GERMANY: Fans of FC Cologne say they are sad to see striker Lukas Podolski leave for Arsenal but that the team will survive without him

Record ID: 861767

  • Title: GERMANY: Fans of FC Cologne say they are sad to see striker Lukas Podolski leave for Arsenal but that the team will survive without him
  • Date: 2nd May 2012
  • Summary: COLOGNE, GERMANY (MAY 1, 2012) (REUTERS) COLOGNE PLAYERS WALKING ONTO PITCH FANS WATCHING FC COLOGNE STRIKER LUKAS PODOLSKI TRAINING PLAYERS ON PITCH VARIOUS OF PODOLSKI TRAINING VARIOUS OF FAN WEARING PODOLSKI T-SHIRT (SOUNDBITE) (German) FC COLOGNE FAN, ELMAR PETZ, SAYING: "It is of course possible for him to play football here at FC, but sometimes there aren't enough possibilities. However, if he doesn't change his attitude he will not have a chance in England. He has to show more willingness, which he didn't always do here." FANS WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (German) FC COLOGNE FAN, STEFANIE KRAFZIK, SAYING: "I wish him luck and hope it was a good decision for him. Of course I think it is a shame for the club."
  • Embargoed: 17th May 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • City:
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA7XUOMA76UNNWKBTXJ2HPP86AW
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  • Story Text: Fans of FC Cologne gathered to watch their team train on Tuesday (May 1) after the news emerged that striker Lukas Podolski had agreed to join Arsenal and feelings on the player's departure were mixed.
    Podolski will join the London team next season, the two clubs announced on Monday (April 29), ending months of speculation regarding the future of one of Germany's most exciting players.
    The 26-year-old, the relegation-threatened side's leading scorer this term with 18 Bundesliga goals, has long been a target for several top European clubs and had a year left on his Cologne contract.
    An Arsenal statement said Podolski, who will join fellow Germany international Per Mertesacker at the London club, had agreed a long-term deal for an undisclosed fee.
    Generally fans said they would be sad to see him go but that the team would continue without him.
    One fan had a word of advice for the departing player.
    "If he doesn't change his attitude he will not have a chance in England. He has to show more willingness, which he didn't always do here," said Elmar Petz.
    "I wish him luck and hope it was a good decision for him. Of course I think it is a shame for the club," said Stefanie Krafzik.
    "It is a shame for FC Cologne that Podolski is leaving because he has scored a lot of goals but a team is not only one person and not just one player. I think the new players which arrived last season, can show us that the team is not just about Poldi, and that they can bring fresh air to the team. If they are relegated then of course it is a shame but they they can start again," said Camille Despierre.
    Despite his most successful Bundesliga season so far, he has been unable to secure the top-flight future of his team with a game left to play in the season.
    Cologne are in 16th place in the relegation playoff spot with 30 points, two above Hertha Berlin.
    Arsenal are third in the Premier League thanks largely to the goals of main striker Robin van Persie. Podolski is likely to line up on the left wing of Arsene Wenger's favoured 4-3-2-1 formation.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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