Berbatov's Interview

[lily_lane]

His agent played a big role in Berbatov's arrival at WHL. He presented Spurs to him very very positively, e.g., that Spurs are (almost) as good as Arsenal ( at that time Spurs were 4th in the Prem), that they have 6 English internationals, that they are a very rich club that is going places, that Ferguson is unpredictable etc. Now, his agent is put under pressure in Bulgaria. Maybe several times a day he is being told: "If you are a good agent, you will help Berbatov to move to the likes of Real, Barca or Milan. Berbatov is the only player of that stature who doesn't play in the CL etc." (Not to mention how much his agent would earn from a big transfer.) Neverthless, it would be very naive to suggest that there may be any disagreement between Berbatov and his agent. The latter cannot afford to do something his client wouldn't accept.

Isn't Emil Dantchev an old friend of his Father's? So maybe even if Berba was pi$$ed off with him sometimes (and I'm not suggesting he is) he might feel he couldn't give him the elbow? Just a suggestion. :wink:
It is confusing though to hear Berba say that "all the speculation messed with my head and affected my form" as though it were a negative thing, but on the other hand, say he's "not unhappy" about it as it's a sign that he's "doing his job". Every good player has speculation and transfer rumour about him, but none more so than Berbatov. And it's noticeable that all the other players currently in the PL who were mentioned as possible targets for Milan in that Italian newspaper haven't been splashed across our newspapers, because their Agents haven't fanned the flames of the *story* and their national media aren't obsessed with the players leaving their present clubs.

You say Dantchev sang the praises of Spurs to convince Berba to come, I watch German TV via satellite, and as a football nation, they are well aware who Spurs are, and as German Internationals have played at our club in the past, we're more well known in Germany than many other English clubs.

No, we're not playing in the CL, but we have brought Berba's first ever Trophy for him since he left Bulgaria as a teenager. We may not be Real Madrid or Man Utd, but we are a very popular, respected club that is built on solid foundations with a glorious past, traditions, and an optimistic future. It's a pity the media in Bulgaria and the general populace can't afford us a little more respect, instead of throwing it in his face every time he sets foot back in his homeland. Being a polite man, he tries to answer as best he can in a vague way.
It is clear that he is very happy at Spurs, he is valued here, and he appreciates it very much, and has stated that means more to him than money does (for those who were wondering). He also knows he is our star player. This seems to give him alot of satisfaction. Will he ever have these comforts elsewhere? Dantchev is banking on alot that "he can be happy elsewhere". No-one knows that for sure. And it isn't guaranteed he will win any more trophies at another so called *bigger* club. If he'd have gone to Arsenal, he wouldn't. Owen went to Real Madrid and didn't. It's all speculation Berbati.....:wink:

 

[Berbati]

Isn't Emil Dantchev an old friend of his Father's? So maybe even if Berba was pi$$ed off with him sometimes (and I'm not suggesting he is) he might feel he couldn't give him the elbow? Just a suggestion. :wink:
It is confusing though to hear Berba say that "all the speculation messed with my head and affected my form" as though it were a negative thing, but on the other hand, say he's "not unhappy" about it as it's a sign that he's "doing his job". Every good player has speculation and transfer rumour about him, but none more so than Berbatov. And it's noticeable that all the other players currently in the PL who were mentioned as possible targets for Milan in that Italian newspaper haven't been splashed across our newspapers, because their Agents haven't fanned the flames of the *story* and their national media aren't obsessed with the players leaving their present clubs.

You say Dantchev sang the praises of Spurs to convince Berba to come, I watch German TV via satellite, and as a football nation, they are well aware who Spurs are, and as German Internationals have played at our club in the past, we're more well known in Germany than many other English clubs.

