The controversial striker, who signed for Crystal Palace in the January window, intends to be a model professional at his new club and is adamant he is not a negative influence
Crystal Palace striker Emmanuel Adebayor insists he is not a bad apple and claims his new club's fans already love him.
The 31-year-old, who has played for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Tottenham, made his Palace debut in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Bournemouth – his first club appearance since May.
He feels he has unfairly attracted a negative reputation, but rejected the notion that he can cause trouble for his managers off the pitch.
"There is a bad reputation about Adebayor, but if you ask every single manager that I work under, maybe [only] one or two would say I am a bad apple in the dressing room," the Togo international told Sky Sports.
"I am always smiling with everyone. It is a good squad with good players and I can guarantee that the squad in the dressing room is one of the best. It makes life easier for me.
"I do not have anything to prove. I just want to enjoy my football. I have been there and done it. The fans already love me, so I have to do my best. I always have a smile on my face.
"He [manager Alan Pardew] said I have to be a leader, which means I have to set an example, I have to come on time in training, do my job professionally and that is what I am doing."
Adebayor was without a club from September after his release from Tottenham, but played down any worries over his fitness and claims he has been keeping fit by organising matches in Africa.
"I have not played a full game since May, but I think I have played more than these guys in the Premier League," he said.
"It is quite easy to organise a game in Africa. I just had to call some of my friends and tell them I was in the mood to play football. Then we would play a proper game with proper professionals."
- Goal