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Latest installment of the BAE show:
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...ny-people-in-football-think-the-same-as-me.do
'Not many people in football think the same as me'
Tim Nichols, Deputy sports editor
14 Oct 2011
Gareth Bale epitomised Tottenham's thrilling Champions League adventure last season. The flying Welshman made the whole of Europe sit up and take notice as he helped propel the tournament debutants all the way to the quarter-finals.
He scored a wonderful second-half hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro and single-handedly destroyed Maicon's reputation as one of the world's finest full-backs in the pulsating return game at White Hart Lane as Spurs qualified for the knockout stages in style.
Bale's performances had pundits purring, the continent's leading clubs clamouring for his signature and fans on the edge of their seats.
But according to Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the man who played behind the 22-year-old on the left side for Spurs, none of this would have been possible without him.
As we settle down in a Kensington cafe, I ask the French-born Cameroon international what it's like to play alongside one of the most exciting young talents in the game.
"You know, I think the question is for him," he replies with a smile. "You need to ask him what's it's like to play in front of me because I always give him the ball and when I am one against one he is not there to help me."
His friend and representative, Francis Nkwain, starts giggling before Assou-Ekotto cuts him short. "No but it's true! I try to give him the best conditions and then we can see the best of him. But he's never said thank you . . . not yet, anyway!"
This time, it's Assou-Ekotto's turn to laugh. The 27-year-old is engaging company and somewhat different from the common perception of Premier League footballers.
But then the man who has made the left-back spot at the Lane his own isn't your average footballer. He caused shock waves in an interview two years ago when he claimed all footballers are motivated solely by money and recently suggested his colleagues should donate a fraction of their wages to local causes after he made a significant contribution to the Evening Standard's Dispossessed campaign earlier this year.
He also regularly uses public transport and made sure he visited the worst-hit areas of Tottenham following the riots in August that proved to be the prelude to days of criminality across London and beyond.
Unsurprisingly, 'Benny', as he is affectionately known by Spurs fans, doesn't see himself or his actions as anything special.
"I didn't visit the neighbourhood [after the riots] because I'm a footballer, I did it because as an individual I feel a great sense of connection to Tottenham. The main thing that brings me into the area - apart from playing - is the barber shop. I go there quite regularly.
"I often park my car away from the stadium as well and walk along the streets and stop and speak to people about Spurs. I've built up this relationship over the years with the neighbourhood so when I saw on TV what was happening I felt this wasn't the Tottenham I know and felt compelled to go and see what had happened.
"And when I found out there were a lot of people trying to get on with their normal lives and it was their lives that were being messed up, I felt compelled to say that this is not a reflection of Tottenham in general and maybe something was going on here that those in a position to fix it need to look at.
"My connection wasn't because I'm a footballer playing for Tottenham, it was because of my individual connection to the neighbourhood."
It's not just N17 that Assou-Ekotto feels an affinity with. After five years at Spurs, he loves life in the capital.
"I really like London," he says. "When I go back to France, 24 hours is enough. I like the mentality here. I have an Oyster card and can use the Tube stations without a problem. The people on the Tube are very friendly. Sometimes they ask me about the last game, sometimes they ask me if I'm really Benoit Assou-Ekotto . . . and sometimes I say no, he is my little brother!
"Or they ask me why I use the Tube and I say why not? They say it's strange because I play in the Premier League and use the Tube. It's funny to speak to people who are surprised with how you live. Not many people in football have the same attitude as me. Nobody is born with a silver spoon in their mouth. When you know where you come from, it's easier to map out where you want to go. You shouldn't forget that."
On the pitch, he has developed into one of the Premier League's best left-backs while at Spurs but life in England wasn't always so easy. After Martin Jol paid Lens £3.5million for him in 2006, Assou-Ekotto edged the experienced Lee-Young Pyo out of the team before a knee injury cut short his campaign and he barely got a look in under Juande Ramos in the 2007-08 season.
"It's hard when you don't play in your country and you don't speak the language," he admits. "The first season was difficult for me to speak with, or understand, the manager and I played six months and then I was injured.
"When I eventually came back we had a Spanish manager and I didn't have the feeling with him. I came to England because I like the way we play in England. If I wanted to play like a Spanish team I would sign for a Spanish club.
"So I had no feeling with this manager but with Harry [Redknapp] the speech is simple - he says if you are at Spurs it is not because you are s**t so just enjoy being out on the pitch.
"When I compare him with the other manager, he focused on the small details and Harry doesn't care about the small details . . . like going to the hotel before the game . . . because we are not kids. You sleep better in your bed so small stuff like that makes the difference."
Assou-Ekotto has been one of the many success stories since Redknapp arrived in 2008 and has become a key member of the team over the past two seasons. Having had a taste of the Champions League and the buzz that surrounds big European nights, he knows how important it is for the club to make sure last season wasn't a one-off.
