Asamoah Gyan: "I work hard for what I earn"

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has dismissed criticism of his move to Shanghai SIPG.

The 29-year-old, who previously spent four years with Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, insists he wants to make his mark on Chinese football.

"I don't understand the criticism, I work hard for what I earn. I am focused on my job, "he told BBC Sport.
"They play good football (in China). I will have to adapt to their style and take it from there."

Gyan's comments come after some people in Ghana have voiced their opinion that the striker has shunned more established leagues and stronger sporting competition for the chance to make a fortune.

"It is not as if I am doing anything illegal or robbing people of their money," he countered. "I have learnt to turn the negatives into positives and so I make my decisions and understand that everyone works for money.

"At the end of my career, people will not criticise me anymore. They will move on to the next person. And at the end of my career the most important thing will be how well I did for myself, my family and those closest to me. This time is my era so I have to make sure I make the most of it."

Gyan also dismissed speculation he may lose his sharpness in a league that some people believe will not test him enough.

"I heard those concerns when I was going to Al Ain but I continued to score important goals for the Black Stars," he said. "I have always said that the most important thing is that I score goals. That is what the fans in Ghana and everywhere I play want. And I have scored goals consistently."

credit: bbcsport