Calm & Confident Wanyama Impressed by Impact Quality

Montreal Impact’s experienced midfielder Victor Wanyama faced the press via videoconference this morning looking calm and collected and dealt eloquently with the questions presented.

A bit like his on-field performance against Olimpia, in fact.

Almost certain to make his MLS debut in Thursday’s match-up against New England Revolution, it will be a very different scenario from his last outing at former club Tottenham. That evening, last December, he performed as a late substitute, his only appearance under Jose Mourinho, in front of a Champions League crowd of over 66,000 in Munich’s Allianz Arena. On Thursday evening, there’ll be a bunch of coaches, subs and medical staff and a host of empty seats...

But he’s optimistic about the group Montreal Impact have assembled for 2020.

“We have a good young squad. Technically a lot of good players all over the pitch. It’s just a matter of time [before] we all click together and then we can surprise many with the quality we have and the plan the manager has for us. It’s just a matter of time.”

Although having found it difficult in COVID-times to settle into a new city, Wanyama gives the impression he’s come out the other side relatively unfazed. There’s an air of assuredness about him and no signs of uncertainty as he embarks on the latest stage of his career with a new club...

“I’ve played football a very long time. I just want to try and help my team. I understand the basics and know what I need to do from my manager or my coach. I don’t feel I have anything to prove.

“Really just want to help my team, give my best in every game I play, and the rest? We will see where we can be.

“So I don’t feel pressure or anything. I want to go out there and play football, help my team-mates, do my job and enjoy myself.”

You expect nothing less from someone who has played senior international football from the age of 15, scored for a winning Celtic team over Messi’s Barcelona in Champions League and claimed the English Premier League Goal of the Month (Feb 2018) with a 25-yard rocket past a groping Lorus Karius right in front of Anfield’s Kop...