Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, out of contract this summer, has admitted that he has a big decision to make with regards to his footballing future, insisting that ensuring he is playing regularly is his priority over any financial benefits. The 26-year-old turns 27 next week and claims that as he enters the best years of his career, he needs to be playing, confirming that interest is being shown from abroad. Reo-Coker had fallen out of favour under Martin O’Neill and had been in and out of the team since signing for the club 4 years ago. This season he has cemented a place in the first team and claims that assurances need to be made by Villa that this would remain the case were he to stay at the club. Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund have been credited with an interest today and join the likes of Galatasaray, as well as a number of suitors from Spain and Italy who are rumoured to be interest. Nigel claims that playing is an essential factor in his decision but claims that he has ambitions of playing Europe, adding that teams in the Champions League are interested. I would suggest that playing for a Champions League club and getting regular action are somewhat juxtaposed in NRC’s case, but the midfielder is ambitious and is looking increasingly likely to leave.
“I don’t care what profession you are in, it makes a difference playing in today’s modern Premier League consistently in the team.
“Playing is the most important thing about my future. I won’t lie about it, it has been an up-and-down four years for me at Aston Villa.
“It will be a big decision to make but the most important thing is about playing football.
“You have to review the whole situation of how your career has panned out for the whole four years.
“I want to stress, it (my future) has never been financial for me. I am going to be 27 next week and it is about playing football.
“I am entering the so-called peak years of a professional footballer and I still believe the best is yet to come from me.
“It is going to be a difficult decision and not an easy decision to make but you have to do what is best for your career, your aspirations and your family.
“There has been interest from foreign clubs and most of the clubs are playing in the Champions League.
“That is something you would like to participate in and I am a footballer who has ambitions of playing at the highest level.
“You want to play in the biggest competitions and want to win things and achieve things in your career.
“I am not a footballer for the show of just being a footballer. I am serious about my profession and about what I want to achieve and do.”
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