Delhi Dynamos FC have roped in Ghana’s left-back David Nii Addy for the upcoming season of the Hero Indian Super League to strengthen their defence and the 26-year old is hopeful about his new team’s chances in the upcoming season of the league.
The Lions’ manager, Gianluca Zambrotta had also spoken about the Ghanaian’s signing. He said, “David is a strong defender with great natural talent who will add power to our defense. He has spent time in Africa and Europe, and also holds great experience having played in the Europa League.”
The defender has previously represented various European clubs before his sojourn to India, and has tremendous experience at the age of just 26. He had started his career with Ghanaian side Inter Allies and subsequently signed for Danish Superliga side Rander FC in the year 2008.
Even though he made just 23 appearances for the Danish club, he had the pleasure of featuring for them in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers and made three appearances in the tournament.
He was then bought by Portuguese giants FC Porto in 2010 but spent both seasons on loan – first at Academica de Coimbra in Portugal and second at Panetolikos in Greece.
However, the Portuguese club let him go in 2012 as they already had players in that positions. Addy next signed a two-year deal with Belgian Pro club Waasland Beveren, where he was a regular feature.
The left-back spoke to Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview where he talked about his career and what’s in store for India:
Have you been to India before? How has the experience been so far? Has it been tough to acclimatise to the conditions in India?
No. This is the first time that I’ve come to India. The experience has been good so far as I have just come here three days ago. I am loving the food here as I like spices. I’m also enjoying the weather which is very different from Europe. It’s positive for me that it’s not as cold as it in the places I’ve played before.
The change in weather is huge but I have to cope with it because that is what is required from any professional player.
You had a pre-season tour of Europe. How are the preparations been going?
We had a good pre-season in England and Sweden. We have a good team which seems hungry to get onto the pitch.
What are your expectations from the upcoming season?
So far everything has been good here at Delhi Dynamos. The training with the lads has been fantastic. We have been working hard to achieve something in the coming season. Also, it is only my first time in India and I have seen that the ISL is also improving season by season.
I hope we can achieve something good for the team and the city of Delhi. I have also been impressed by the work-rate of some of the Indian players.
You have a new coach in Gianluca Zambrotta. Can you describe his training methods and how his coaching has impacted you?
Our coach was a great player himself. He is one of the best full-backs the world has ever seen. Even though it is his first time coaching a big team, I think his philosophy is quite good. I have previously played under some good coaches and Zambrotta’s style is similar to all of them.
He has done a good job with the team in pre-season and I’m looking forward to playing under him as he can help in improving my game as well.
How would you describe Zambrotta’s philosophy?
His training is very Italian in every sense, as he likes his players to run and to pass the ball with fluency. He has also tried to teach us one or two new things about the way he wants us to play. He has played at the highest level so it makes it easier for him and for us to understand him.
He shows us what to do and we listen to him. There is always intensity in whatever we do in training and it is great signs for the team as the manager will show everyone what he can really do in this role.
You are one of the international players in your Dynamos team alongside Florent Malouda and other Indian players. So what have you made of the Indian talent that is in your team. Do you think they can compete with Europeans?
I think the quality in India is not bad, they can compete with Europeans. We have one or two good Indian players in Milan Singh and Anas Edathodika. Souvik Chakraborti is also a good talent as he has perfect concentration on the field.
What the Indian players need to learn is how to make the transition from defence to attack. It is important for them to quickly grasp the mental aspects of the game. They have quick feet so I think they can play as well as the Europeans do.
You have previously played for Portuguese giants FC Porto and have now come to India. Which areas do think the Indian younger players need to improve on?
Indians are very good with their feet but they are a bit inexperienced. For instance, a player like Souvik has good feet but he needs to develop his game more mentally. I feel that the Indians are a bit scared to play.
But I think if they can focus on getting some experience under their belt and understanding the transition between defence and attack, then they can be great players.
As a professional player, there are plenty of things you need to focus on. The most important thing is to keep your concentration during the game, and I have seen that they lose it quite a bit. So if the coach can tell them and switch them on in training. then I think they can play well in the future.
So you mean to say that playing with your mind is as important as playing with your body?
Yes! If you have good feet but do not have the right brains, you cannot succeed in football. In European football, the transition is quick from defence to attack but here the players sleep sometimes and that is where Indians need to improve on.
Their quality is good, and the mind is also correct but this is a long learning process which can transform a good player into a great player.
There is also the aspect of coaching which is very important in the game. Football is a learning process where you need good coaches to teach you various things. As time goes on, with good caoches coming to India, I am hoping that everything will be great for India.
You have represented Ghana at the highest level. What do you make of your national team?
Ours is a football loving country which has always produced some great players. I have been lucky to play for the national team. When it comes to playing as a unit, it is a basic fundamental of the game which can only be learned through experience and I had that experience during my time with the national team.
Who is your closest Ghanaian teammate and why?
Dede Ayew (known as Andre Ayew who plays for West Ham United in the Premier League) is my best friend at the national team. Whenever we meet at the national team, we train, travel, and eat together. He has always been my tight crew as we have played together many times.
Sulley Muntari is also a player with whom I share a lot of good moments. Whereas, Stephen Appiah has been a great advisor to our team. He keeps on motivating me and I am very close to him.
What do you expect to get out of your first season with the Delhi Dynamos?
I am very excited about coming to India and playing in the ISL. The club management has shown a lot of faith in me, and have given me a chance to play for them this season. I intend to prove to them and the fans that I can add to the team’s performance, and I hope to win the ISL in my very first season with the Lions.
