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A rarity this one....not saying that he seems like the most cerebral of footballers but certainly someone with his own mind, an opinion and not afraid to voice some (for the world of football) controversial views

Worth a read....


The disarmingly honest Tottenham defender Benoît Assou-Ekotto

If there is one thing guaranteed to vex Benoît Assou-Ekotto, it is hypocrisy. The trouble is, as the Tottenham Hotspur defender acknowledges, his working environment, the parallel universe that is the Premier League, is bogged down in the stuff. It is evident in so many areas but the one that he chooses to highlight involves the interviews that players give to television. Assou-Ekotto has seen it time and time again. Players that he knows to express one view in private, usually strident and expletive-laden, switch to bland when the camera rolls.

"I say: 'Come on, you have two personalities?'" Assou-Ekotto says. "I can't listen to people when they speak like that. I know that they lie, and I hate lies. Me, I am not like that. I am honest all of the time, although the truth is not always good to say."

Assou-Ekotto is the top-level footballer who cuts through the hypocrisy to break what his peers may consider as taboos. The Premier League, he feels, is a shallow and bizarre world, in which friendships are transitory and the hangers-on, particularly the kiss-and-tell girls, are dangerous. He says what plenty of people think. But it is when he discusses his motivation for being a professional that his honesty hits home. To him, football is little more than a job and the driving force has always been the money.

"If I play football with my friends back in France, I can love football," he says. "But if I come to England, where I knew nobody and I didn't speak English … why did I come here? For a job. A career is only 10, 15 years. It's only a job. Yes, it's a good, good job and I don't say that I hate football but it's not my passion.

"I arrive in the morning at the training ground at 10.30 and I start to be professional. I finish at one o'clock and I don't play football afterwards. When I am at work, I do my job 100%. But after, I am like a tourist in London. I have my Oyster card and I take the tube. I eat.

"I don't understand why everybody lies. The president of my former club Lens, Gervais Martel, said I left because I got more money in England, that I didn't care about the shirt. I said: 'Is there one player in the world who signs for a club and says, Oh, I love your shirt?' Your shirt is red. I love it. He doesn't care. The first thing that you speak about is the money.

"Martel said I go to England for the money but why do players come to his club? Because they look nice? All people, everyone, when they go to a job, it's for the money. So I don't understand why, when I said I play for the money, people were shocked. Oh, he's a mercenary. Every player is like that."

Assou-Ekotto describes life in the Premier League as following the plot lines to a film. "You read the paper, it's like a movie," he says. The 26-year-old is referring to the more scurrilous stories on the news pages. "Very bizarre … only in England. That's why football is not my passion because when you are professional, the world of football is not good. There are people around you only because you play football; the girls, the same. I have my girlfriend, who I met when I was 18, 19, and I do not want to lose her because when you are a footballer it's not good to meet a new girl at 26."

What of his relationship with Tottenham team-mates? "I have a good feeling with [Aaron] Lennon and [Jermain] Defoe, more these two players but I have a feeling with everybody. I have a problem with nobody. But I have nobody on the phone, except [Adel] Taarabt, who is on loan at QPR and I know from Lens. I only call him. I don't call footballers in my team. I don't believe in friendships in football."

Assou-Ekotto's father, David, introduced him to the game. He had come from Cameroon to France as a 16-year-old to play professionally for Nice and when later he became the coach of Roclincourt & Beaurin, an amateur team, Assou-Ekotto followed them every weekend. It was as much the fear, however, of a modestly paid life within the four walls of an office that drove him to make the sacrifices to become a footballer.

"I knew for a fact that I didn't like school and I also knew that I didn't want to work in an office where I would be paid €1,500-a-month and, at the end of my career, be able to buy a little suburban apartment or something," he says. "Where it became definitive for me was at 16, when I was expelled from school because I was no longer paying attention. I had nothing to fall back on and this forms part of my attitude to football. I give it my very best, being as efficient and professional as possible, because it's all that I have."

Assou-Ekotto argues that his attitude to the job ought not to concern Tottenham's fans because he always switches on his total commitment in matches and training. "Whatever attitude you bring to it, it doesn't matter as long as you are 100% professional, the coach can say: 'He is good enough,' and you are prepared to lose a tooth or an eye for the club, which I am," he says.

Assou-Ekotto has thrived under Harry Redknapp but things were more difficult under previous Tottenham managers Martin Jol and Juande Ramos, with whom he had problems. He also lost any respect for Damien Comolli, the club's ex-sporting director, who brought him from Lens in June 2006.

"Comolli, oh la la, la la," Assou-Ekotto says, having let out a long, low whistle. "I have one simple rule; try to be a man all your life. I said to Comolli that I had a problem with Jol but he said it was all in my head. But then, after Jol left, he said: 'Yes, there was a problem.' Try to be a man!

