Only one goal this year and now benched for the third time in four matches against BK Häcken on Sunday. At the same time, Astrit Selmani is rumored to attract interest from other clubs, such as Lecce in Serie A and Clermont in Ligue 1. But now the forward wants to make it clear that he is doing very well in Hammarby and make a mark against the speculation that surrounds him.
The 25-year-old says after the 2-2 meeting with Häcken that he thinks he will stay in Bajen.
– I have not heard anything else. There are rumors here and there, but I have not actually heard anything myself. That’s honest. You know how honest I am. If there had been anything, I would have said so. But I have not heard anything from the club or my agent, says Selmani.
– Then it is clear that rumors appear. But what is 100 percent true I do not know. I heard Axén say that it was a sign that I was sitting on the bench, but I have not heard anything. He can take my number and call me if he has any “inside”. I have no idea. It is difficult when there are voices from other places, who have more control than I have in my life. It is difficult.
Axén is Alexander Axén, an expert at Discovery +. He said during Sunday’s broadcast that the bench against Häcken is a signal from Hammarby to Selmani’s agent that he should arrange a sale.
– He has his job and that’s what’s nice about him, he says what he thinks. I respect it 100 percent, that he has his opinion. He probably knows things, that’s not what I’re saying. But it’s a lot of talk. Fans think I want to go even though I have not said I want to go.
Selmani continues:
– There has been a lot of talk about me saying that I refuse to play, but I have never said that I refuse to play. I am first to every workout, am there every workout and I am happy every workout. I’ve never had a fight in a workout. There is a lot of talk about how I am but there is no background around it. Anyone with a thought is welcome to call me.
– I have not shown dissatisfaction in training at any time, when I am on the bench I push the others and when I get to jump in I do my job. It’s not like I’m shitting on the team. I will always be behind the team, no matter what happens. There’s a little too much talk about me wanting to go when I have not said anything about it.
About the fact that he sat on the bench again against Häcken, he answers:
– It’s as it is. Football is like that. There is nothing I can do but go to the trainings, train more and show that I want to play. In the end, it is he (coach Marti Cifuentes) who makes the decision. So is football.
– I work on and work on what he wants me to do. I’m there every workout, I train extra and I do everything I can around. And if I do not play, I still have to be there for the team. I contribute a lot in the locker room even though I do not play. It’s just to keep going.
Selmani became Hammarby’s most expensive purchase of all time when he joined from Varberg before last season. He has a contract with Bajen over 2024.
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