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Right attitude needed for EPL transition - Chelsea's Monk
Published: Tuesday | April 9, 2013
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad:Attitude and aptitude must go hand in hand if Jamaica aims to produce players capable of competing at the highest level of professional football on a consistent basis.
Such is the opinion of David Monk, senior international football development officer, at reigning European Champions Chelsea FC, who is currently touring the Caribbean as a part of the coaching staff of the Digicel KickStart Clinics.
In recent times, the country has produced a few players who have managed to make their mark on the world stage, specifically with the likes of Ricardo Fuller (Stoke), Ricardo Gardner (Bolton), and more recently Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) successfully plying their trade in the English Premier League.
Fruitless spells
In fact, several players, having shown enough potential to make the initial move to England in particular, suffer miserable fruitless spells of football, before being sent on loan, a precursor to permanent departure from the club.
While implying that it is difficult to speak to individual cases and regions, Monk pointed out that the approach of players to the sport, regardless of their talent level, goes a long way in ensuring success and longevity.
"It's difficult to point out what someone is missing in terms of a culture or a region," Monk told The Gleaner.
In fact, no matter where you are from only two per cent of players make it professionally, so it's a pretty level playing field."
He, however, dismissed notions that success in the sport was simply due to luck of the draw or a predetermined destiny, hinting that despite having obvious talent, some players struggle to deal with the effects of perceived success.
"Taking the opportunities is important, it's not necessarily a case of destiny, but about the choices that a player makes," Monk said.
"Of course, though it also has to do with the structure around you, the communities that you are from, your parents and the people around you, these factors shape your attitude towards the game. Talent is one thing, but no matter where you are from, you have to have the right attitude to the game."
At the same time, the coach hailed the intervention in this regard of regional telecommunications company Digicel and the annual KickStart Clinic, which he believes will go a long way in creating an environment for talented, young players to be successful, not only in terms of honing their skills, but also their mental approach to the sport.
"Digicel has put in this structure over the past few years, and it's a good thing. We come here now with it (clinics) already in place, so it is a very good platform to develop from."
- Kwesi Mugisa
Digicel has put in this structure over the past few years and it's a good thing.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...s/sports7.html
Published: Tuesday | April 9, 2013
PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad:Attitude and aptitude must go hand in hand if Jamaica aims to produce players capable of competing at the highest level of professional football on a consistent basis.
Such is the opinion of David Monk, senior international football development officer, at reigning European Champions Chelsea FC, who is currently touring the Caribbean as a part of the coaching staff of the Digicel KickStart Clinics.
In recent times, the country has produced a few players who have managed to make their mark on the world stage, specifically with the likes of Ricardo Fuller (Stoke), Ricardo Gardner (Bolton), and more recently Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) successfully plying their trade in the English Premier League.
Fruitless spells
In fact, several players, having shown enough potential to make the initial move to England in particular, suffer miserable fruitless spells of football, before being sent on loan, a precursor to permanent departure from the club.
While implying that it is difficult to speak to individual cases and regions, Monk pointed out that the approach of players to the sport, regardless of their talent level, goes a long way in ensuring success and longevity.
"It's difficult to point out what someone is missing in terms of a culture or a region," Monk told The Gleaner.
In fact, no matter where you are from only two per cent of players make it professionally, so it's a pretty level playing field."
He, however, dismissed notions that success in the sport was simply due to luck of the draw or a predetermined destiny, hinting that despite having obvious talent, some players struggle to deal with the effects of perceived success.
"Taking the opportunities is important, it's not necessarily a case of destiny, but about the choices that a player makes," Monk said.
"Of course, though it also has to do with the structure around you, the communities that you are from, your parents and the people around you, these factors shape your attitude towards the game. Talent is one thing, but no matter where you are from, you have to have the right attitude to the game."
At the same time, the coach hailed the intervention in this regard of regional telecommunications company Digicel and the annual KickStart Clinic, which he believes will go a long way in creating an environment for talented, young players to be successful, not only in terms of honing their skills, but also their mental approach to the sport.
"Digicel has put in this structure over the past few years, and it's a good thing. We come here now with it (clinics) already in place, so it is a very good platform to develop from."
- Kwesi Mugisa
Digicel has put in this structure over the past few years and it's a good thing.
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...s/sports7.html
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