"With Jol, he had a hierarchy within the team, everybody didn't have the same starting point. He also said to me that I didn't smile a lot. Ramos was always picking little fights. He told me that I was too aggressive in training. I said, 'We don't do tennis, we play football. You think that we are in Spain but we are in England, my friend'.

"With Harry, it's cool. We don't speak a lot and he doesn't care if I smile or if I know who the next team we play is. If I do my job well, it's OK. He is doing simple things that the previous two managers couldn't even think of. He is straightforward and he doesn't play games."

Assou-Ekotto is beginning to look ahead to the World Cup finals with Cameroon. Although he was born in France and has a French mother, there has never been any issue over his allegiance. Like many young people in France born to an immigrant parent or parents, he feels that "the country does not want us to be part of this new France. So we identify ourselves more with our roots.

"Me playing for Cameroon was a natural and normal thing. I have no feeling for the France national team; it just doesn't exist. When people ask of my generation in France, 'Where are you from?', they will reply Morocco, Algeria, Cameroon or wherever. But what has amazed me in England is that when I ask the same question of people like Lennon and Defoe, they'll say: 'I'm English.' That's one of the things that I love about life here."

Before South Africa Assou-Ekotto is on the brink of history with Tottenham. They entertain Bolton Wanderers this afternoon, with a place in next season's Champions League within their grasp. "It would be good for the team, the club and the supporters … they'd enjoy it," he says. "But for me, it would be just another set of games. When we play Liverpool and Chelsea, it's like the Champions League anyway so for me …"

Assou-Ekotto shrugs. It is only a job.

I really really respect that. And it's what I've always said. It's job for all of them and 99% of them don't really care about the Club they play for. There are few who play for the club they support (Nedum) and some who will over the time find deep affection to certain club (Goat, Rosler) but still those are more exceptions to the rule. And that's why I find it funny how people call players who try and go to better clubs and earn more money bit naive.

I thought Distin case was the prime example. People went berserk whenhe left but he ended up getting more money and FA Cup winners medal. He didn't fuck us over any way but respected the contract we gave him at the time and always gave 100% on the pitch. I never thought he had particularily dreamed of playing for City as kid growing up in Paris suburbs so I didn't expect him to have any special affection towards us.

Kissing the badge and all that bollocks is shallow at best of times. We ALL, me too, want to see these players love the Club the way we do but that's imply not the case nor will it ever be.

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:I really really respect that. And it's what I've always said. It's job for all of them and 99% of them don't really care about the Club they play for. There are few who play for the club they support (Nedum) and some who will over the time find deep affection to certain club (Goat, Rosler) but still those are more exceptions to the rule. And that's why I find it funny how people call players who try and go to better clubs and earn more money bit naive.

I thought that only local players who had born in the town, supported the club since they were kids, gone through the youth teams and finally into the first team could really identity with that club so much that they would refuse more money from bigger clubs just to keep playing there, but when last week Roma lost at home to Sampdoria and lost the first position in the table, I was surprised and a bit moved to see Mexes, who was sitting on the bench, in tears just like a baby as the final whistle went. He has been at Roma for some years now, five if I'm not mistaken, but really, there have been foreign players playing for the club longer and never showing so much passion for the club itself.

This said, I agree that most fottballers move from a club to another just for the money, or if they don't move it's because their club has raised their wages to match the offer.

Fantastic interview. Most people would move jobs if someone came along and offered to double there salary, I never understood why players got so much flak for doing the same. As long as they put the effort in when they are with us.

CityFanFromRome wrote:

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:I really really respect that. And it's what I've always said. It's job for all of them and 99% of them don't really care about the Club they play for. There are few who play for the club they support (Nedum) and some who will over the time find deep affection to certain club (Goat, Rosler) but still those are more exceptions to the rule. And that's why I find it funny how people call players who try and go to better clubs and earn more money bit naive.

I thought that only local players who had born in the town, supported the club since they were kids, gone through the youth teams and finally into the first team could really identity with that club so much that they would refuse more money from bigger clubs just to keep playing there, but when last week Roma lost at home to Sampdoria and lost the first position in the table, I was surprised and a bit moved to see Mexes, who was sitting on the bench, in tears just like a baby as the final whistle went. He has been at Roma for some years now, five if I'm not mistaken, but really, there have been foreign players playing for the club longer and never showing so much passion for the club itself.

This said, I agree that most fottballers move from a club to another just for the money, or if they don't move it's because their club has raised their wages to match the offer.

Then again, was he crying for himself and (possibly) losing the title and chance to write his name on the history OR was he crying for the supporters, Club and the city of Rome? While I would like to think latter, the cynic/realist in my says it's the former.

And like I said, once in every Blue Moon there's a player who really connects with the Club despite not growing up as a supporter. But it's very rare. Maybe one or two playes in every ten years.

