Crystal Palace striker Marouane Chamakh insists that he has no regrets moving from France to England, but he has admitted that his loan-move to West Ham United last season was a big mistake.
The 29-year-old moved to England back in 2010 after he left Bordeux on a free to join Arsenal and despite scoring eight goals in his first nine appearances, Chamakh’s career at the Emirates Stadium never took off.
He was used as back-up to the likes of Robin Van Persie for the majority of his time there and was then even replaced by Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski when they signed last summer.
Chamakh’s Emirates hell finally ended when he completed a loan-move to Upton Park in order to join Sam Allardyce’s West Ham, a move he later regretted.
After lack of opportunities there, the Moroccan returned to Arsenal before completing a permanent move away to newly-promoted Palace.
Despite the lack of luck and success in England, Chamakh still insists he has no regrets leaving France.
“There were several opportunities, in Greece, Turkey, Spain, France and even the Middle East. But I preferred to stay one more season in England because I love the league,” he told L’Equipe.
“Do I regret moving to England? Not at all, even if it didn’t go as I had hoped. But I don’t regret it because I found what I came for – the league, the atmosphere.
“It is just wonderful, even at a small stadium like Crystal Palace’s. This is what I want – just the game in a great atmosphere.
“It will be difficult not to end the season in the bottom three but if we apply ourselves and show solidarity, we can stay in the Premier League.”
The striker then revealed about his torrid time at Upton Park and insisted that the manager broke promises.
“My loan at West Ham? I made a bad choice. It didn’t go smoothly at all,” he admitted.
“The manager promised to play me considering the Andy Carroll injury. He had words he didn’t respect.
“Alou Diarra warned me but I did exactly as I pleased and I went anyway. I have been taken for a ride.
“That is the reason why I took my time to accept Crystal Palace. I didn’t want to make the same mistake twice.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt
