Crystal Palace’s newest signing sat down with Palace TV for his very first interview after signing from Real Betis – check it out below…
“I was interested in coming here because of the history of the club, and the league in which it plays,” Riad told Palace TV.
“They have been telling me how they played this year and I think it complements perfectly the way I play.
“[It is also] because of the fans – especially because of the interest they showed in me from the beginning. They made me feel at home and that’s why I am here.
“I have dreamt of playing in the Premier League since I was a kid. As you can see, it’s is the best league in the world with excellent players, and I'm really looking forward to playing [here].”
Riad has had plenty of stellar names to discuss his move with, having worked under former Premier League winner Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis, as well as many others who have featured in the English top-flight.
“I haven’t spoken to the coach about this [move], but he has given me 100 percent support for coming to this new adventure,” Riad explained.
“It’s true that I have spoken to my teammates like Pablo Fornals, who played in the Premier League with Marc Roca. They have told me that I'm going to enjoy this league and I hope [I will].”
Riad hopes to slip straight into Oliver Glasner’s free-flowing style of football, having come through the academy at Barcelona and idolised several defensive legends.
“I would describe myself as a calm footballer, but with grit,” he said. “I would describe myself as an aggressive footballer who knows how to think, who doesn’t get carried away by the tension of the moment, and who is intelligent. I think I can fit in perfectly in Crystal Palace.
“When I was a kid, although I haven’t seen [Paolo] Maldini play, I did admire him a lot. [Raphael] Varane as well. Those are two players who really caught my eye.”
Now, he has a chance to replicate both players by facing some of the world’s best forwards week in, week out – and developing as a result.
I would describe myself as a calm footballer, but with grit.
—Chadi Riad
“Honestly, in a league like the Premier League, all the forwards are top-notch,” Riad explained. “There are players like Erling Haaland, forwards from these big teams, that I really want to play against.
“The truth is that the Crystal Palace squad has top-notch players who are young, and honestly, I have come here to follow in their footsteps and to grow as they have grown.”
Riad is excited to be joining up with Glasner for pre-season, with the two already in contact over the former’s role in the side.
“Before coming here I have spoken to the coach and the truth is that he has given me a lot of confidence, a lot of calmness and confidence to come here,” he said. “We have spoken about the game plans and, as I've said before, I think it fits perfectly.
“I’m really looking forward to it. [Palace] have an excellent fan base, the pitch looks welcoming and I'm really looking forward to playing [at Selhurst Park].
“My personal goals are to grow as a footballer, to learn from new experiences, to learn from the experienced players, to learn from everyone and to simply improve myself as a footballer and grow both on a personal and footballing level.”
His final message was for the fans themselves, before stepping out at Selhurst Park for the very first time.
“I just want to say thank you very much, because you are already showing me support on social media.
“I'm really looking forward to playing for Crystal Palace and helping the team as much as possible.”