Ashley Cole is just one more of those footballers who has managed to develop a ‘difficult’ reputation via parts of his country’s media, social media and the perception of some fans. But whenever I’ve met him and interviewed him, the experience rips those perceptions to shreds. Whatever he’s like to negotiate with when he wants a new contract, I know that he’s a thoughtful, interesting and articulate guy when you are talking about football. Committed, too.
I’ll never forget John Terry describing to me the lengths Cole went to in order to overcome a muscle injury and be fit for the Champions League final in Moscow – pain, lack of sleep and almost 60 straight hours of physio and rehab to make the impossible possible.
Thus I was pleased to hear him confirming something now that he’s rolled the dice on the last few years of his top-level career being spent in Rome. The full-back said: “English players are probably afraid to come abroad, they’re in a comfort zone in England.”
It’s broadly true of all players from the British Isles. Fear of learning a language, inability to cope with restaurant menus which go beyond meat and two veg, complacency – fear of the alien.
There are contradictions and exceptions, of course. Given my love of the spice and variety of continental football it’s not a surprise to me that I’ve stayed in touch with and respect very much men like Steve Archibald [Barça], John Collins [Monaco], Steve McManaman [Madrid], Alan McInally [Bayern] and Chris Waddle [Marseille].
But Ashley Cole has pointed to something which I think is both sad and which contributes to the lack in the UK of nous, the lack of maturity and intelligence which it takes to form top-class international footballers and teams.
Challenging themselves to perform at one of the continents powerhouse clubs will lend any footballer – even the best – a new dimension, both in sporting and personal terms.
Researching my book on Spain and their historic treble I spoke to Gaizka Mendieta, who played in Spain, Italy and England and has chosen to stay and live near London, and he insisted that any talented player benefits from the experience of stepping outside his comfort zone.
Gaizka: “When the French team won the World Cup [in 1998], 12 of the 14 players they used to win the final were playing their club football abroad but, at that time, not one of our [Spain] guys was. Having footballers with experience abroad definitely benefits the whole team. It won’t automatically make you a better player, but it makes you more of a man, a more rounded footballer with a bit of world experience. It changed everyone’s mentality, players, fans, media, when that some of us went abroad. Suddenly, people were interested in other leagues and that opens your mind.
“There are a number of different factors in creating a successful team – the players, their innate talent, the manager, the directors, the federation, the group dynamic, timing and so on. But having the right mentality is crucially important. Spain was a nation which made it to the quarter-finals and no further. We were in a rut and needed to make that mental leap, to start believing that we could compete with Germany, France, with everyone.”
Change the nation in that penultimate sentence from Spain to England and see how it fits?
Raúl, crown prince of the Bernabéu and utterly embedded in all things Madridista (ie no less umbilically tied to Madrid than Gerrard to Liverpool, Lampard to Chelsea, Ferdinand to United) admitted once he was leaving the Bundesliga that he should have moved there sooner – broadened his horizons when he was still at his peak.
Raúl: “These two years have been absolutely extraordinary. I will never forget that and from what I have seen the people won’t forget me that soon either. I have enjoyed every match and every journey. I have really felt euphoric, because everything just fitted perfectly. Everybody had told me about them, but you when you see it by yourself, how they feel their club… it’s almost like a religion. It’s just wonderful. I’m not just saying it, to play for Schalke has been one of the best experiences in my life. I have no words to express what the fans have given me. To pay back their love I should have scored more goals. I have felt at home here, like at Madrid for over 17 years”
I know one or two people were surprised at how highly I praised Gareth Bale’s behaviour and attitude from day one at Madrid [I think the end of season proved my point] but, to me, just his determination to play at the world’s most pressurized club at an age which will lead to his prime was worthy of total respect.
May he, and Cole, begin a flood of Scots, English, Irish and Welsh who are ready to prove that sometimes in football it’s just as good to arrive as to travel hopefully.
Main image: Football.ua