SZABI Schön is feeling right at home in Bolton, even though mastering the mother tongue has been a challenge.
The Hungary international has impressed for Wanderers in the first third of the season and is back in the squad for tonight’s game against Mansfield after sitting out the 1-1 draw with Cambridge United through suspension.
After answering questions from the local media on Monday afternoon, Schön feels he is also making progress with the language, with more variation than he had experienced as a player with FC Dallas earlier in his career.
“English is very different, and when I signed it was very difficult,” he told The Bolton News. “I respect the language so much and it is a different culture here, so I have a different accent too.
“I do my best to learn more. Eoin Toal is the hardest to understand, I told him several times to speak easy for me, please.
“In America it was easier to speak, easier to understand, there was no real accent. But as time goes I can understand more and more.
“I watch TV, Premier League football reports and interviews, but not all managers are English or Scottish, so it is still hard for me. I think I am getting better.”
Schön feels he is also getting to grips with League One football after some early issues, which has also helped him tackle the language barrier.
“In Hungary it is good but coming here there was different quality, team-mates, culture, it was a lot, and it took a month just to fit in the team,” he said. “But I am a guy who likes to speak to everyone on and off the field, so I think it will get better.”
A move to England has also rekindled his international career, and he appeared for Hungary against Germany last month to earn what was his first cap for two years.
“I am really happy, it was so quick,” he said. “It is always an honour to represent my nation and to get a call, especially after changing club. It looks like I am in a good club and doing well, and finally I made some minutes after two years.
“From Blackpool to Germany, it was strange, but I enjoyed both games.
His substitute appearance in the second half of a 1-1 draw in the Nations League also saw him wear the number nine shirt but Schön says he it was not an audition to change position.
He said: “It is kind of famous, I don’t know why I had it because I was playing as wing-back. They said no matter what number I play I had to be happy. It was just great to be out there and playing in the game.”
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