I read read an article in the Athletic yesterday which related to out old Brazilian midfielder. Not Gilberto but Denilson who was just one of many young overseas players to arrive at Arsenal during the Arsene Wenger reign and it made me think about how much we expect from them. Too much perhaps. I know it’s their choice to move abroad to enhance their career but it’s so easy to forget how much these teenagers leave behind. Their animals, parents, siblings and friends. Then they land in a foreign country, sometimes not even able to speak the language and knowing just a handful of people. Although ‘knowing’ them is slightly exaggerated as in reality, they’ve met just a handful of times before at best.
Denilson arrived in north London from Sao Paulo in 2006, aged 18 years old, older than a lot of overseas hopefuls who travel abroad to play football. But he struggled. During his interview with The Athletic about his time in England, Denilson is quoted as saying:
I suffered a lot, honestly. In the first year, everything was new to me, but from the second or third year I found it all a lot more difficult. The routine started to affect me more. The weather was depressing. The people… I lived in St Albans, in an estate with five houses, and I didn’t know a single one of my neighbours. Sometimes I flew friends over to stay with me, but it wasn’t the same thing. I felt low, and I couldn’t focus 100 per cent on my work. I wanted people around me, loved ones: my dad, my brothers and sister. My form really fell off a cliff, and that was down to the psychological side of things. There were some good moments during those five years, but I wasn’t able to produce what I was capable of.
When I arrived at the training ground in London Colney for the first time, Arsene Wenger, Thierry Henry and Gilberto Silva were there to meet me. That was like something from another world, those guys being there to welcome me. I have always been quite an introverted person. Gilberto Silva always used to invite me round to his house, but I would often feel awkward about it. He had his whole family with him and I didn’t want to get in his way. So I would stay locked up at home. Alone. Watching Prison Break. I do remember going to his house for one party. I remember [Brazilian singer/actor] Seu Jorge was there, and a few of the other players. It was cool. But I think that was the only time I went to Gilberto’s house. As I said, he was always inviting me. I would tell him I would go, but I never did.
Gilberto Silva and Denilson. (Photo: Stuart MacFarlane via Getty Images)
Denilson went on to say that he bears no grudge with Arsenal, Arsene Wenger or anyone at the club because it wasn’t their problem. He’ll certainly tell his children, grandchildren all about his years in north London but despite all the club did to help him settle, he couldn’t. He simply missed home and his family too much.
It’s easy to remember the better young overseas players Arsenal have signed over the years. Anelka, Clichy, Martinez, Martinelli, Bellerin, Fabregas, Szczesny, van Persie, Vela, Bendtner etc, but for all the ones we get to see playing in the first team, there has been many more who didn’t work out. Merida is the one who sticks in my mind but behind him are plenty of others. Having read the struggles a talented player like Denilson endured after upping sticks and moving abroad, it made me wonder how many others young players have seen their career ruined by leaving their home comforts behind too early in life.
Not the fault of the buying club at all in my opinion, after all, if Arsenal identify a great talent, why should they not enquire about his availability and make an offer? It’s up to the players representatives to protect their client which for most at such a young age, will be a family member.
Then perhaps what they see first is pound signs and the welfare of their child takes second place. I’m not suggesting for one minute they do this intentionally but money can make people do strange things. Ideally, when a teenager moves country for the sake of his footballing career, or even just for the money, they need support.
Sometimes though, perhaps more so than we ever give thought to, such support needs to be from more than just fellow players and staff. These kids need their family with them but that’s not always possible. Hardly ever I’d have thought.
So the lonely life begins…
Stay safe guys and stay healthy.
I didn’t remember Bacuzzi.
Adaptation is never easy. Some have it easier and others do not.
Denilson came from a country with a very different climate, used to seeing the sea every day and with very different habits.
If he was alone, worse.
He’d lost his mum too Jm, when he was ten years old. Moved here alone whereas Martinelli is reported to have moved here with his parents. Makes a big difference I’d imagine.
It’s very easy for us to judge players, and we all do it, but It’s impossible for us to know what’s happening in their day to day life, and it’s equally impossible for a club to know if a player will settle into his new life, so maybe we need to be kinder when judging the club on its failures as well as the players.
As Ginge always said, Denilson was a massively talented player who had dominated at the youth World Cup, and we were rapt to get him but it just didn’t work out.
Players don’t forget how to play, but if life is good, then their football will also be good.
Morning all.
Strangely I read something similar this morning from Carlos Vela , he said that really only Fabregas tried to help him and that he is grateful for the chance but regrets that it didn’t work out.
Moving abroad is a difficult thing for a youngster to do ,I left England for Spain when I was 20 got over the language barrier and settled quite well . Then again I didn’t have 30 ,000 odd people shouting abuse at me . Only the guy I was working for and a few customers.
I’d have never been able to cope with upping sticks for another country as a teenager. Certainly made me realise that life isn’t as rosy as it might seem for a young footballer. Money doesn’t solve everything.
Hi Rico and All. Please don’t take this the wrong way.
Should we look at 16-18 year old over seas players that still live at home or look for some one slightly older say 20-22 who are ready to leave to home.
As for our Academy should we fill it with home grown players up till at least 17 years old as this way they have there Family and friends to talk to and help with the pressure these kids must be under.
Were these over seas young kids have to go to England with there parents and say good bye to the rest of there family and friends then they have to adjust to a new country and learn how to speak English while trying to impress the club week in week out it has to put a lot pressure on them.
