Having returned from the Olympics, Wanderers striker speaks to the club website about his Team GB experience and aims for the future
Marvin Sordell is enjoying being back at Bolton Wanderers following his involvement with Team GB at the London Olympics and cannot wait for the new season to begin.
Following the Olympic quarter-final penalty shootout defeat against South Korea at the Millennium Stadium last weekend, the striker marked his return by starting in Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.
The 21-year-old enjoyed his experience at the London games and believes every member of the team can return to their respective clubs with their heads held high.
“With regards to the Olympics, obviously I would have liked to have featured a little more, but it was a fantastic experience. To represent Team GB with the country hosting the games is a once in a life time opportunity,” he said.
“To be training and playing with the likes of Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy is something I will learn from and the experience will stand me in good stead for the future.
“Giggs is one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League and the ultimate professional- to learn off him every day is good in itself. Hopefully I can take what I have learnt this summer into the upcoming campaign.”
Away from the football side of the games, Sordell says that being in attendance at the opening ceremony and staying in the Olympic village was also a fantastic experience.
“To be at the ceremony and the Olympic village was remarkable and it was a pleasure to be there,” he confessed. “Being around various athletes from different sports and countries all around the world was unbelievable because it is something that normal footballers are not used to.
“Unfortunately we did not really have the opportunity to mingle and get involved with such athletes. We only spent a few days in the Olympic village because most of the time we were on our travels with playing matches across the country.
“It was a busy schedule. Every three days we were somewhere else; play one day, travel the next and then train and prepare for the next match the day after that. It can tire you out.”
The former Watford forward admits that it was disappointing that the side could not progress further and come away from the tournament with a medal. However, he is adamant that all involved can proud of themselves and what they achieved.
He insisted: “We did well and we were unfortunate to get knocked out at the stage we did. I believe that we can all come away with our heads held high and that when we look back at our performance throughout the games, we can be proud.
“The standard of the South Korean penalties were probably as high as they could have got. They are a good side who took us all the way and fair play to them.”
Now that Sordell has returned to the Reebok he cannot wait for Wanderers’ npower Championship campaign to begin. He insists that he is aiming to show everyone not only what he can do, but also what the team can do as they look to bounce straight back to the Premier League.
“I am enjoying being back with the squad and raring to go for the season. I am extremely looking forward to the chances I am going to get in the campaign- the squad is full of quality so I am confident I will get the service to score the goals,” he said.
“I feel sharp right now. I am desperate for the season to get going so that we as a team can show everyone in the league what we can do.
“Throughout the summer the fans probably thought about the relegation but now it is a new season and a new chapter. We need to go out there and show that we are good enough to be in the Premier League and prove that we are the best in this league.”
Throughout the summer whilst involved with Team GB, Sordell played at both Wembley and Old Trafford and is targeting playing at such stadiums more regularly in the future.
He added: “Being given the opportunity to play at legendary stadiums is a once in a lifetime thing with Team GB. However one day I would like to be playing at such stadiums on a regular basis and that is what I aim to do.
“Playing in front of crowds, like at the Olympics, is what every footballer dreams of doing. I have had a taste of it now and I want to do it more in the future.”