European Football – Soccer as it is called in the USA

Interview with Michael Duberry, Chelsea football club player.

What do you think about:

Being out injured for most of ’97?

The only good thing is that I’ve got youth on my side. While I was out injured, Ian Wright passed on some kind advice. He said ‘You’re good enough and you’ll get a taste of Chelsea’s success later on so don’t let it get you down’. I’ve taken that on board and I feel that l’n1 good enough and the way the club’s going, there/s no reason why I shouldn’t sample another Cup Final this season, a run in European football or even a Championship. David Lee was out at the same time as me and we worked hard together. When I was down, he picked me up and I did the same for him. But now I’m on a high and I’m buzzing for the club. I’m doing something I love and I’m playing now for one of the top clubs in the country.

Chelsea youngsters?

The gaffer’s shown he has faith in youth – if you’re good enough you’re old enough. He’s giving young players a taste of it and it makes them want more. Ruud knows what he’s doing. By playing the likes of Mark Nicholls, Jody Morris and Nick Crittenden, he’s shown them what to expect without weakening the side too much. He brings the experienced players back in for the really big games but if they are injured, the young lads can be relied on not to let him down when it matters.

Playing for Hoddle and Gullit?

I’m so glad they both came into my career when they did because my education has blossomed, my game has improved and I certainly don’t feel like a 22-year-old. I want to keep learning and when I go with the England Under-21 s. I think I’m still learning from Glenn via the things he passes on to the manager, Peter Taylor. I’m always picking the older players’ brains as well because they have experience to pass on and that can only benefit my game. I want to be a 24-year-old with a 34-year-old’s view of the game. He comes into the defence and strolls through a game in my position likes he’s always played there! But that’s just down to experience. Glenn Hoddle was the same., When I played reserve games with him, he played sweeper and he knew what he was doing. His positioning was superb because of his knowledge. Hopefully, by the time I’m 26, I’m looking to have that ability and be able to stroll through games, not because it’s easy but because I’ll have that experience.

Playing for England?

I’ve got the best target to aim for in France 98 and even if I don’t make it, I should be a good player and hopefully have some experience with the full squad by next season. I’m aiming for the World Cup and will hopefully squeeze in but there are so many good young defenders. There’s Rio Ferdinand, Gareth Southgate and Sol Campbell, who’s playing on top of the world at the moment. Tony Adams is still there as well. It’s good for English football that there are so many good defenders, but perhaps not so good for me.

Getting stick from the stands?

We can’t win – we’re there to be shouted at and as a professional, you’ve just got to get on with the game. But you just hope that if the supporters do hurl abuse, you hope that the stewards or police throw them out of the ground because you can’t turn round and shout ‘You whatever!’ We’d get reported to the police if we did.

Improving as a player?

I just keep it simple. I don’t want to start trying to ping balls 60 yards which I can’t do. The more I keep it simple, the more I look good and people will say, ‘He’s a good defender’. I keep the ball for us and that’s what managers want: a defender who can win the ball and keep possession. If you win it well and then pass straight to the opposition, the fans hate it. The players around me know what I can do – ‘Doobs will win the ball and then give it to those who can pass’. If the option’s on, I pass to Frank Leboeuf or Dennis Wise ‘cos they can hit 60 yard passes. The fans notice my work and that gives me pleasure as well.

Your work with Let’s Kick Racism Out Of Football?

Racism still exists and we want to stamp it out. I haven’t experienced such as a professional, only with Chelsea when we played in Europe t bout three years ago. But as a kid,’ got a little sample of it and that’s I he most disturbing. I saw grown dults, women as well, shouting Black this, black that’ and as a kid you don’t need to hear that stuff.

Racism at Chelsea?

I’ve been at the club about ‘sev years and I’ve not really witnessed any racism. You hear stories ab years ago when they were real : bad but they’ve changed their ways and taken to black player. The fans have taken to Ruud so now he’s one of their own and they worship him. They think of him as top man and they would do that if they were narrow-minded racists. Chelsea, as a football club is certainly looking up. We now get families and kids at the games and if someone w shouting racist abuse, I think th would get slaughtered here.

Black managers?

It was high profile to have a black manager but now no-one talks about it., Maybe it’s a smokescreen to what’s really happening. Perhaps there is more racism than there appears. Ruud being boss i , a good thing, the same as Paul Ince being England captain. Peo now say race doesn’t really matter and it doesn’t to managers but there are small-minded people in the stands who can’t handle it.

May202011

Tags: football

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