Saydee - “I’m living a happy life”

With two goals in his last two games, there’s little surprise that Christian Saydee is in a good place.

The 20-year-old striker is spending the 2022/23 season on loan at League One side Shrewsbury Town and has made an immediate impact to life at his new club.

Having starred in the Carabao Cup win over Norwich City in August, Saydee made a late window move to Steve Cotterill’s side and has made two starts for the club, scoring in each.

Reflecting on his first few weeks, Saydee couldn’t hide how much he’s enjoying his time in Shropshire: “I’m very happy!

“Reflecting on last season, where I went on a drought, it was a difficult time for me. Coming to Shrewsbury and getting game time and scoring a couple of goals is good for me.”

Saydee had spent the second half of last season on loan with Burton Albion and returned to haunt his former side with the first goal in a 2-1 win at the weekend.

His first Football League goal had come a week earlier in a defeat to Port Vale, a milestone goal which Saydee will never forget.

“Their ‘keeper had kicked it long and I had picked up the second ball.

“I drove forward with it, backheeled it to Pykey [Rekeil Pyke] and he gave it back to me and I just passed it into the bottom corner.

“When I got the chance, I wasn’t nervous or anything, I just knew I needed that first goal and when it went in, I was buzzing.”

Saydee had always been a prolific scorer in the academy teams at the Cherries and made the dream start to life with the club’s senior team, scoring and assisting on his professional debut against MK Dons in the Carabao Cup last season.

However, he had to wait 20 games for his first strike in the Football League, but Saydee is in no doubt that more goals will come.

“I’ve always known I can score goals but once I had that drought, it was difficult to get those opportunities. Once that first goal came, I felt natural, and I just want to score more. I want to do a lot more and I can’t be satisfied with just two.

“I feel like I’m in a happy place at the moment so I’m in a good place to keep doing what I’m doing.”

As well as getting accustomed to life at a new club, Saydee’s had to get used to the influx of text messages from staff at the Cherries as everyone keeps a close eye on how he’s getting on.

“I get text messages from everyone. My mum and dad, Shaun Cooper, Alan Connell, Ben Bradley, Dawn Roach – even people in the media team!

“There’s a lot of people checking in, which is nice. Sometimes clubs can send players on loan and forget about them so it’s nice that so many at Bournemouth are checking in on me.”

The staff at the Cherries needn’t worry though, Saydee is enjoying life working with Cotterill and everyone at Shrewsbury.

“I’m getting on well with everyone, so I’m settling in well. I enjoy working with the gaffer, he’s helping me get better every day. The staff are all nice too - I’m living a happy life!

“The gaffer has such hunger and drive! He’s the type of manager who always wants more and I think that’s making me a better player, there’s no room to get comfortable as he’ll put you in your place.

“At the same time, on a normal day, you can go and speak to him so he’s got a great balance!

“I’m just going to keep enjoying my football, get fitter, get stronger and try to score loads more goals and I’ll see where that takes me.”

Photos courtesy of AMA.