Source: Team_Talk
Bassong hopes to have impressed Le Guen
Sebastien Bassong admits it hurt him to miss the African Nations Cup but he is hoping to secure a place for the world's biggest tournament.[LNB] Bassong's omission from Cameroon's squad raised eyebrows after a big-money move from Newcastle in the summer and a solid start to his Tottenham career.[LNB]However, there was a theory behind the selection, as Paul Le Guen explained to his centre-back. Keeping him at White Hart Lane meant a run of games for Harry Redknapp's side rather than warming the bench in Angola.[LNB]Bassong wants to use his regular football at Spurs as a reason for Le Guen to take him to the World Cup this summer.[LNB]"Of course, it hurt that I didn't go to the African Nations Cup," Bassong admitted.[LNB]"I was talking with Harry (Redknapp) and Paul Le Guen, and he took his decision. He had his own reasons that he explained to me.[LNB]"If I went to the African Nations Cup I wouldn't be playing so he thought it was better for me to stay at Tottenham to compete for my place here and help them stay in the top four.[LNB]"I don't know if Harry spoke to him but it was a good thing, maybe the best thing for the club but not for Cameroon."[LNB]Spurs certainly needed cover in defence as Jonathan Woodgate was out with a long-term groin problem and Ledley King's knee problems meant he could not play matches in quick succession.[LNB]The result was helping Spurs maintain their push for a Champions League place, as well as reaching the FA Cup semi-final where they were defeated by Portsmouth.[LNB]Bassong has gone full circle in one year after getting relegated with Newcastle.[LNB]"Last year I was fighting for relegation and this year I was fighting for the Champions League and might go to the World Cup," said the 23-year-old.[LNB]Bassong, however, has warm memories of St James' Park, with the club putting him on the map after starting his career with Metz.[LNB]He was highly regarded in France after graduating from the Clairefontaine academy - but the Premier League thrust him into the limelight and had the likes of Arsenal showing interest.[LNB]"The Premier League is very popular in Cameroon," he said. "They are following us all the time and watching more than the French or Spanish league, maybe because it's the best league in the world."[LNB]It led to an important decision when Cameroon approached him. Should he accept or wait for his chance with France?[LNB]"There was a doubt because I used to play for the French Under-21 side and I had to make a choice," he said. "Both my parents are Cameroonian and I grew up Cameroonian.[LNB]"In my house my dad gave me the traditions, so my heart was Cameroonian but I can't say that I don't owe something to the French.[LNB]"I was at Clairefontaine, maybe the best academy in the world, so if I'm there, the French did a lot for me. People knew my situation and people in France tried to make me play for France but I have made my choice."[LNB]Bassong is now fully focused on Cameroon and determined to make an impression in South Africa after the team were knocked out at the quarter-final stage at the African Nations Cup without him.[LNB]"We have to take revenge from the African Nations Cup," he said.[LNB]"It will be different but I think we can go through the first round if we start the competition well against Japan.[LNB]"That would bring us confidence and we would see what would happen after that.[LNB]"We have Samuel Eto'o and he is a great player and captain. If he is well, everybody around is going to be well."