Or should soccer / football world wide just have a blanket band, and simply say that any person under the age of 18 can not play for any club over seas full stop
Top notch, Rico 👍 Well done for all of these great posts (& to Kev too), I don’t know how you do it, with not much happening on planet football right now 👍
Thrust into the spotlight at an early age, new country, new language, no familiar faces, a lot of expectation on your shoulders.. wouldn’t be for me, that’s for sure! For some it pays off, others aren’t so lucky…
Scott @2.30 👍
Hi Geoff, I’d say no because some other club will soon move in for them. Perhaps sign them but loan them back to their club. But a lot depends on the individual I think and their personal circumstances. As said, for some a move is easy, for others, not.
Scott, I think the same could be applied to players full stop and not just the youngsters. You’re right, if a player is happy and settled, it must be easier to perform each game. Xhaka is a recent example and regardless of whether we think he’s right for Arsenal, his life must have been awful whilst being abused online. Mustafi too.
Thanks Sue. I just search the Internet and go from there. 😆
rico 4:07…..your far too modest. Smashing posts during these difficult times.
I’m sure all HH’ers take their hats off to you. Keeps us going.
I delete/skip the doom and gloom articles about Covid 19 as most are just scare mongering.
So, Ajax are denied the title as the Eredivisie has been cancelled… just imagine if that happens here? Aww those poor scousers 🤣🤣
Rico, how’s Netflix going? What have you been watching?
Thank you Vcc, very kind of you.
Ozark Sue, three series and really enjoyed it. Language is colourful though. Lol
I’d love it if the PL followed the same example. Eredivisie Football was pretty similar to the PL in as far as how many games were left to play.
I’ve just started that… only 1 episode in.. Jason Bateman has aged pretty well 😁
So would I, Rico,… might reach the stage where that’s all that’s left to do…. then we really will have a tissue shortage in the UK.. as it will all be in Liverpool 🤣
Ha ha, yep he’s good Sue. Took a while to get going but thoroughly enjoyed it.
It’d be hilarious. I’d need tissues for my laughter tears..
Well as you’ve said that I’ll stick with it then!
Hahaha, Rico, it’d be brilliant, my workplace would be so quiet, apart from my laughter of course!!
Intelligent post painting a picture that we dont really know how some youngsters cope in an environment which is totally foreign to them……………………..although if Denilson wanted better weather he should have moved to Cornwall!
Been cruising around my acreage on my ride on mower, going around in circles is a great way of topping up the tan……………..think of spit roast! hahaha
Tomorrow I will attend the funeral of one of my trees!……………I have a small (just over half an acre)Arboretum and a Mountain Ash (Sorbus) has bit the dust!……………………..also have a Acer platanoides ‘Drummondii’ which has hardly grown for 15 years, I think I shall transplant it in winter, too late now!……………………any fellow tree huggers here? 😆
Did any of you two watch Hunters?
Captain Tom and Michael Ball made No 1 👍
Aboretum, Le Coq?!! There’s one near me which you have to pay to go in. Wow, people would flock to yours, not to see the trees, but to see those washboard abs!! 😄 You’d make a packet!!
Not watched that yet, Le Coq… I’m all set for Chamnel 4 tonight – Friday Night Dinner, followed by season 1 of the Inbetweeners 👍😝
Yes they are at N0 1 , shame it had to be that song always reminds me of Heysel and as such I can’t stand it.
I can’t stand it either, Potter…
In all seriousness, I think Liverpool will be crowned title winners Sue. If it were us, I’d be cheesed off with such a lead as Liverpool have. They deserve to be given the PL title.
How that would impact on the other divisions though is anyone’s guess.
I haven’t Lc.
You shouldn’t indulge Lc Sue, you’ll make him worse. He’s bad enough already… lol
I hope they’re not favoured over everyone else though, Rico, yes they’re miles ahead, but still need 2 more wins. Yes it would take the mother of all capitulations for.them to be caught, but there’s still a chance… if it was us I’d rather we’d won it, rather than just have it handed to us as it ‘looks’ like we’ll win it! 🤪
I’m sorry, Le Coq cracks me up, I can’t help it 😂😂
I`m watching MiB:International…………..before our film package goes on Thursday!, cutbacks are not just for Arsenal players , but fans too! ……………………..here`s My MiB sunglasses
😎
Chris Hemsworth in MiB:International…………………..my sons dog is called Thor, but I call him Hemsworth!……………….in a Roger Moore type voice!…………………………” Hemsworth !……..drop the ball!” 😆
What about your neuralyzer? 😄 Bloody hell my bank balance has never looked so healthy haha, only spending in Tesco!
Not the usual name I call my Parrott, but neuralyzer will do! hahaha
Every little bit helps!
Rico, yes you’re right-there’s no assurance a player of any age will settle into new surroundings.
Eerie Anzac Day, today.
No dawn Service, no gatherings.
We’ve done a little candle lighting service in the driveway as many Aussies have done.
Brilliant to hear The Last Post being played by a local Bugler-It always brings a lump to the throat.
Lest we forget.
Scott, I can never think of Anzac Day without also thinking about Gallipoli and the sacrifices made by the Australian and New Zealand troops there. Hearing the last post never ceases to raise the hairs on the back of my neck. It’s surely the saddest, most poignant piece of music ever composed.
Nowadays we are talking about young men leaving their families and countries to play a game and be well rewarded, financially, for doing so. It doesn’t compare to what those Anzacs faced up to 105 years ago.
Well said, Cicero.
We have things pretty damn good, these days.
Congratulations to Captain Tom Moore for not only raising Millions for The NHS but now he has a number one hit song in the UK ( you will never walk alone ) the same week he turns 100 Congratulations and happy birthday Captain Tom Moore
New post up now.