No, we're not playing in the CL, but we have brought Berba's first ever Trophy for him since he left Bulgaria as a teenager. We may not be Real Madrid or Man Utd, but we are a very popular, respected club that is built on solid foundations with a glorious past, traditions, and an optimistic future. It's a pity the media in Bulgaria and the general populace can't afford us a little more respect, instead of throwing it in his face every time he sets foot back in his homeland. Being a polite man, he tries to answer as best he can in a vague way.
It is clear that he is very happy at Spurs, he is valued here, and he appreciates it very much, and has stated that means more to him than money does (for those who were wondering). He also knows he is our star player. This seems to give him alot of satisfaction. Will he ever have these comforts elsewhere? Dantchev is banking on alot that "he can be happy elsewhere". No-one knows that for sure. And it isn't guaranteed he will win any more trophies at another so called *bigger* club. If he'd have gone to Arsenal, he wouldn't. Owen went to Real Madrid and didn't. It's all speculation Berbati.....:wink:

No one can be sure Berbatov will be a success at the likes of Real or Milan. To move to such a club is bit risky, no question. But when a given player has the qualities to play at such clubs, he would regret if he missed that chance. Should I mention "that" passage from Ginola's book where he reveals his regret for not playing at such clubs?

Everybody who thinks Berbatov hasn't the skills and character to play at the biggest possible level fools himself. He can be a star everywhere as he is exceptionally gifted and intelligent. I doubt there is a more intelligent footballer in the world today.

 

[llamafarmer]

Well said Lily, we haven't all given up hope yet!

 

[PT]

Everybody who thinks Berbatov hasn't the skills and character to play at the biggest possible level fools himself. He can be a star everywhere as he is exceptionally gifted and intelligent. I doubt there is a more intelligent footballer in the world today.

I think I would speak for the majority on SC when I respond to your comments above by saying you are stating the obvious.

It is not debatable whether Berby can play in a Champion's League team on a regular basis. He can and will during his career.

What is debatable is where Spurs are that club to offer him the status, or whether he has to move, thus cutting short his tenure.

That is what we are debating Berbati.

I know too, that you have / had a problem with some of our members stating that they were exasperated by Berbatov's form in the first half of the season. You would probably agree that he, along with others in our team, went missing for large chunks of the early season.

The difference between Berby and most of our squad is that we can't afford to see a sub standard star player on the park. The others we can replace, but not Berby, within the current squad.

For me, if Berbatov can kick start his season from game one and sustain it, we would have a reasonable opportunity of a top four challenge. Of course, if we look forward, that will depend if Berbatov sees that opportuint as a challenge that he wants to accept or move away from.

 

[lily_lane]

Everybody who thinks Berbatov hasn't the skills and character to play at the biggest possible level fools himself. He can be a star everywhere as he is exceptionally gifted and intelligent. I doubt there is a more intelligent footballer in the world today.

Is anyone disagreeing with that? I will forgive your strident tones as English is not your first language, but the difference between us is that I believe if he stays with Spurs he can help us qualify for the CL the season after, and you clearly wish he'd move elsewhere asap. That's your perogative, but as I'm Spurs Fan, and this is a Spurs forum, the most you could accuse me of is being optimistic rather than naive or a fool.

 

[Berbati]

I think I would speak for the majority on SC when I respond to your comments above by saying you are stating the obvious.

It is not debatable whether Berby can play in a Champion's League team on a regular basis. He can and will during his career.

What is debatable is where Spurs are that club to offer him the status, or whether he has to move, thus cutting short his tenure.

That is what we are debating Berbati.

I know too, that you have / had a problem with some of our members stating that they were exasperated by Berbatov's form in the first half of the season. You would probably agree that he, along with others in our team, went missing for large chunks of the early season.

The difference between Berby and most of our squad is that we can't afford to see a sub standard star player on the park. The others we can replace, but not Berby, within the current squad.

For me, if Berbatov can kick start his season from game one and sustain it, we would have a reasonable opportunity of a top four challenge. Of course, if we look forward, that will depend if Berbatov sees that opportuint as a challenge that he wants to accept or move away from.

Reasonable comment :up:

One thing should be clear. Berbatov loves Tottenham and his fans. There is no question about that. He is happy at Spurs. But he knows he is good enough to play at Real or Milan and he would be happy to move there. He never ever will question the status of Spurs as a club with traditions and big support. The problem is that he wants to win the CL and he is already 27. He wants also to play with the lkes of Kaka, Ronaldo, Messi etc. Spurs can become a CL club within the next 2-3 years but it's doubtful they could win it.

