Centerback Lindrit Kamberi is open to playing for Kosovo, and he also spoke about the situation he went through at the beginning of the season in Zurich, during an exclusive interview with Telegrafi.
The 25-year-old has been a part of Zurich for many years, but this season has been a bit different. He has been on the bench for several games, which had not happened before.
In a long interview with Telegrafi, Kamberi admitted that he was surprised to see himself on the bench, but believes that with his excellent performance in the defeat against St.Gallen, he regained his starting spot.
“I played the first four games from the start, then the coach decided a little differently (someone else in my place), but in the last game against St.Gallen I came on after 20 minutes, I believe that with that performance I returned to being a starter.”
“It’s normal that the competition is great in the defensive department, normal that I want to play every second, every minute, but this is part of the game. We had two or three losses and I understand the coach who made this decision.”
Lindrit Kamberi
“It was a surprising situation for me too because I didn’t expect it, but I’m always prepared, so as I said in the last game I came on after only 20 minutes when we were losing 0-1 and that’s why I’m pleased,” he initially said.
Asked about his goals, Kamberi was clear: To score at least four goals and end the season with Zurich in the top three of the Swiss elite.
“I want to be more successful in the coming years. I would like to achieve the maximum to enter the top five European leagues. With patience and work, I believe it can be achieved.”
“The objectives for the rest of the season are especially to score like last season, so I scored four, I want to score at least the same and reach as high as possible with Zurich. With the quality we have, we should be in the top three at least.”
Lindrit Kamberi and Bledian Krasniqi
Kamberi also did not hesitate to talk about the Kosovo national team. He publicly confirmed that he is open to playing for the Dardanian team.
“It’s normal that we see Kosovo as an opportunity, every Albanian player from Kosovo has it as a goal, it’s something that could be a dream for me.”
However, the center-back announced that he has not had any contact with Franco Fodan, and the last contact with FFK was several years ago.
“No, I have not had contact with the selector Franco Foda, although I had him as a coach, but I had contact with the Federation two or three years ago, but there was never anything official. They have not offered me any project, but I am waiting, I am patient. I know what I can offer the team, they know me very well there. Football is like that, work and patience is how things work.”
“Franco Foda has a great advantage because he is a native of Germany and Austria, especially with Albanians who are abroad. Language connects them as well as culture.”
Kamberi was also at the stadium on the day that teammate and close friend Bledian Krasniqi made his debut for Kosovo, where he revealed that the latter told him that it was an indescribable feeling.
“I spoke to Blediani every day because I’m a close friend of his. I asked him when he made his debut for Kosovo, I was actually there at the stadium because I wanted to see Blediani. I was proud of him and I believe it’s an indescribable feeling.”
Despite not having been contacted by the FFK recently, Kamberi followed Kosovo’s historic victory over Sweden, which he stated surprised him and expects the “Dardans” to strengthen even more within a short period of time.
“I watched the last Sweden game at home with my parents and it was an unusual feeling because it was a great achievement for Kosovo to play against Sweden, a European giant. I am confident that Kosovo can achieve much higher because the quality has increased a lot in the last two or three years,” he emphasized to the Telegraph.
Kamberi has otherwise defended the Swiss colors in the U19 and U20 age groups, where he has made six appearances.Telegraph/