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Michel's English mission
Birmingham City, 12:58, March 14, 2010
Birmingham City star Michel is working around the clock to improve his English as he attempts to acclimatise to the Premier League.
The Spanish midfielder has had to wait patiently for his chance since completing his £3million move from La Liga side Sporting Gijon in January.
He finally made his debut for the Blues in the midweek win at Portsmouth and didn't disappoint after several fleeting appearances from the bench previously.
However, Michel is convinced further opportunities will come once he gets to grips with the language, having arrived at St. Andrew's unable to speak a word of English.
To date, the 24-year-old has been reliant on the club's resident interpreter Giles Bickford or failing that, his own trusty guide to help him and his girlfriend get around the City.
He said: "Yes, I did have a pocket dictionary on me at all times, especially when I wasn't around all my colleagues all of the time.
"I'm learning everything about how things work here in England and I'm doing English classes a few days a week.
"The dictionary is particularly useful when I go to a restaurant or I go out to buy something in a shop.
"Learning English was one of the priorities when I joined, alongside getting on with my colleagues.
"After a few months I hope to be able to pick up a bit and make some progress.
"The most important words that I've started to pick up in English are just basic commands to use during a football game, like 'man-on' and things like that.
"I have no set programme or timescale, I just want to make progress as I go along and learn something everyday from my colleagues.
"Hopefully I'll be able to answer a few questions in English soon."