"The Champions League is the best competition in Europe and if there are a few players who Spurs like, they will prefer to play with us in the Champions League because they know the club, they know the players and how the team play. If we are in the Champions League, the players will find it easier to play for Spurs.
"When you play Champions League and the Premier League at the same time, it's very hard. This season we have a few important players who don't play in the Europa League so maybe it will be easier for us to finish in the top four. Last season you can't not play in the Champions League and say, 'Yeah we'll only play in the League'."
Spurs' bid to return to the top four took a knock after kicking off their campaign with heavy defeats against Manchester United and Manchester City before four consecutive wins - against Wolves, Liverpool, Wigan and Arsenal - reinforced the belief that they are genuine contenders.
"Everyone was down after the defeats against Man United and Man City," says Assou-Ekotto. "They are the best two teams. Even the 'big four' will have trouble against these teams this season. The minimum objective is to finish fourth because when you play Champions League it's good for everyone. If we can go higher we will do it but the minimum is fourth . . . and I am confident."
Playing in Europe's premier competition doesn't just help attract star names, it also helps keep those already at the club. Luka Modric provided a timely example of this over the summer when he publicly expressed his desire to move across London to Chelsea after Tottenham finished fifth last season.
But Assou-Ekotto wasn't surprised Spurs managed to hold on to the Croat despite receiving huge bids for the playmaker.
"If this situation was five years ago . . . yeah, I would've been surprised," he admits. "But now you see Tottenham, they have a project to make a big team and if they want to be credible they cannot sell Modric to Chelsea and say 'yeah but we still want to be a big team'.
"I understand him [Modric], though. Tottenham have a plan to become one of the great teams in England and the truth is Chelsea are already there so when you look at the money and what's being offered, you can understand the temptation because one is an aspiration and one is already a reality. And now the challenge for Tottenham is to be able to position themselves alongside the likes of Chelsea, so they must offer what Chelsea offer to attract big players and hold on to players."
One club many believe Spurs can now position themselves alongside are rivals Arsenal. After years of Arsene Wenger-inspired dominance, talk of a power shift is premature but Assou-Ekotto is in no doubt which half of north London he'd rather be playing in at the moment.
"What's amazing now is if you were to look at the individual names in both squads, I doubt very much a Tottenham player would look at the list and think he would much rather join Arsenal. So that says it all. You know for me, at the moment, I wouldn't say yeah I'd like to go to Arsenal because I would prefer to play with Modric than Arteta."
Good news for Tottenham, good news for Bale.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/stand...ny-people-in-football-think-the-same-as-me.do
'Not many people in football think the same as me'
Tim Nichols, Deputy sports editor
14 Oct 2011
Gareth Bale epitomised Tottenham's thrilling Champions League adventure last season. The flying Welshman made the whole of Europe sit up and take notice as he helped propel the tournament debutants all the way to the quarter-finals.
He scored a wonderful second-half hat-trick against Inter Milan at the San Siro and single-handedly destroyed Maicon's reputation as one of the world's finest full-backs in the pulsating return game at White Hart Lane as Spurs qualified for the knockout stages in style.
Bale's performances had pundits purring, the continent's leading clubs clamouring for his signature and fans on the edge of their seats.
But according to Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the man who played behind the 22-year-old on the left side for Spurs, none of this would have been possible without him.
As we settle down in a Kensington cafe, I ask the French-born Cameroon international what it's like to play alongside one of the most exciting young talents in the game.
"You know, I think the question is for him," he replies with a smile. "You need to ask him what's it's like to play in front of me because I always give him the ball and when I am one against one he is not there to help me."
His friend and representative, Francis Nkwain, starts giggling before Assou-Ekotto cuts him short. "No but it's true! I try to give him the best conditions and then we can see the best of him. But he's never said thank you . . . not yet, anyway!"
This time, it's Assou-Ekotto's turn to laugh. The 27-year-old is engaging company and somewhat different from the common perception of Premier League footballers.
But then the man who has made the left-back spot at the Lane his own isn't your average footballer. He caused shock waves in an interview two years ago when he claimed all footballers are motivated solely by money and recently suggested his colleagues should donate a fraction of their wages to local causes after he made a significant contribution to the Evening Standard's Dispossessed campaign earlier this year.
He also regularly uses public transport and made sure he visited the worst-hit areas of Tottenham following the riots in August that proved to be the prelude to days of criminality across London and beyond.
Unsurprisingly, 'Benny', as he is affectionately known by Spurs fans, doesn't see himself or his actions as anything special.
"I didn't visit the neighbourhood [after the riots] because I'm a footballer, I did it because as an individual I feel a great sense of connection to Tottenham. The main thing that brings me into the area - apart from playing - is the barber shop. I go there quite regularly.
"I often park my car away from the stadium as well and walk along the streets and stop and speak to people about Spurs. I've built up this relationship over the years with the neighbourhood so when I saw on TV what was happening I felt this wasn't the Tottenham I know and felt compelled to go and see what had happened.
