Sam eyeing Salgado effect

19 August 2009 18:19
Sam Allardyce wants new signing Michel Salgado to bring a 'Real Madrid attitude' to Blackburn's dressing room. The veteran full-back has switched to Ewood Park on a two-year-deal after his contract at the Bernabeu was cancelled by mutual consent. The 33-year-old, capped 53 times for Spain, spent 10 years at Real Madrid, helping the club to two UEFA Champions League triumphs and four league titles. Allardyce hopes such a wealth of experience will rub off on the rest of his squad and Salgado can make a similar impact to Fernando Hierro, who he signed during his time at Bolton. The Rovers boss told the club's official website: "Michel is an outstanding player. This lad will bring an awful lot, not just on the field but to the club in general. "It will give us bigger status. He will demand more from the players rather than me or the coaches. "I want him to bring a Real Madrid attitude to the dressing room. That is what Fernando did at Bolton and we all benefited. "Hopefully that will be the case with Michel." Salgado is relishing the challenge ahead after revealing he almost moved to England five years ago to join Chelsea. He said: "I had a chance to come to Chelsea but I was lucky too because my team was Real Madrid. "I love the club, I was there 10 years - it is a lifetime. I am proud of playing for them for so long. "Now I want to enjoy the next two years, playing in the Premier League. It is one of the best in the world. "Not only that, it is pure football - fantastic games and a fantastic atmosphere. "This will be a good experience for me, my wife and children. I have joined a historic club."

Source: SKY_Sports