THE Babis Kostoulas he is living the dream of every young footballer. From its infrastructure departments Olympiakou until his transfer to Brighton and his first Premier League goal, the 18-year-old striker talks about his childhood idols, his father and brother, his love of football and the ambition that drives him.
In an interview at Athleticthe young international explains how he deals with transition of the world’s top league and what it means to him to chase it every day next step.
What he said in detail:
On his Premier League spell: “I was watching Manchester City, I really liked Aguero. They won a lot of trophies, but mostly I watched Aguero. Because, as a child, I always played with older people. And I was always short, and he was a short striker. So I imagined I was Aguero. He would get the ball, turn and finish. He had a very good shot.”
On his dream of playing in the Premier League: “I watched the Premier League more than any other league. It is a goal for every player. I dreamed of coming to the Premier League. I just didn’t think things would come so fast!’
For the comparison with Batistuta: “This is just for fun, a joke. I’ve only seen Batistuta on YouTube. I don’t remember him playing. That was before my time. My name (in Greek) is Charalambos, and Babis comes from there.”
About his father, Thanasis Kostoula: “I watched him from the field, but most of the years he was playing, I wasn’t even born. I have watched many reruns on TV. Football was different back then. He was a strong defender. I was proud to see him.”
For the brother and his family: “We always played against each other, with me as the striker. We also played against my father, but he was lenient with me when I was a child. My grandfather on my mother’s side played locally in Greece as a striker, so maybe I inherited that from him.”
On his pressure and ambition with Olympiakos: “I never thought of it that way. I always wanted to become a champion in Greece with the club where my father played. I knew the club had to win the league. I was sure that if I played, I would have a chance to win it.”
On his transfer to Brighton: “It was difficult to change everything, I was there for many years. I’ve supported the club all my life but in one year in the first team I did what I had to do. The opportunity came for me for the next step and I had to take it for my future.
Brighton give young players a chance and develop them. I knew them. I didn’t watch them play-by-play, but I had seen a few games. They also played in Europe two years ago against a Greek team (AEK in the Europa League groups).
I didn’t know anything about Brighton as a place by the sea. When the deal came close, they showed me everything. The training facilities are excellent. I walk a lot on the beach. It’s nice.”
On the high transfer price and expectations: “I don’t think about it much. Brighton have trusted me with this money and I’m ready to show my worth. I have this passion that I can’t lose. I will give my best on the field to win.”
On his position on the field and his goals: “Mostly last year, I played as a second striker. I like it maybe more, I can be in both positions (No. 9 or No. 10). My goal is to get better at everything, help the team achieve the goals we have set this season and enjoy everything, play a lot of games and, of course, score goals. That’s why I’m here, that’s what I like the most, like any striker.”
Source: Sport Fm
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