evan Mchedlidze made the beautiful goal assist at the 94th minute in the match of “Empoli” – “Brescia”, Tavano scored and “Empoli” reached the draw (2:2), with which it kept the leadership in Serie B.
Mchedlidze is 23-year-old yet and it is already 6 years that he plays for the Georgian national team. “World Sport” contacted him in Italy and asked him also about the team issue – he speaks openly. He often got traumas during his career and this did not give him chance to move ahead. Levani is allowed to play last 10-15-20 minutes in “Empoli” and he is unsatisfied with it too.
- First of all, everybody knows, that I was not called up for the team. I said different thing in the Italian press and it was translated badly in Georgia. I have never said that I do not want to play for the national team, or it is secondary for me. I said to Italian press: it is normal, that I was not called up for the national team, because I am not playing for the club and playing for the national team is the most important for me.
- Last time there is a noise around the Georgian national team. There are recriminations. What would you say about this?
- I often looked through the press and most of all I liked the statement of Levan Kobiashvili, which was written on the website of “World Sport”. Despite the fact that “Kobi” is not allowed to play for the national team, writes calmly and thoroughly – just forget biting each other and speak about the football. Kobiashvili is a great professional. Kobiashvili, Asatiani, Kaladze, Iashvili, Khizanishvili and etc: all of them are such players, who made a lot for the national team. As for the conflict between Khizanishvili and Ketsbaia, I think that it would be better to resolve their conflict inside. I know Khizanishvili well, he cannot tolerate injustice and tries to set a good situation in the team.
- The talks are not going about the football and that is all…
- How they will talk about the football, when the coach thanks the boys after a good match and 4 days after the lost game breaks the stick on players. The coach should protect his players, but he does everything on the contrary – he makes people think about us aggressively.
- Have you ever had conflict with Ketsbaia?
- I have worked with 19 coaches during I am playing on a professional level. I had conflict only with Delio Rossi in “Palermo”. There were misunderstandings with some people, but it is not called conflict. I have not had conflict with Ketsbaia either.
- In your opinion, what the team should change for the playing side? What must happen to start a better game and get results?
- After all that happened lately, it is difficult for a player to come here and meet the healthy situation in the team. First of all, we have not a result due to this bad atmosphere. Arrival should be pleasant for the player. You come here for two days and if you watch conflict during these days, what comes out?
- I understand, now about the club: in summer there was written in the Italian press, that the contract was signed between Mchedlidze and “Parma” and the player will join the club next year. What is going on?
- “Parma” is interested in and now there is a verbal agreement. It’s just that my manager does not hurry me, he says that other teams are also interested and let’s discuss it in January. You can preview the Italian press, there are a lot of good reviews about me. There were moments that I decided the fate of the match, but I have a few time. I always did my best in order to prove my abilities.
- Is there chance that you change the club?
- “Empoli” does not want me to leave in January. Let’s see what happens. I will decide with my manager.
- Well, during the time you are in “Empoli”, have you had a real offers from abroad?
- There was from Germany and Turkey. But it happened so that the negotiations was delayed. I have contract with “Empoli” until January 2015. I continued it 4 months ago. I agreed because I want to leave a good name in “Empoli”.
- Irakli Shekiladze is not allowed play. Why?
- It is very difficult to learn their mentality from Georgia. If in Georgians rely on 17-18-year old players, here is not so. You are told that you are young yet and your time will come. Shekiladze does his best on the trainings and do not be surprised if one day he plays in the lineup. Another Georgian plays for “Empoli” and I like him. Roman Chanturia is 17-year-old and has a great future.
- We know that Roman trained with the main team of “Empoli”. Is he often trained?
- Here happens so: perspective young players are brought to the team and they train once or twice a week. Roman was born in 1996 and, as far as I know, in a month will be able to play for the reserve. The Club makes him a work visa and status of non-citizen of the EU, that is, he will not have to wait for up to 18 years old.
Ilia Nanobashvili