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:I really really respect that. And it's what I've always said. It's job for all of them and 99% of them don't really care about the Club they play for. There are few who play for the club they support (Nedum) and some who will over the time find deep affection to certain club (Goat, Rosler) but still those are more exceptions to the rule. And that's why I find it funny how people call players who try and go to better clubs and earn more money bit naive.

I thought Distin case was the prime example. People went berserk whenhe left but he ended up getting more money and FA Cup winners medal. He didn't fuck us over any way but respected the contract we gave him at the time and always gave 100% on the pitch. I never thought he had particularily dreamed of playing for City as kid growing up in Paris suburbs so I didn't expect him to have any special affection towards us.

Kissing the badge and all that bollocks is shallow at best of times. We ALL, me too, want to see these players love the Club the way we do but that's imply not the case nor will it ever be.

Yeah spot on NQDP. Agree with all of that.

Fair play to him. Would be a bit more refreshing if more players were a bit more honest.

I am genuinely surprised that more players don't play for the clubs that they love and support though. Out of all the professional footballers in the game you imagine a large percentage of them are fans and have a club close to their heart yet the only big recent player I can think of that spurned money and trophies for his club is Shearer.

Smashing interview, I hate when fans of other clubs say to me, oh tevez, or ade just went for the money. I always reply, well if you were offered extra cash to do the same job and you turned it down then your a fucking idiot

Dunno why you guys are buzzing of it! If he was our player id think he was a twat.

Hes just admitted that he never knows who the team he plays next is!!! Is that professional?

He also said he doesnt like football and that its 100% money for him, then tries to say that its the same for the rest of the players out there while I disagree. Scholes, giggs and the Mune lot aren't about money. Thats why they won the derby.

Nick wrote:Dunno why you guys are buzzing of it! If he was our player id think he was a twat.

Hes just admitted that he never knows who the team he plays next is!!! Is that professional?

He also said he doesnt like football and that its 100% money for him, then tries to say that its the same for the rest of the players out there while I disagree. Scholes, giggs and the Mune lot aren't about money. Thats why they won the derby.

Mate although its not as much about the money with the likes of scholes, giggs and neville its obviously gonna be a factor. Do you think when they're renegotiating contracts they say, 'no I love this club, just keep paying me what I've been earning since I was 23' of course they don't they try and get the best financial package possible.

Berbatov, rio, rooney etc are all just as much in it for the money as Assou-Ekotto

Decent interview, however I dont believe all players only want to play for a club for the money. It obviously depends on the clubs history and perhaps the history a player has with a club, also playing for certain managers would be an influence. Saying that he is at Tottenham so to be fair I can see that money would be the only major lure. He'd love the sky blue shirt of City though.. all footballers dream of wearing it.. everyone knows that.

Nick wrote:Dunno why you guys are buzzing of it! If he was our player id think he was a twat.

Hes just admitted that he never knows who the team he plays next is!!! Is that professional?

He also said he doesnt like football and that its 100% money for him, then tries to say that its the same for the rest of the players out there while I disagree. Scholes, giggs and the Mune lot aren't about money. Thats why they won the derby.

Wow.

That's naive even by your standards. Do you not think that being paid top top money and constantly winning trophies has lot to do with why they have been playing for Rags their whole careers? Also, without really understanding it, you've just proved the original point. Scholes is Oldham through and through. IF it wasn't about the money but just love for the Club, Scholes would've spent his career with Latics. But as they couldn't offer him that, he had to take mercenary road and play for som other Club. Which hasn't stopped him consistently going and taking his kids to se Oldham when Rags haven't been playing. Just like any other supporter. Had Rags been shite, he would be playing for Liverpool. Or City. Or Newcastle.

Butt was Blue, k*ane is Celtic, Scholes is Oldham, Weo is QPR, Rooney is Everton and so on and so on and so on.

Very refreshing interview. I do still think that "club loyalty" exists, but as NDQP says, for 99% of the players it's a job. It's not necessarily about the money, but about finding yourself in a surrounding (financially, socially, geographically, etc.) that fits you (and your missus, the kids, your ambitions, your agents ambitions, and so forth).

Ive heard a few blues (cant remember who specifically) may have been dickov or goater that just signed contract extentions instantly and said they couldnt give a fuck what we paid them. Whilst reading that I always thought, play for a £100 a week then!


I dont been reds/blues by birth. As goater and dickov are quite clearly blues despite being from bermuda and scotland.

Nick wrote:Ive heard a few blues (cant remember who specifically) may have been dickov or goater that just signed contract extentions instantly and said they couldnt give a fuck what we paid them. Whilst reading that I always thought, play for a £100 a week then!


I dont been reds/blues by birth. As goater and dickov are quite clearly blues despite being from bermuda and scotland.

Yeah right.

You aren't really thinking this through. You want to make it sound like you are toppest of top Blues and would do it for nothing, just like we'd all do. But take time to think this properly.

