Wanyama will shine in England, says Di Matteo

Former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has tipped Harambee Stars skipper and Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama to have an illustrious career in the English Premier League.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Daily Nation on Wednesday in Nairobi, the 2012 UEFA Champion’s League-winning tactician also said that Wanyama’s move to Southampton should open opportunities for more Kenyan footballers to play in England.

“Wanyama has made a very important step for Kenyan football. He now has a big responsibility of raising the profile of Kenyan football and exposing football talent in this country,” the Italian said at the Hotel Intercontinetal in Nairobi.

The former Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion manager, who was on a one-day tour to Kenya to promote Guinness Football Manager, an international programme aimed at promoting football in Africa, exuded confidence that the Kenyan holding midfielder who recently made a Sh1.3 billion switch from Scottish giants Celtic to the Saints will enjoy his football in the lucrative English league.

“I am here to exchange views and opinion in football and see what needs to be done.”

The soft-spoken Italian also challenged local football officials to raise the performance of the national football team if Kenya is to export more of her football talent to Europe, saying that having players in the EPL and other top leagues go hand in hand with FIFA rankings.

“It is important that the national team does well. A lot of European scouts will be watching and the local players need to take advantage of the opportunity,” he said, adding that Harambee Stars should strive to participate in the African Cup of Nations more frequently as well as the World Cup as this will boost Kenya’s football.

Kenya ranked 36th

Kenya is currently ranked 36th in Africa and 126 globally in the latest Fifa rankings which puts her way off the EPL bracket which requires players who join their league to come from countries ranked above position 70 globally. Kenya has participated in five editions of the African Cup of Nations, the latest being in 2004 in Tunisia, but has never qualified for the World Cup.

Reflecting on his coaching career, the former Lazio, Zurich and Chelsea midfielder ruled out returning to the touchline this season as he wants to “take a break and have more time with his family.”

“Coaching is all about pressure. At this point in time I am taking a break to rest and be with my family.”

On the English Premier League season that kicks off  this weekend, Di Matteo backed Arsenal  to  have a “spectacular” season but was quick to add that it will be  an interesting race  as the top three teams (Chelsea, (Manchester United and Manchester City) have  changed managers.

The Swiss-born manager became the first Chelsea coach in their 108-year history to guide the Blues to their first UEFA Champions League title in May 2012 when they beat German giants Bayern Munich on post-match penalties at the Allianz Arena.