Inkoom in bid to ensure WC with Ghana has no distractions

Ghana’s Samuel Inkoom is a player certainly worth keeping an eye on this summer. The 25-year-old right back who currently plies his trade for Greek side Platanias, on loan from Dnipro had an impressive World Cup with his country four years ago in South Africa.

Blessed with pace, bundles of energy and tenacity in the tackle, Inkoom is expected to be charged with keeping the likes of Luis Nani (Portugal) and Mario Gotze (Germany) at bay in Brazil. It is undoubtedly a tough group that Ghana find themselves in, and Jurgen Klinsmann’s USA side will also be no slouches.

Inkoom, though, will remember the hurt caused by Uruguay and more specifically Luis Suarez at the last World Cup, as the Liverpool striker illegally blocked a goal-bound effort at the end of extra time. A shot that would have sent the Black Stars through to the semi-finals for the first time in their history. There seems to be a steely resilience in the camp this time, and they are 9/4 to qualify from Group G.

The player has attracted the attention of many of the elite clubs around Europe, including outfits in the Premier League, with Everton linked recently. Although there has been an urgency to complete any deal before the start of the World Cup, it seems potential suitors are going to have to wait, with Inkoom focused on his country.

“I am only focused on the World Cup at the moment and giving everything for my country as I did in South Africa 2010 where we reached the quarter-finals,” Inkoom said.

“I believe we have the quality, experience and team spirit to go even further this time around.

“I have left all the interest and talk about my future in the hands of my agent .

“Only when the World Cup is over, then we will sit down and discuss the best direction for my next move.

“Until then, I want zero distractions.”