Turkish forward Kazim-Richards focusing 'more on football, less on media'

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish forward Colin Kazim-Richards said Monday he will not be worried if Corinthians seek attacking reinforcements for the forthcoming Brazilian season.

The 31-year-old former Arsenal player struggled with inconsistent form and injuries in 2017 after joining Corinthians from their Brazilian rivals Coritiba.

The departure of former Manchester City striker Jo, who joined Japan's Nagoya Grampus after scoring 25 goals across all competitions for Corinthians last year, has reportedly prompted the reigning Brazilian Serie A champions to seek a new high-profile striker.

"I have played in seven or eight big clubs," Kazim-Richards told reporters. "Corinthians are very big and we need to have options. There's no problem if the club seeks two or three players. This is Corinthians and we have to be strong. I have to focus more on my football and less on the media right now."

Kazim said he is determined to make a positive impact as he enters the final year of his Corinthians contract.

"Do you think I came here for a holiday? I came to play. The coach believes in my football and I have to believe in myself otherwise I'd be better off staying home.

"If a new striker comes, great, he will be my brother and we' ll work together. I'm going to work hard to be a starter as always. I'm focused on playing football."

Kazim-Richards, whose club career has also includes spells at Galatasaray, Blackburn Rovers, Feyenoord and Celtic, has been capped 37 times for Turkey's national team. Enditem