He came as a longed-for reinforcement. Muhammed Cham (25) arrived in Slavia with great fanfare. His involvement in Eden was discussed a year earlier, and in the summer his transfer was completed when the Austrian footballer came on loan with an option from Turkish Trabzonspor.
“The first half of the season was not easy for me because I came here to play. But at the same time, I feel that nothing has changed in my perspective. I respect the club and I don’t regret coming. It’s a process, I had to learn a lot of things. Now I feel ready for the second half of the season,” Cham told the club’s website.
He showed flashes of genius at the very first opportunity, when in the Champions League match against Bodo/Glimt (2:2) he prepared a great pass to Ivan Schranz (32), who could have secured Slavia’s opening three points of the new year of the millionaire competition in the set time.
But the much-anticipated boom did not come. Cham regularly started only as a substitute and has not yet established himself in Jindřich Trpišovský’s squad. However, he is aware of his shortcomings from the first half of the season. The Austrian footballer even proved the coaches right when he told them that he would not put himself in the lineup either.
“Already at the beginning he told me that there were several things I had to learn and that he wanted me to be ready from January. I told him openly because I had the same opinion. I didn’t feel ready. The fact that I didn’t have summer training also played a role – when I came to Slavia, the season was already in full swing,” explained the Austrian.
So far, he has managed to play 15 matches in the Slavia jersey – nine in the league, two in the domestic cup and four in the Champions League. From the opening minute, he appeared in only four matches and so far has scored two assists. Nevertheless, according to him, there was no moment during the autumn when he wanted to give up his engagement in the Czech Republic.
“I never considered leaving the club, but it wasn’t easy. My mood is reflected a lot in how I play football and the last few months have been difficult for me. I’m not the type of person to give up without a fight,” he outlined.
“At the moment I feel much better and ready to play. I said I want to play, that’s why I came here. But at the same time I understand – we played important games and if you’re not 100% ready, you can’t help the team. Now it’s different. I’m ready,” he continued.
Hard work during personal time off also helped him to improve his physical condition. Cham was not idle and worked hard in Gambia under the supervision of a personal trainer. “It was a very important time for me. I almost didn’t use my phone, I was focused on training and being with my family. At the same time, I was working with the fitness coach Bux. We trained really hard.”
Slavia has completed two preparatory matches, which will be followed by a third against the Norwegian Brann. The sharp test is coming so unstoppably. Barcelona will come to Eden, which Cham is very much looking forward to. In addition, it is clear that against a famous opponent, he will succeed in shooting.
“I will score a goal. I know it. I believe in myself a lot. The way I’m training now confirms to me that the second half of the season will be very good. I’m very hungry. I’m looking forward to it and expect a lot from myself. I want to show it,” said the Austrian footballer.
