Zambia national football team coach Patrice Beaumelle says he is confident that many English Premier League clubs will be chasing clubless Jacob Mulenga’s signature.
The Chipolopolo striker has left Dutch side Utrecht FC following the expiry of his contract.
According to the club’s official website, Mulenga, 30 is one of seven players and coach Jan Wouters who bade farewell to the club after its final league game against Vitesse which they won 2-0.
In an interview yesterday, Beaumelle said Mulenga had all it took to play in the English Premiership.
“I am very close to Jacob. I knew that he was leaving Utrecht FC a long time ago. I wish him all the best. For any player when you have a will and you want to go somewhere, it is always good to go,” he said. “For me, he can do well in the Premier League. He has the strength; he has everything to do well in the Premier League. So, I wish he could go there.”
Beaumelle said he was confident that Mulenga would weigh his options in the EPL.
“Jacob did well last season; he scored a lot of goals. This season, he was injured. I am sure he has some good options in Europe. He was motivated to go to Europe. It is never easy to go that side. I wish him the best,” he said.
Beaumelle also said he would be happy to have the striker in camp for the June 6 international friendly against Japan in the US.
“I wish (Jacob) gets away from any injury because he was injured at sometime. I wish he will enjoy his football now. I am sure he will enjoy very soon with a new club. I am very happy for him and I am looking forward to have him with the Chipolopolo,” he said.
Beaumelle said he had been monitoring the performance of all Chipolopolo players abroad.
“When they are on the field, they just have to concentrate. Of course, I am following them. I know that he scored two or three goals in the last three weeks. Just like James Chamanga scored a hat-trick 10 days ago. I am very happy when any Zambian boy performs; (Emmanuel) Mayuka scored last week as well. I am following every player,” he said.
And Beaumelle said the national team, comprising local players, would regroup this weekend for their monthly camping at the Olympic Youth Development Centre.
“On Sunday we regroup and start training on Monday up to Wednesday. I will have the meeting today yesterday with the president Kalusha Bwalya and we will let you know about the players that will be in camp,” said Beaumelle.
Phiri J
May 17, 2014 at 2:14 am
He is not upto the challenge,I would luv to see him play here but he is below par.Football here is competitive.Can do well in SA.Here he will rot on the bench.
NTONGO
May 17, 2014 at 7:47 am
Jacob is a good player. The biggest problem is that every time we rely on him to lead the frontline, he is always injured. We really wanted him to play against Ghana nonetheless he was injured, Hi injuries are like those of Robin Van Persie. I HAVE LOST INTEREST IN HIM BECA– USE THE CHAP IS EVER INJURED EVERYTIME WE DESIRE TO UTILIZE ON COMPETITIVE MATCHES
Asilikale
May 17, 2014 at 11:32 am
Phiri, if you know Jacob Mulenga you wudnt say he will rot on bench, am wishing him the best he signs for any epl club to prove to u he is a missing puzzle in epl
DitA
May 17, 2014 at 1:06 pm
Hes better than one Sanogo I know.
kakufita
May 17, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Has any club made offers