Jean-Philippe Gbamin admits that Everton team-mate Salomon Rondon played a part in his decision to leave the Premier League strugglers for a spell in Russia with CSKA Moscow, speaking to Soccer RU.
After eight league games in two-and-a-half years on Merseyside, if anyone needed a fresh start and a clean slate, it was Everton’s £25 million forgotten man.
Gbamin joined CSKA this week, moving to Moscow on a short-term loan deal.
The former Mainz ace is now following in the footsteps of Everton team-mate Rondon, the veteran striker who spent six months in the Russian capital last year before returning to England under former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez.
“Did the negotiations go quickly? Yes, fast enough,” Gbamin explains.
“My agent contacted the club and we sorted out the formalities in a short time. I am very glad. I want to give the team everything that I am capable of.
“At Everton, I asked Salomon Rondon about the city, about the people who play and work for CSKA.
“He gave the most positive response about Moscow, the club and the fans who passionately support the team and said that I would like everything a lot.”
Can Gbamin kick-start his career in Russia?
The arrival of Gbamin, albeit on a short-term deal, has certainly divided opinion.
Vladimir Ponomarev, a former CSKA defender, went as far as to describe the transfer as a ‘stupid’ decision.
He wonders how Gbamin can be expected to make an immediate impact when he’s only started one game all season long and sorely lacking in match sharpness.
But the 26-year-old insists that, while those concerns are understandable, he is chomping at the bit and desperate to put three miserable seasons behind him.
“I’m in good shape now, although I haven’t played for a long time,” Gbamin adds. But I’ve been training. I hope that I will show the fans everything that I can do.”
CSKA are currently fourth in the Russian Premier League table, eight points adrift of leaders Zenit St Petersburg.
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