Yannick Carrasco has hit back at perceived criticism of leaving Atletico Madrid to the Chinese Super League, stating he ‘needed’ more game-time.
The Belgian winger joined Dalian Yifang – who have lost all three of their league games and have failed to score – from Los Rojiblancos in January.
“In football, you are always criticised regardless of whether or not you move clubs,” Carrasco told an interview with Diario AS.
“In life you are always faced with complicated decisions and this was one for me, but the truth is I needed to change clubs as I was not playing enough minutes.
“We have a World Cup this summer and I needed more game-time and to have more regularity to be able to fight for my place.”
Carrasco is tipped to be in Belgium’s 23-man squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
