He had just arrived in England, 1st season. Since then, he has learnt how to speak English.
He was also 18/19 there, so not very comfortable with the new attention yet, semi-celeb status.
But, hey, if I'm earning 100'000 plus british pounds a week, and Ive got Man U and Real Madrid fighting for my services, as well as most of the female population that knows nothing bout soccer wet, call me dumb. I'll be a talented, rich dumb guy with lots of pussy.