Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury has wasted little time in cementing his position at new club Jiangsu Suning.
Featuring exclusively on Friday’s Daily Football Show, Sainsbury spoke about playing for one of the Chinese Super League’s biggest clubs, having a former Chelsea star for a teammate and Tim Cahill’s return to the A-League.
Now having recorded over 20 appearances for Jiangsu Suning after a high-profile move back in January, the 24-year-old successfully adapted to his new environment with little challenge and the team is in red hot form.
“The football side of things is going well, I’ve played a lot of games now,” said Sainsbury.
“We had a goal at the start of the year to make it into the Champions League qualification spots and to do well in the [Chinese Super] Cup, now we are in the semi-finals.”
Though according to the centre-back, just as good as the football the team plays is the atmosphere created every week by their devoted supporters.
“It’s definitely special…after a home win as well everyone gets involved and sticks around for a half hour,” said Sainsbury.
“Plus there’s some pretty hard ultras over here that always want to have a bit of biffo with the opposition.
“35,000 fans cheering you on is always a pleasure.”
Sainsbury was not Jiangs’s only star acquisition, however, as Brazilian playmaker Ramires also signed from Premier League club Chelsea at the beginning of the year.
“I’m a Chelsea fan as well and now I’m rooming with Ramires every away trip…you just realise that they are normal, down-to-earth people,” he said.
“Playing against him in training is always a good learning curb, he’s definitely worth the money they paid for him – he’s unbelievable.”
Having spent time in the same competition as fellow Socceroo Tim Cahill, Sainsbury believes the striker’s return to the A-League to play with Melbourne City will benefit all involved.
“I think it’s the right time for Timmy…I think it’s the right time for Australian football,” said Sainsbury.
“It would probably eat at him if he didn’t go back to the A-League at some point, and it will cement his opposition as the greatest Socceroo of all time.”
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