Say it's year 1998. You are a top footballing talent and product of City's youth Academy. You are making 1000 k/w which is nice money but you've broken into England U21's and are being talked as next big thing. City is in 2nd division right now. So big clubs come knocking at City's door with offers of over million pounds. They are willing to do the deal. You are being offered 20k/w and chance to go to Premier League. So what do you do? Be toppest of all Blues ever, you are CTID after all, and stay with City no matter what? Or do you you take offer by let's say Aston Villa? That will set you and your family financially for life and chance to do some great things on the pitch.

Now let's assume you took the financially sensible route and went to Aston Villa. It's year 2006. You became a star for Villa and England. Carried them to their first Premier League title, got couple Ballon D'or's for your trouble. Was voted in star line up of 2006 World Cup despite going out in Semi's. Villa fans love you and want to rename Doug Ellis Stand after you. They got numerous of songs about you and you love to hear them chant your name. Your place in hearts of Villa fans everywhere is guaranteed forever.

So what are you now? Are you a die hard Villain? Or are you someone playing for Aston Villa for top money and chance to display your talents in world stage who actually supports Manchester City? Basically, are you a mercenary twat, like you yourself said it?

Niall Quinns Discopants wrote:

Nick wrote:Ive heard a few blues (cant remember who specifically) may have been dickov or goater that just signed contract extentions instantly and said they couldnt give a fuck what we paid them. Whilst reading that I always thought, play for a £100 a week then!


I dont been reds/blues by birth. As goater and dickov are quite clearly blues despite being from bermuda and scotland.

Yeah right.

You aren't really thinking this through. You want to make it sound like you are toppest of top Blues and would do it for nothing, just like we'd all do. But take time to think this properly.

Say it's year 1998. You are a top footballing talent and product of City's youth Academy. You are making 1000 k/w which is nice money but you've broken into England U21's and are being talked as next big thing. City is in 2nd division right now. So big clubs come knocking at City's door with offers of over million pounds. They are willing to do the deal. You are being offered 20k/w and chance to go to Premier League. So what do you do? Be toppest of all Blues ever, you are CTID after all, and stay with City no matter what? Or do you you take offer by let's say Aston Villa? That will set you and your family financially for life and chance to do some great things on the pitch.

Now let's assume you took the financially sensible route and went to Aston Villa. It's year 2006. You became a star for Villa and England. Carried them to their first Premier League title, got couple Ballon D'or's for your trouble. Was voted in star line up of 2006 World Cup despite going out in Semi's. Villa fans love you and want to rename Doug Ellis Stand after you. They got numerous of songs about you and you love to hear them chant your name. Your place in hearts of Villa fans everywhere is guaranteed forever.

So what are you now? Are you a die hard Villain? Or are you someone playing for Aston Villa for top money and chance to display your talents in world stage who actually supports Manchester City? Basically, are you a mercenary twat, like you yourself said it?

Interesting one. You dont tend to see this happen much though. Rooney shat on everton and Smith shat on leeds.

The common situation is with players say ''when i was a kid, i was a bit fond of team X, but now i'm not bothered''. I just cant understand this point of view. Especially as if your playing football for your career you should have passion for the sport. My passion for city would never 'lessen' even if I went to another club. But in your example, if City were in division 2 and I felt I was a premiership footballer, I might want to move to Villa based on the 'career progression' and the need to test myself. It wouldnt be about the money. Whereas, City are now nearly at the top of pile so I cant understand anybody coming out with half arsed comments about the club or wanting to leave. If that situation came up I might move to villa and then ask for a transfer to City when we got promoted!

To be fair im in a similar dilemma with jobs. To move down south in pursuit of promising career prospects and possible high salaries in the future. Or stay in Manchester with less ambition and alot less money. I love Manchester too much. I want something in between.

On topic though, I just read that interview and though you arrogant little shit. Foreigner who does not give a fuck about english football or Spurs. Maybe im on my own. The line: ''Harry doesnt care if I dont know the name of the team we play next'' after slagging off Jol (who did a good job) and Ramos was the line that really pissed me off.

You guys are sticking up for him, saying hes a professional. But what professional doesnt know who there next match is against FFS?! Hes no professional, hes a journeyman.

I bet the muppet knows who hes playing on wednesday.

i respect that. id be a bit angry if i was a spuds fan. but it is his job to play football. if i were in his position i would feel exactly the same.

why does this muppet bother to turn out for Cameroon then tell me that someone?

this is rank junk no mistake

brite blu sky wrote:why does this muppet bother to turn out for Cameroon then tell me that someone?

this is rank junk no mistake

Probably because of this

"If I play football with my friends back in France, I can love football,

What he is basically trying to say is that he loves playing with his mates and probably for his country as well but doesn't have any deep affection towards Tottenham. And why would he have?