The German international completed his transfer from Bolton on Wednesday and immediately began training alongside his new teammates at Carrington, where the Manager expanded on what he likes about his latest signing.
“There’s experience to start with, leadership qualities, and he plays all the games if you look at the record over the last couple of seasons,” says Pearce.
“He’s achieved everything in the game that you could possibly want to, European Cup medals and international honours - he’s got everything. If you have got more winners like him in your squad, you are going in the right direction.”
Didi’s arrival swells the ranks of the midfield after the close-season purchase of Ousmane Dabo, but Pearce is adamant that the 32-year-old’s adding to the competition for places will push the team in the right direction.
“Like everyone-else in the squad, he will be in there and fighting for a place. When he came into training on Wednesday, he did not want any short cuts. We gave him the option of whether he wanted to take it easy with the running we had planned for the afternoon, but he did not take that option. That’s the mark of the man, but I did not think he would anyway. I think he have a good acquisition here.”
The player himself also recalled playing alonside his new boss during the season he spent at Newcastle United, and he is certain that that what he saw from his former team-mate has continued into his management career.
“There was always 100% commitment from him, even then when he was 34 or so. He tried his best at every training session and tried to encourage other players. He’s carried that over into management, he lives football and that’s a good thing,” says Didi.
