Height not big issue for Leicester new boy Musa
Leicester's record signing Ahmed Musa admits the best decision he ever made was giving up goalkeeping to become a striker so feared that he is looking to make an immediate impact on the Premier League.
The 23-year-old Nigeria international moved to the King Power Stadium for £16.5 million (19.7 million euros) from CSKA Moscow earlier this month and, having given up his goalkeeping ambitions as a schoolboy because of his diminutive stature, the 5ft 7in tall forward has no worries about coping with the physical challenge of the English top flight.
Musa became a striker while still at school when he decided to hang up his goalkeeping gloves.
He believes it was a decision that made his career, which has now taken him to England as a short-term understudy and potential longer-term replacement for England striker Jamie Vardy, who is six years his senior.
But Musa believes the pair could also operate in tandem.
"I was a goalie between 10 and 12," he revealed.
"But changing was the best decision of my life because I would never have been good enough to become a professional goalkeeper.
"It was difficult at first but then you get used to the fact you are not very big. A lot of people used to tell me 'Musa, you are too small to be a striker.'
"But I said: 'It doesn't matter what size you are, it's what you can do that matters'.
"I think I am like Jamie Vardy. I have speed, I like to work hard, we are similar in lots of things.
"Am I faster? I can't say yet, I have never played with him. But I am looking forward to finding out!
"I'm looking forward to playing with Vardy. I like his style. I think we can fit well together.
"I think this is the right time for me to join Leicester. Last season, they were going after the title.
"This time we are starting afresh -? that's why I chose to join them this season.
"I'm from Nigeria and all Nigerian players would like to play in the Premier League. I think this will be a good league for me."
Musa also admits he has been stunned by the Leicester work ethic in pre-season training.
"When I started my first session I was thinking 'wow'," said Musa.
"Because I have never seen that in Russia -? but now I am getting used to it
"The intensity here is quite different to Russia. Here it is a little bit harder, in Russia they are more laid back.
"I think that is the most difficult thing, but I think that is the secret behind Leicester's success.
"Everyone is focussed and everyone is happy with each other. That's the biggest secret -? if you're all happy with each other you can achieve a lot."