ASIANS are simply not good enough for the English game.

Posted on August 1, 2008Filed Under Weekend Question
ASIANS are simply not good enough for the English game.
So says Peter Kenyon, chief executive of England’s Chelsea Football Club.
And looking at the number of Asian stars who are flourishing in the Premiership, it seems like the Blues supremo’s declaration may hold some truth after all, however controversial it may seem.
The Postman’s Weekend Question:
Do Asian players have what it takes to succeed in the rough and tumble of the English Premiership?

Very few Asians made it to the European leagues and there won’t be many in the future. The odd successes like Park Ji Sung, Nakamura, Nakata were the only gems from Asia. Why?First, the physique. Asians playing Asians, no problem. Asians against Europeans or South American, BIG problem. Skills alone would not get you out of the crunch situations.Second, the mentality. In Europe or S America, footballers are born to eat, sleep and play football from a very young age. In Asia, there is still the niggling doubt that football will provide food on the table.Third, infrastructure. In the football academies of Englsnd, Holland, Spain, the boys are taught proper skills and attitude from young. The clubs prided themselves for nurturing their own players. In Asia, only Japan or S Korea have such established infrastructures.With all these factors stacked against Asians, no wonder few of our players make it to the European leagues.

Published in New paper on 3 Aug/4 Aug