Emmanuel Agbadou knows he must adapt quickly to the Premier League, having been welcomed to English football with three away games, but the early signs are positive.
The central defender enjoyed a winning start to life in old gold on Saturday, helping Wolves to an Emirates FA Cup win at Bristol City while starting on the left side of Vitor Pereira’s back three.
The 27-year-old is now facing his Premier League bow, with trips to Newcastle United and Chelsea in the next week, and he knows if he’s to instantly help his new team, he needs to continue his positive settling in period quickly.
On a successful debut
“I did enjoy it and with a win, which is more important, we go into the new round. I’m very happy to make my debut and I think I didn’t play bad. It’s a good debut because in the FA Cup you’ve got a chance to play against any team, in the Championship for example, and I just want to see the team go through all the time.”
On comparing Saturday to Ligue 1
“It’s not the same. Even playing against a Championship team, they never stop. It’s transition, transition, transition. You don’t have time to stop. It’s very different.”
Welcome to the family, Emmanuel 💛 pic.twitter.com/BdzOnT6rB2
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 12, 2025
On a quick turnaround
“I’m excited, but I need to adapt myself very fast. I don’t have much time, but if I want to help the team, I don’t have a choice. I like the challenge and I’m here for that.”
On the move to England
“I spoke with many players from my national team, Willy Boly, Simon Adingra, a lot of players, before I came. I knew the Premier League before I came, but on Saturday I felt things for the first time.
“It’s a dream. When you play football, you want to play in the Premier League, because there's a lot of good players who play here. The dream has come true, so I want to enjoy it. I want to play like I know.”
On Pereira’s message
“He told me he needs me because I’m fast and in England you need to manage the ball in the defence, so that’s why he took me. He likes my quality with the ball, and he thinks I can be a good defender for the team. The team has helped me too.”
