and put up a strong performance. After that, we will see if the Brazilian manager [Luiz Felipe Scolari] gives me a chance to get into the national team,” said Fernandinho, who was in the UAE capital over the weekend to meet and sign autographs for fans at the City Store in Marina Mall.
“I think the Brazil squad is very good. They have changed the manager and he is doing a very good job. I strongly feel I can have a chance to play in the Brazil national team. I hope next summer I will be there in the squad and will play in the World Cup in my country. The most important thing is to win the World Cup though.”
The box-to-box midfielder, who has been an integral part of new City manager Manuel Pellegrini’s team so far this season, is confident his team can reclaim the English title from great rivals Manchester United this season.
“I hope we can win the league as we are working and playing really hard. We are trying to play better football, but the important thing is to try and win the games. I’m hoping that we can do well in the next games,” said Fernandinho, who will join goalkeeper Richard Wright in visiting Abu Dhabi’s Manchester City FC School of Football during this week’s international break.
“Last season Pellegrini’s team [Malaga] played very well in the Champions League. Hopefully he can help City to go all the way into the final this season. Everybody has been waiting for this, to see City reach the Champions League final, and maybe his experience can help us achieve that goal.
“I think this year we have started very well. We have already reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time, but we can go that extra mile. I think we want to make history for the club and, if we can achieve that this season, it will be very good for me, all the players and for the fans as well.”
While rumours have emerged of star striker Sergio Aguero being chased by Barcelona on the advice of his fellow Argentine Lionel Messi, Fernandinho feels the former’s presence in the team is a big plus for the side.
“Aguero is a top player in the Premier League and for us he gives an edge. Because when he plays, lot of concentration of the opposition goes towards him, and that allows others to display their game and that I feel is an advantage for our team.”
The 5ft 10in player feels he is slowly but surely adjusting to the English lifestyle, with his biggest frustration being the heavy traffic.
“The English lifestyle for me has been normal — it is good and easy. But I don’t like the traffic! Going to the training ground is tough and, because of the traffic, it takes 40 minutes. The rest is very good, fantastic. Unlike most, I’m enjoying the weather — for me the weather is very good,” he said.
Of his Abu Dhabi welcome, Fernandinho added: “The reception from the fans has been fantastic. I have been here 10 years ago and then too they welcomed me well. People here know their football and that’s a good sign for the sport here in this country and the region.”
