AARON RAMSEY has pointed the finger at Juventus for his recent fitness problems.
The former Arsenal man will lead Wales in the absence of Gareth Bale for tomorrow’s World Cup 2022 qualifier against Czech Republic in Prague.
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Ramsey played in all four of the Dragons’ Euro 2020 matches but the frustrated 30-year-old believes he has struggled to play on a regular basis in Italy due to the club’s training regime.
Wales boss Rob Page admits he would love to see midfield talisman Ramsey, who is in his third season in Serie A and has 18 months left on his Juve contract, back in the Premier League.
Ramsey, who has missed the last two Juve games due to ‘muscle fatigue’, has started only one game for the Turin-based club this term but insists he can contribute more if he is managed correctly.
Rambo said: “The training philosophy and methods are different in my club from here with Wales.
“There are a lot of people here who have a number of years of managing me so they know how to get the best out of me and how to help me to play a lot of games in a row, like I showed at Euro 2020 this year.
“I’m capable of doing that and producing good performances.
“Because my outputs in games are pretty high, maybe I need a bit more rest and recovery throughout the week rather than maybe being on the grass for a long period of time.
“The way that things have gone, it’s not helping me personally. I know what I can do.
“I know with the right management I can stay fit for a long period of time and play a lot of games. I’m still feeling good when given the opportunity and managed correctly.
“Of course I’d like myself to be playing more. It’s been frustrating.”
Wales boss Rob Page admits he would love to see midfield talisman Ramsey, who is in his third season in Serie A and has 18 months left on his Juve contract, back in the Premier League.
But the 67-cap star is now just focusing on trying to help his country reach the Qatar finals next year.
It’s a crying shame he’s not playing week in, week out and I’d love to see him in the Premier League
Rob Page
Ramsey added: “I’m just happy to be back involved in an environment I’m used to. I’m looking forward to this week and we’ll deal with everything else afterwards.”
Page feels it would be good for the midfielder to get back to the Prem – where his talents can be fully appreciated.
The Wales boss said: “It’s a crying shame he’s not playing week in, week out and I’d love to see him in the Premier League.
“Supporters need to be watching him and see what he’s capable of. Watching him in training, he does things that take your breath away.”
Meanwhile Page said his team will have no hesitation in walking off the pitch in Prague if they are subjected to racist abuse.
Bale said recently he would have no hesitation in leading his team back to the dressing rooms if he felt the abuse was too much.
And the coach said: “Of course it is. If it’s that bad and we think it’s completely unacceptable.
“We all stand together and if if needs to be done then we’re absolutely prepared to do it.”
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