Aston Villa loanee Anwar El Ghazi has described playing in the Championship as “unbelievable”.
The 28-year-old winger, who is on loan at Villa Park from Ligue 1 club Lille, has made 35 appearances for the club, scoring five goals and assisting two others.
Speaking ahead of the play-off final against Derby County, the Netherlands international also rated his season in the Midlands out of 10.
“I spoke with other football players, Jose Fonte, Bruno Martins Indi, Ibrahim Afellay and they all told me it’s going to be very tough,” El Ghazi said to the Birmingham Mail.
“I was thinking, you know, I’ve played Champions League, I’ve played against big teams, it wouldn’t be so hard. Of course I knew it would be hard, but I arrived here and I saw how the workrate is, how players fight for each other, how they fight 90 minutes long.
“After the matches I’m always with ice on my legs. I get scratches on my hands – it’s very physical. Now I know how physical this league is and it’s unbelievable. I’m really enjoying it now. We are in the flow now so that’s amazing. I think I would give me 6.5. I didn’t show the real El Ghazi yet I think I can be much better.”
OPINION
El Ghazi, whose move from France to the Midlands was confirmed last August, has been a solid addition to the Championship club, with his six goals and five assists helping Dean Smith’s men get to where they are now – in the play-off final. But it sounds as if El Ghazi took the Championship for granted, and was treated with quite a nasty surprise when he began to take part in matches for Villa. Such is the way of the Championship – it may be England’s second-tier competition, but that does not mean there is any drop in fight, heart or spirit from any of the players. It can be just as exciting at times as the Premier League and it is fantastic to watch. Overall, it seems as if El Ghazi has got used to the Championship in the end and there is no reason to think he wouldn’t like another crack at it in the future.