Dabizas wants to stay in top flight football

By Matthew Jones
May 31 2003

Greek defender Nikos Dabizas is determined to pursue his Premiership dream despite facing up to the harsh reality of a future away from St James's Park

Greek defender Nikos Dabizas is determined to pursue his Premiership dream despite facing up to the harsh reality of a future away from St James's Park - The Journal Reported.

And Dabizas insists his best years are ahead of him. "I would like to stay in the Premiership," explained the experienced centre-half.

"I think I've proved myself in this league and feel I could do a great job for another English club.

"The game here suits me but I will go to the club where the manager and the board persuade me that they need me as a player."

Dabizas wants to work for a coach who values his worth: "I was signed by Kenny Dalglish and within a few months he was gone." he said.

"Since then I have played for managers constantly looking to bring in their own players. That's only natural but it would be nice to play for a manager who wanted me at the club in the first place.

"The manager who proves that he believes in me as a player will be the next manager for me."

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic are just two of the Premiership sides keeping an eye on Dabizas. It is understood a number of Nationwide League clubs are also interested, but Dabizas explained: "I don't want to drop into the lower divisions because I'm at the peak of my career.

"If I can't find a Premiership club then perhaps I will have to look abroad.

"Maybe Holland, Spain, Italy, who knows? Wherever I feel there is a fresh challenge.

"A lot of clubs in Greece would be interested in talking to me and there are several clubs back home involved in European competition.

"My old club Olympiakos are in the Champions League most seasons and, having tasted that standard of football, I would like to play there again.

"I have to consider my options but at the moment anything is possible."