Benny thought he was done.

[ealingspur]

Assou-Ekotto feared for career

Thu 21 May, 03:07 PM



Tottenham full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto feared being forced to quit football while recovering from his serious knee injury.

The 25-year-old, who was recently voted Most Improved Player by Spurs supporters after establishing himself under Harry Redknapp this season, was out for 18 months and revealed how he was treated alongside amputees in France.

"The hardest part of the injury was when the specialist said it might end my career," said the Cameroon international, who got injured at the start of 2007. "It made me doubt what was going to happen to me and it affected the way I am, my whole being.

"I spent about 10 months back in France, doing the first part of my rehab at a centre where there were people who had lost limbs.

"It was a very sobering experience for me because I was speaking to people who had their own personal stories and problems, and they certainly gave me hope for the future. It made me realise that although I had my injury problem, my situation could have been a lot worse."

 

[Kushal]

Give him a longer contract now Levy and tie the boy down!

 

[lishiyo]

hoping he's not still feeling nostalgic for france, please stay benny!

 

[chkthfc82]

Give him a longer contract now Levy and tie the boy down!

that must be close to coming to an end by now - a year or two maybe?

 

[lishiyo]

that must be close to coming to an end by now - a year or two maybe?

he has two years left iirc

 

[thfc1989]

Posted this in another thread but no one payed any attention to it:

Although I doubt this is true I thought I would share it with you all anyway, dont know if Robofan or anyone can varify this?. I have been told the club want to get rid of Ekotto because of his attitude, apparently he hasn't really bothered to learn english, dosn't turn up to club social functions, and is a disruptive influence in terms of team spirit. This information comes from a friend who was supposedly told this by one of the clubs directors in the corporate section at the match this weekend. I don't see why he would lie, but obviously take with a massive pinch (in fact shovel) of salt.

What do you all make of that, does anyone think there could be truth in it??

 

[ravo]

Give him a longer contract now Levy and tie the boy down!

Not really sure if that's Levy's style. Perhaps if Benny was playing at l'Arse....

 

[jamesc0le]

Posted this in another thread but no one payed any attention to it:

Although I doubt this is true I thought I would share it with you all anyway, dont know if Robofan or anyone can varify this?. I have been told the club want to get rid of Ekotto because of his attitude, apparently he hasn't really bothered to learn english, dosn't turn up to club social functions, and is a disruptive influence in terms of team spirit. This information comes from a friend who was supposedly told this by one of the clubs directors in the corporate section at the match this weekend. I don't see why he would lie, but obviously take with a massive pinch (in fact shovel) of salt.

What do you all make of that, does anyone think there could be truth in it??

sounds exactly like beni ''gum chew'' , couldnt give a f to be fair, as long as keeps playing consistently well

 

[ealingspur]

Im pretty sure he was a club signing recently that was advertised at halftime at the Newcastle game.

 

[robofan]

Posted this in another thread but no one payed any attention to it:

Although I doubt this is true I thought I would share it with you all anyway, dont know if Robofan or anyone can varify this?. I have been told the club want to get rid of Ekotto because of his attitude, apparently he hasn't really bothered to learn english, dosn't turn up to club social functions, and is a disruptive influence in terms of team spirit. This information comes from a friend who was supposedly told this by one of the clubs directors in the corporate section at the match this weekend. I don't see why he would lie, but obviously take with a massive pinch (in fact shovel) of salt.

What do you all make of that, does anyone think there could be truth in it??

first thing that stands out "told this by one of the clubs directors in the corporate section at the match this weekend " - highly unlikely, but not impossible.

I truly cant say that i have heard him speak anything other than english, but not being in constant contact with him i wouldnt say for sure - he is always fiendly and acknowledges everyone - have not heard any complaints about bad attitude off the pitch

from the last 10 designated appointment/functions he has attended all, mainly foundation, academy, signings etc

Nothing has reached my ears that he is not wanted - very strange

 

[lishiyo]

why would a club director talk about a player? esp saying bad things about one, which could lower their price if we were wanting to sell? sounds very silly to me, i doubt if anyone would have such a loose tongue

 

[DC_Boy]

I never realised how bad BAE's injury was - congrats to him (and the medics) for such a great recovery - must have really tough at times

I hope he stays - seems good to me

 

[Kendall]

Never seems like BAE is a bad influence on the pitch, everyone seems to get on with him.

Even if 'the club' wanted rid of him Harry would tell them all to fuck off anyway, he is the first choice LB and in case people hadn't noticed, good LBs don't grow on trees.

 

[lishiyo]

Never seems like BAE is a bad influence on the pitch, everyone seems to get on with him.

Even if 'the club' wanted rid of him Harry would tell them all to fuck off anyway, he is the first choice LB and in case people hadn't noticed, good LBs don't grow on trees.

yup, i can't think of a LB who is better who we have a chance of getting. maybe someone from another league like cissohko but there is absolutely no guarantee they'd adapt here.

 

[Mattyboii]

If benny boy can do it
so can king!

 

[Kendall]

Different injuries mate. BAE's was ligaments, King's is cartilage.

 

[thfcsteff]

it was well known tha, when it was going for him, Benny wanted to go back to france, plus it's also known that he treats football as a job and is not 'in love' with it (i.e. when he goes home he does not play PS3 Fifa 09, watch sky, MOTD, etc)...

i suspect things have changed since 'arry came in...and i suspect he isn't going anywhere...

 

[thfc1989]

first thing that stands out "told this by one of the clubs directors in the corporate section at the match this weekend " - highly unlikely, but not impossible.

I truly cant say that i have heard him speak anything other than english, but not being in constant contact with him i wouldnt say for sure - he is always fiendly and acknowledges everyone - have not heard any complaints about bad attitude off the pitch

from the last 10 designated appointment/functions he has attended all, mainly foundation, academy, signings etc

Nothing has reached my ears that he is not wanted - very strange

Glad to hear that as I wouldn't want him to leave because he has been one of our more consistant performers, I hope he is still here come september 1st.

 

[lishiyo]

it was well known tha, when it was going for him, Benny wanted to go back to france, plus it's also known that he treats football as a job and is not 'in love' with it (i.e. when he goes home he does not play PS3 Fifa 09, watch sky, MOTD, etc)...

i suspect things have changed since 'arry came in...and i suspect he isn't going anywhere...

that's true for plenty of players though, even messi said he didn't really enjoy football that much or something to that effect. i suspect most used to love it and now treat it as a job, as long as they show professionalism i'm not bothered.

 

[markiespurs]

He looked fairly happy the other night when receiving the most improved player award.

I'm hoping his reported homesickness was more to do with the frustration of his injury than anything else.

Agree that Levy should pull out all the stops and offer him a new contract, BAE's been one of, if not the, best LB's in the league this season.