Flashback:
[Not fully-clear if he Chopra means just before he returned a second time to Cardiff; or as was previously-reported, prior to his first Cardiff loan.]Feb 6 2009 by Mark Bloom, Western Mail
Michael Chopra is aiming to shoot Cardiff City into PremierMICHAEL CHOPRA has vowed to forget his top-flight frustration as he prepares to start a third spell at Cardiff City.
But, as the 25-year-old returns to the Bluebirds in time for their Championship clash with Charlton after his deadline-day switch from Sunderland this week, the striker has admitted he felt he was never given the chance to shine in the Premier League.
Chopra was whisked off to the top flight in 2006, the Black Cats stumping up £5m for the frontman after his 22 strikes in 44 Bluebirds appearances.
Yet a troubled time, on and off the field, saw him return to South Wales in October, only for new Mackems manager Ricky Sbragia to offer him renewed hope of a future on Wearside.
But, having managed just one start under the Scot, Chopra’s future was spelled out as the club attempted to land Tottenham’s Darren Bent, a move that would have further limited his opportunities for action leading the player himself to question the decision to recall him.
And Chopra, who also revealed he was wanted by Cardiff’s Championship rivals QPR, insisted he knew then linking up with trusted boss Dave Jones once more was the right way to revitalise his career.“Everything is good and I’m pleased to be back,” said Chopra, who has signed a loan deal until the end of the season, but with an option on a permanent deal thought to be worth between £3m and £4m.
“But, in an ideal world, I would have liked to have kept the original loan deal going a bit longer. At the time I thought I might have had a chance when I went back to Sunderland, but it was not to be.
“The managers who picked the team up there might think differently, but I would say I didn’t have a fair crack of the whip.
“And when you’re playing in the Championship every week and then go back to the bench it gets a bit disappointing and disheartening, I was back at square one and back to the same position I was in before I went to Cardiff.
“I don’t even know why I went back – maybe it was just because the manager wanted to sell me in the transfer window, I don’t know.
“I didn’t have any regrets about going back because I thought I could get a decent run in the team and my heart was in it.
“But then I knew they were trying to get in another striker in Darren Bent and that would have put me further down the pecking order. I just wasn’t prepared to hang around like a spare part – it was time to move on.”
Chopra made his move on Monday, Cardiff filing the paperwork with seconds to spare to ensure he can play a part in the club’s promotion push.
And the former England U21 international insisted just knowing Jones will give him a chance to prove his worth in front of goal all over again has boosted his confidence.
“The best thing is to get out and play football because that’s what I love doing,” he said.
“People said that I should have stayed, but what’s the point staying and not playing. I would be working and training hard all week and Kenwyne Jones and Djibril Cisse would be getting the nod before me.
“Here I have a fresh start knowing that if I do that then, more often than not, I’ll be playing every Saturday.”
Chopra will have his work cut out to fight his way into a winning side, Jay Bothroyd and Ross McCormack doing a superb job of leading the line and Cardiff’s push for a top-two spot in recent weeks.
But Chopra, who achieved cult status in his first spell in South Wales after a goal-laden debut season following a £500,000 move from Newcastle, has made no apologies in trying to force 16-goal Scot McCormack from the top of the leading goalscorers pile.
“When I was up at Sunderland I always kept a close eye on Cardiff, it has a special place in my heart and I have so many good memories here,” he said.
“And am confident that I can now help shoot Cardiff City into the Premiership.” Western Mail
qprreport.blogspot.com/2009/02/qpr-youths-viareggio-world-cup.htmlNovember
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Chopra Set to Join...Cardiff!-
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Mark Bloom, WalesOnline Michael Chopra rejoins Cardiff CityCARDIFF CITY are on the verge of pulling off an audacious coup by signing Michael Chopra.
- The astonishing deal will be tied up on Thursday morning after a day of talks between the player, his club Sunderland and Bluebirds chairman Peter Ridsdale this afternoon (Wednesday).
- Chopra is flying down from the north east to sign for the Bluebirds on a two month loan deal, which lasts until the end of December.
- Chopra, sold by Cardiff for £5million to Sunderland, comes back into the Championship to get regular first team football, after falling out of favour with Roy Keane in the north east.
- Ridsdale fought off stiff competition from QPR, who also wanted Chopra, to land his man. Ironically, Chopra's first game back in the blue shirt will be against QPR in Saturday's Loftus Road clash.
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City boss Dave Jones has been desperately seeking a new front man after injuries to Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd.
In landing Chopra, a huge terrace favourite during his time with City, the Bluebirds appear to have struck gold. FULL STORY: See tomorrow's South Wales Echo" South Wales Echo
SPORTING LIFE - CHOPRA SET FOR LOAN MOVE -Out-of-favour Sunderland striker Michael Chopra is set to join former club Cardiff on a two-month loan deal.
- The 24-year-old joined the Black Cats from the Welsh club in a £5m in July last year but has since fallen down the pecking order and has made only one start in his five Barclays Premier League appearances this season.
- Coca-Cola Championship club Cardiff are desperate for reinforcements up front after injuries to Ross McCormack and Jay Bothroyd and Chopra represents the ideal cover.
- Chopra, who was also linked with QPR, is expected to finalise his move on Thursday. Sporting Life
qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/chopra-supposedly-set-to-joincardiff.html