 

[Berbati]

Is anyone disagreeing with that? I will forgive your strident tones as English is not your first language, but the difference between us is that I believe if he stays with Spurs he can help us qualify for the CL the season after, and you clearly wish he'd move elsewhere asap. That's your perogative, but as I'm Spurs Fan, and this is a Spurs forum, the most you could accuse me of is being optimistic rather than naive or a fool.

Excuse me, that wasn't directed against you. Your post was excellent.

 

[snake1]

Asking questions like 'When do you think you will be going to Manchester United?' seems to me less 'honest' and more 'cockfag'.

They aren't more 'straightforward people', the journalists are just being incredibly rude and presumptuous, and causing trouble for the sake of generating press interest. If you can have an interview which claims to show when Berbatov will be going to United it sells papers - it is not, however, good journalism.

Also, Berbatov playing for United raises the profile of the whole game in Bulgaria, and also Bulgarian football as a whole. So obviously press from Bulgaria are going to be talking about a move every 5 minutes. Again, not 'straightforward', but manipulative.

In fact, it pisses Berba off. He's said it before on many occasions, he refuses to address the comments, and it's been pointed out how annoyed he can become (which affects his game) when pestered in such a way.

It's not 'English political correctness' not to discuss transfers until they are sorted. It's common fucking courtesy and politeness. If Berba starts commenting now that he wants to go to United in the summer, how do you think the crowd, the management, and his fellow players will react? It's insane to do so, even if you might think it's being more 'straightforward'.

More 'straightforward people'? 'Transfer-engineering ****s' is the phrase I think you're looking for, actually.

That post has seriously annoyed me :evil:

While I agree with you, it does beg the question as to why Berba prefers/chooses to be interviewed by Bulgarian media more so than the British media.

 

[sloth]

It is not debatable whether Berby can play in a Champion's League team on a regular basis. He can and will during his career.

What is debatable is where Spurs are that club to offer him the status, or whether he has to move, thus cutting short his tenure...

...You would probably agree that he, along with others in our team, went missing for large chunks of the early season.

The difference between Berby and most of our squad is that we can't afford to see a sub standard star player on the park. The others we can replace, but not Berby, within the current squad.

For me, if Berbatov can kick start his season from game one and sustain it, we would have a reasonable opportunity of a top four challenge. Of course, if we look forward, that will depend if Berbatov sees that opportuint as a challenge that he wants to accept or move away from.

:clap:Thanks for that! It's exactly what I think, even if I didn't know it was until you wrote it down. Good post.

 

[lily_lane]

While I agree with you, it does beg the question as to why Berba prefers/chooses to be interviewed by Bulgarian media more so than the British media.

Well because in Bulgaria he's a very big fish in a small country of 7 million people, and is much in demand. He has superstar staus, so naturally talks to the media there regularly, as he gets requests to.

He also gives interviews here whenever requested, even though he is sometimes seen as a sullen figure who is aloof, he speaks excellent English, and gives a better interview than most Footballers.

I don't know why he hasn't appeared in the Media more here recently, I guess he's just one of a number of foreign footballers in the PL, so they can pick and choose.

I, for one, am grateful we've never had the Defoe type slapper stories in the Sun......I guess he got it all out of his system at an early age. :wink:

 

[lily_lane]

Any road up, the reports are coming in about his Player of the Year Award:

Berbatov receives Bulgarian Footballer of the Year award
20:43 Mon 24 Mar 2008 - Alex Bivol

Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitur Berbatov was handed his fourth Bulgaria's Footballer of the Year award in a ceremony held on March 24, Focus news agency reported.
Berbatov won the award for 2007 after ranking top in the voting organised among 139 reporters from 46 media outlets by the Bulgarian Football Union, Bulgaria Professional Football League and Daks Media publishing house, with 327 points and 93 first places.
Berbatov joined Tottenham in August 2006 for 10.9 million pounds sterling and made an immediate impact, scoring 23 goals in 49 appearances in his first season in England, winning Fans' Player of the Year award, as voted by Spurs supporters. Barring injury, he is set to surpass that mark this season, with 21 goals in 44 games already.
Last year's winner, Manchester City winger Martin Petrov, was second with 246 points and 23 first places.
Although voting ended in January, the award ceremony has had to be postponed until the top duo could attend. Berbatov and Petrov are currently in Sofia for Bulgaria's friendly game with Finland on March 26.
Goalkeeper Georgi Petkov, who plies his trade with defending Bulgarian champions Levski Sofia, was a distant third with only 47 points.
Striker Hristo Stoichkov, the only Bulgarian winner of the European Footballer of the Year award, which he received in 1994 while at Barcelona, is the only player to win Bulgarian Footballer of the Year more times than Berbatov, with five awards.
But with Berbatov turning 27 in January and just entering his footballing prime, there is plenty of time to surpass him on that list.

:clap: Congrats to Berba. :bowdown:

 

[Gabriella]

While I agree with you, it does beg the question as to why Berba prefers/chooses to be interviewed by Bulgarian media more so than the British media.

I think it is because of the different attitudes. Bulgarian media idolizes him all the time, in English media his body language was the top news + some stories about his parents which obviously annoyed him. In Bulgaria he is seen as the most polite and modest player as they say to him "you give confidence to a nation which has lost it"

 

[jimmy-jojo]

because the rest of our team is a pile of shit? :shrug:

Ok then. Maybe next match Berba should take to the field by himself...

What a disrespectful thing to say about players who have given us two consecutive 5th place finishes and won us our first trophy in almost a decade.

What you're in effect saying is that Berbatov is bigger than the club. You're quite happy for the club be dragged through a transfer 'will he, won't he' saga througout the summer. You're quite happy for the club to become de-stabilised by the constant speculation? You're quite happy for Ramos' job to be made more difficult because he doesn't know if Berbatov is staying or going?

Berbatov needs to sign a new contract to end the speculation or be sold to the highest bidder as soon as the transfer window is open.

I personally do not want to go through a third summer in a row having non-stop speculation about our best player leaving.

 

[lily_lane]

I think it is because of the different attitudes. Bulgarian media idolizes him all the time, in English media his body language was the top news + some stories about his parents which obviously annoyed him. In Bulgaria he is seen as the most polite and modest player as they say to him "you give confidence to a nation which has lost it"

Gaby, how was the ceremony? Did he look smart? No pics yet. :razz:

 

[Gabriella]

Gaby, how was the ceremony? Did he look smart? No pics yet. :razz:

http://www.gong.bg/view_photo_topic.php?photo_topic_id=216&photo_id=4649

I am downloading the ceremony and if i don't fall asleep i will upload it in youtube tonight :razz: His speech was kind of witty

 

[Doctor Who]

great pics gabi thanks for putting them , your english is good , where are you from

 

[lily_lane]

http://www.gong.bg/view_photo_topic.php?photo_topic_id=216&photo_id=4649

I am downloading the ceremony and if i don't fall asleep i will upload it in youtube tonight :razz: His speech was kind of witty

Sleep, sleep! Tomorrow will do. :bowdown: You are 2 hours ahead, it's very late there already. :hello:

As for his speech, I wouldn't expect anything else! He's always amusing when he speaks. :razz:

Thank you for the pics link. :clap:
He does love his shiny suits these days, lol! :grin:

 

[Gabriella]

great pics gabi thanks for putting them , your english is good , where are you from

I am from Shumen :razz:

Thank you for the pics link. :clap:
No problem It is a pleasure for me, however, in 2 hours the video will most probably will be available

 

[$hoguN]

If you need any proof he is staying look at the "man-love" between him and Keano... He would be an emotional wreck if they ever were parted lol

 

[LadieK]

Given the choice, if Berba is to leave this summer then I'd rather he do it quickly and quietly allowing Ramos to rebuild throughout the entire window. I don't want to see a situation where Ramos thinks he's staying and buys players to compliment Dimitar, only to then find he leaves at the last minute.

:clap:

I don't think anyone really wants to see Berba leave but at the same time we care about our club than one player and the club's best interests are what we should all care about.

I really hope that he says he'll stay as all of this 'at the end of the Summer' stuff does just get annoying. If he goes, we need the time to get another top quality player/s in.