"And when I found out there were a lot of people trying to get on with their normal lives and it was their lives that were being messed up, I felt compelled to say that this is not a reflection of Tottenham in general and maybe something was going on here that those in a position to fix it need to look at.
"My connection wasn't because I'm a footballer playing for Tottenham, it was because of my individual connection to the neighbourhood."
It's not just N17 that Assou-Ekotto feels an affinity with. After five years at Spurs, he loves life in the capital.
"I really like London," he says. "When I go back to France, 24 hours is enough. I like the mentality here. I have an Oyster card and can use the Tube stations without a problem. The people on the Tube are very friendly. Sometimes they ask me about the last game, sometimes they ask me if I'm really Benoit Assou-Ekotto . . . and sometimes I say no, he is my little brother!
"Or they ask me why I use the Tube and I say why not? They say it's strange because I play in the Premier League and use the Tube. It's funny to speak to people who are surprised with how you live. Not many people in football have the same attitude as me. Nobody is born with a silver spoon in their mouth. When you know where you come from, it's easier to map out where you want to go. You shouldn't forget that."
On the pitch, he has developed into one of the Premier League's best left-backs while at Spurs but life in England wasn't always so easy. After Martin Jol paid Lens £3.5million for him in 2006, Assou-Ekotto edged the experienced Lee-Young Pyo out of the team before a knee injury cut short his campaign and he barely got a look in under Juande Ramos in the 2007-08 season.
"It's hard when you don't play in your country and you don't speak the language," he admits. "The first season was difficult for me to speak with, or understand, the manager and I played six months and then I was injured.
"When I eventually came back we had a Spanish manager and I didn't have the feeling with him. I came to England because I like the way we play in England. If I wanted to play like a Spanish team I would sign for a Spanish club.
"So I had no feeling with this manager but with Harry [Redknapp] the speech is simple - he says if you are at Spurs it is not because you are s**t so just enjoy being out on the pitch.
"When I compare him with the other manager, he focused on the small details and Harry doesn't care about the small details . . . like going to the hotel before the game . . . because we are not kids. You sleep better in your bed so small stuff like that makes the difference."
Assou-Ekotto has been one of the many success stories since Redknapp arrived in 2008 and has become a key member of the team over the past two seasons. Having had a taste of the Champions League and the buzz that surrounds big European nights, he knows how important it is for the club to make sure last season wasn't a one-off.
"The Champions League is the best competition in Europe and if there are a few players who Spurs like, they will prefer to play with us in the Champions League because they know the club, they know the players and how the team play. If we are in the Champions League, the players will find it easier to play for Spurs.
"When you play Champions League and the Premier League at the same time, it's very hard. This season we have a few important players who don't play in the Europa League so maybe it will be easier for us to finish in the top four. Last season you can't not play in the Champions League and say, 'Yeah we'll only play in the League'."
Spurs' bid to return to the top four took a knock after kicking off their campaign with heavy defeats against Manchester United and Manchester City before four consecutive wins - against Wolves, Liverpool, Wigan and Arsenal - reinforced the belief that they are genuine contenders.
"Everyone was down after the defeats against Man United and Man City," says Assou-Ekotto. "They are the best two teams. Even the 'big four' will have trouble against these teams this season. The minimum objective is to finish fourth because when you play Champions League it's good for everyone. If we can go higher we will do it but the minimum is fourth . . . and I am confident."
Playing in Europe's premier competition doesn't just help attract star names, it also helps keep those already at the club. Luka Modric provided a timely example of this over the summer when he publicly expressed his desire to move across London to Chelsea after Tottenham finished fifth last season.
But Assou-Ekotto wasn't surprised Spurs managed to hold on to the Croat despite receiving huge bids for the playmaker.
"If this situation was five years ago . . . yeah, I would've been surprised," he admits. "But now you see Tottenham, they have a project to make a big team and if they want to be credible they cannot sell Modric to Chelsea and say 'yeah but we still want to be a big team'.
"I understand him [Modric], though. Tottenham have a plan to become one of the great teams in England and the truth is Chelsea are already there so when you look at the money and what's being offered, you can understand the temptation because one is an aspiration and one is already a reality. And now the challenge for Tottenham is to be able to position themselves alongside the likes of Chelsea, so they must offer what Chelsea offer to attract big players and hold on to players."
One club many believe Spurs can now position themselves alongside are rivals Arsenal. After years of Arsene Wenger-inspired dominance, talk of a power shift is premature but Assou-Ekotto is in no doubt which half of north London he'd rather be playing in at the moment.
"What's amazing now is if you were to look at the individual names in both squads, I doubt very much a Tottenham player would look at the list and think he would much rather join Arsenal. So that says it all. You know for me, at the moment, I wouldn't say yeah I'd like to go to Arsenal because I would prefer to play with Modric than Arteta."
Good news for Tottenham, good news for Bale.
