And midfielder confident Anelka can help team go further
YOUSSOUF Mulumbu has made goals his mission this season as he settles back into life with Albion after a hectic summer.The Baggies midfielder returned to The Hawthorns a week later than the majority of his team-mates after a busy international schedule with DR Congo.
He wrapped up last term by scoring in Albion’s astonishing final-day 5-5 draw with Manchester United – only his second goal of the campaign.
And, with no African Nations Cup to distract him midway through the new season, he is eager to get on the scoresheet on a more regular basis.
“I haven’t been looking forward to this week as I know we’ll be training twice a day!” he joked.
“But that’s part of football and I’m used to the hot weather in Africa.
“When you’re on holiday, you just think about one thing: coming back and playing football.
“This year, for me, there is no African Nations Cup.
“So, let’s get ourselves in the best condition possible for the start of the season.
“I’m really looking forward to starting.
“I want to score more goals this season.
“That’s what I’ve been thinking about during the summer.
“Last year I only scored two. This year I want to score ten!”
And Mulumbu is confident new signing and good friend Nicolas Anelka can aid him and the rest of the team in their quest for more goals as they look to build on last season's eighth-placed finish.
“Every player wants to play in a big team and with a big player like this,” he added.
“He brings experience and quality on the pitch.
“I also think the fact Nicolas has signed will encourage more decent players to join us.
“We showed we were a good side last season – but we could have done even better!
“I’m really happy that Nicolas has joined and I really hope we can do something great this season.
“He’s my friend but he’s also a good player.
“You can see in training how fit he is.
“He’s really quick and can finish.
“With Shane Long, I think they can be a good duo.
“We’ve got some friendly games coming up to get back into things.
“I think I’ll be playing alongside Claudio [Yacob] again like last year and I think we’re going to improve again.”