Making An Ambitious Move
Footballers regularly talk of how ambitious they are, but a couple of recent transfers have shown that players have different ideas about how to further their careers.
It’s a familiar scene, the press conference for a club to unveil their latest signing. While holding up a replica shirt with his name on the back, the new recruit tells of his delight at being there. He goes on to explain how impressed he is with the set-up, and that, after realising the club’s ambitions matched his own, he had no hesitation in signing.
So many footballers in this position talk of how ambitious they are, and any player looking to make the most of their career has to consider the size and aspirations of a club, the standard of the league in which they compete, and the on-field challenges a move will present. Money and geographical location also come into the equation.
A couple of transfers in the UK over the summer were interesting, both for the choice of club, and the reactions they provoked.
Chelsea signed Ross Turnbull on a free transfer, after the 24 year old goalkeeper rejected the offer of a new deal at Middlesbrough. There was some surprise at the move, given that Turnbull was not an automatic start at the Riverside. When Chelsea presented him to the media for the first time, Turnbull had to deal with suggestions that he had only been signed to satisfy Uefa rules regarding the number of home grown players in Champions League squads. It was also widely reported that he will begin life at Stamford Bridge as third choice keeper, behind Peter Cech and Hilario.
Turnbull responded by saying that he believes the move will enhance his career. He also felt that, with Chelsea likely to be challenging on a number of fronts, and potentially playing around 60 games over the course of the season, his chance will come.
The move from a recently relegated club, to one of the top sides in Europe, seems like a fairly easy decision for any player given the chance. However, will it allow Turnbull to develop as he expects to? He could have stayed at Middlesbrough, established himself as the number one keeper and built his reputation. Then, if he decided to move on, he could join a new club in a position of strength, with a far greater chance of being brought in as a first team regular.
However, that would be a risky strategy. An opportunity like this may never present itself again and Turnbull clearly felt he had to go for it. While there will be those who say he will be paid handsomely for sitting on the bench, or in the stands, Turnbull had to take this chance. Even if the move doesn’t work out, as a goalkeeper he will still have years ahead of him to forge a successful career elsewhere.
Marc-Antoine Fortune was expected to join Hull City from AS Nancy, after a relatively productive loan spell at West Brom during the second half of last season. Fortune had other ideas, and instead joined Celtic, teaming up once again with Tony Mowbray, his manager at The Hawthorns. While working with a manager he already knew was a factor in his decision, Fortune also spoke about the size of the club, and reportedly signed a contract which will earn him £10,000 per week less than he would have earned had he moved to Hull.
Predictably, there were claims that Fortune’s move to the SPL was a mistake. He’s moving to a league where the same two teams fight it out for the title each year, and the standard of football is lower, so he will find it easier to be amongst the goals. Each of these points may be true, but he’s also joining a club which regularly plays in front of 60,000 fans, and some form of European football is guaranteed almost every season.
Fortune also received some praise from the Scottish media for making what appeared to be a purely footballing decision, and not simply moving to the club offering the largest salary. That said, Fortune will still earn a great deal during his time in Scotland and is hardly likely to be pleading poverty.
Fortune’s decision throws up the question of what is the more ambitious move, joining a top club in a lower ranked championship where there is the chance of winning something almost every season, or moving to a team in one of footballs major leagues who are not expected to be challenging at the top of the table. Is helping an English team stay in the Premier League, really more of an achievement than winning the league in France, Holland or Portugal?
20 years ago, a player with the option of signing for the likes of Ajax or Benfica, or a team set to finish in the bottom half of the league in England or Spain, would more than likely have gone to one of the former. Today however, the high profile and financial clout of the English Premier League and La Liga, mean that some of European Football’s most famous names could lose out on players to potential relegation candidates.
Of course, achieving career goals doesn’t have to involve changing club. How refreshing it would be to see, for example, Ashley Young ignoring speculation linking him with the likes of Man United and Real Madrid, and committing his future to trying to help Aston Villa break into England’s top four.
That would be a real sign of ambition.
Interesting article William, I too was surprised about Turnbull’s transfer to Chelsea. I wish him the best of luck. Even if he doesn’t get many first team games, I’m sure the experience of training with top class players and coaches will benefit him. He can always move on in a year or so and use that experience at another club.
I also think that more English players should follow Fortune’s example and move to maybe less renowned leagues where they have more chance of winning silverware and playing European football. I did think Tyrone Mears was a good example, leaving Derby last season to go to Marseille, but he’s since swapped that for what will probably be a relegation battle at Burnley.
Geoff, thanks for your comments. I think for Turnbull it was too good an opportunity to turn down. He wasn’t in the same position as say, Shaun Wright Phillips or Glen Johnson, who had offers from more than one big club.
Good point also about players moving abroad. I think there’s a bit of insecurity amongst English players, particularly the internationals. They are possibly concerned that it’s a case of, ‘out of sight, out of mind’.
I think Spain are a good example of a team who’s fortunes have improved since more of their players moved to other countries.
Good article.
I agree players often do sign for whatever club is offering the biggest amount of money. For example Adebayor has jumped ship to Manchester City, who are almost doubling his salary. In one small move, he has given up the chance to play Champions League football.
I feel the Ross Turnbull move is a good one for the player. The chance to work with world class coaches and players will only surely increase his ability.
Definately think there is a general apathy from English players to foreign leagues, even the top ones such as Spain or Italy. Could be several factors in that, when younger players are taken on at a young age by clubs in Europe they adopt some social responsibility and continue the players education academically as well. Maybe we should encourage more of that, maybe help them learn languages – seeing as they could use that in their chosen vocation of football, and in other career avenues should they not be as successful as they hope.
While language is one issue, I also think footballing mentality is as well. Players here are used to concentrating on power and speed, rather than on technical ability and tactical awareness. Either way, fear of the unknown is there. They should look at the example of the great Sir Bobby Robson who said of working abroad that he only intended to do it for 2 years, but loved it so much he stayed away for over 10. England’s national team would definately benefit from the experience of players playing in other leagues.
When I wrote a Spain preview for the Euro’s last year one comment I made was that I thought they’d benefit from having players like Torres and Fabregas abroad, just to add that something extra to their game.
I’m surprised more English players don’t go abroad. I thought Lampard would try his luck at Inter Milan when Mourinho went there – would have been a good league for him to play in.
Maybe when/if these players ever do go abroad maybe England be better in the major competitions. The last time they reached a semi final they had players playing or who had played in foreign countries.
Guys, thanks for your comments. In addition to Adebayor, I was surprised by Toure’s claims of a lack of leadership at Arsenal. Surely as an experienced international in a squad of talented young players, he could have remained and acted like a leader instead of jumping ship.
I will be interested to see how Jermaine Pennant performs in La Liga this season. It’s a great opportunity and could open the door for others to follow. I would also expect fans in Spain will see a different Xabi Alsonso when he turns out for Real Madrid.