Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira has indicated that he feels ‘mistreated’ by the Spanish Press ‘for not being a Spanish player’.
The German also believes he gets a rough ride from the media because he is identified as one of Jose Mourinho’s disciples, the Portuguese having signed him from Stuttgart in July 2010 shortly after he had taken over at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I’m never going to be one of the favourites with the Spanish media. I started the season on the bench or in the stands and now I am once again the scapegoat,” declared Khedira in an interview with German magazine Kicker.
“Even if I turn in a good performance I’m not valued. I’m not a Spanish player, didn’t cost a lot of money and am a disciple of Mourinho. I feel mistreated and I regret they treat me like that but it does not make me unhappy.
“I’m not going to be loved by the Press. All I’m asking for is respect and right now that’s not happening.”
The 26-year-old also lamented the departure of German international teammate Mesut Ozil to Arsenal in the summer.
“To lose a player of his quality would weaken any team. However, it’s true that at Madrid they have players with their own quality who can replace him,” said Khedira, who admitted that the team’s early season form had not lived up to expectations.
“We are not playing well. We have good spells but generally we make things too difficult by looking for the individual.
“It could be a matter of time but we have still not found our true level as a team.”
Khedira’s remarks will increase speculation that his future lies away from the Spanish capital, which might be an opportunity for Manchester United to make a bid for him.
The Premier League champions reportedly made a late effort to sign the player before the close of the summer transfer window and may well renew their interest.
