Mensah: I’ll be a Rock for Black Cats

Sep 16 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

Mensah’s journey from Obuasi to Sunderland has been a long one.

He had a spell with Bellinzona in Switzerland, as well as Bologna, Genoa, Chievo Verona, Modena and Cremonese in Italy, before he moved to France with Stade Rennais and eventually champions Lyon.

The 26-year-old, who captains his country, has initially moved on loan to Sunderland.

However, it is a move that he would like to make permanent as he is determined to prove himself in the fast and physical world of the Premier League.

He said: “I’m excited to be here. I have arrived from a big team to another big team, Sunderland have great potential and have some great players.

“I’m not worried about turning my back on Champions League football with Lyon. All of this squad are playing well and they have some very good players.

“I can see from the bench that we have a strong squad, so I hope if we can continue in this way we will climb even higher in the league.

“I can’t predict whether we will do this or that, but I’m sure with this squad we can get even higher than where we are.”

And, although he was happy in France and enjoyed the style of football in Ligue 1, Mensah – who is line to start at right-back against Burnley on Saturday as Phil Bardsley has a knee injury – found the lure of the Premier League was too strong to turn down Sunderland’s advances.

He added: “My agent spoke to me a lot about the English Premier League. I used to watch it a lot on the television, so it was not all about talking to other players about it.

“I have played for many teams in Europe, I’ve played at the World Cup, so it’s good for me to get used to playing different styles.

“This league is special, it’s the most competitive league in the world and it is spread around the world. Every team runs fast, it’s physical and the mentality of the game is faster than the rest. This is my first time in England but I’m sure I will get used to it.”

It can often take African players months, if not years, to fully acclimatise to English conditions, but having left Ghana when was just 17, Mensah does not worry about adjusting.

He said: “This is my first week in England and I’m told it will get colder, but I used to play in Switzerland, Italy and France and it got cold. I just want to play. I’m a centre-back, but I can play anywhere. I prefer to play there but I’m happy to help the team. I play for the interests of the team.”