While the media focuses on the fact that Carlos Tevez is set for a 6-week suspension by Manchester City (good news for Balotelli, Dzeko, and Aguero Fantasy Premier League owners), Tottenham’s left back Benoit Assou-Ekotto looks to be on the complete opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to player/club relations but of course, his story is being much less widely distributed or circulated.
So why don’t we clue you in..
The underrated left back, available at just 5M in the Fantasy Premier League, has played every minute of every game for Harry Redknapp’s men this season. Yup, his long term fantasy prospects look solid if Tottenham can keep it tight at the back. But let’s forget about his skills, and take a look at his attitude and mindset – a stark contrast to Tevez’s would be the understatement of the century.
According to the Guardian, “The full-back was chased by the nouveaux riches of Paris St-Germain in the summer” and while the likes of his teammate Luka Modric and others were looking for transfers or wage raises, Assou-Ekotto stayed loyal and decided to stay in London. But the story goes one step further…
“Assou-Ekotto did not travel to Wigan Athletic with the squad three weeks ago as he was suffering from illness but the manager Harry Redknapp called him the night before the game to ask how he was and wonder if he could yet feature. Assou-Ekotto took a taxi to Wigan at 7am and he played the 90 minutes in the 2-1 victory. There is the strong sense of attachment to the cause.”
Suffering from illness. Out of the squad. Gets a call from the manager the night before a match to come play. Takes a taxi at 7:00AM to Wigan. Plays 90 minutes in a 2-1 win.
And Tevez can’t come off the bench in a Champions League match in Munich? Assou-Ekotto loves football. He clearly loves Tottenham. And it’s just a nice, simple story of one man’s love for the game and respect for his manager.
To Tottenham fans, congratulations on a superb left back. To Fantasy Premier League managers, Assou-Ekotto, at 5M, is a cheap entry point into Totteham’s defense, though if you can afford Kaboul or Walker at the extra 0.5M or 0.4M respectively, you could see a few more attacking returns.
Carlos Tevez, in sum, should be ashamed of himself. That’s a sentence well worth typing.
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You should probably have read this before saying “Assou-Ekotto loves football” : http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/may/01/benoit-assou-ekotto-tottenham-hotspur
While he would always give 100% for Spurs, he’s never made any secret of that fact that football, for him, is just a job.
Well, at least he does his job well. He may not be a club diehard, but he is a consummate professional.
Awesome story, my respect grows for him considering how player power is dominating in this age.
awesome lad.i’m rooting for him
‘I play for the money. Football’s not my passion’, Benoit Assou-Ekotto (2010).
Surely your article is a joke.
A taxi from London to Wigan? Lucky he’s playing for money. Must have cost a fortune!
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This post is spot on. Thank you to those pointing out the remarkable 2010 telegraph article that comes up 2nd on a google search of Assou-Ekotto. Of course he plays for the money. That doesn’t mean this article is a joke. It is a testament to his dedication and sense of responsibility to his club. The exact opposite of the disgraceful Tevez.
I agree with Mark. If anything, Assou-Ekotto’s nakedly honest ‘mercernary’ nature makes his professionalism that much more consummate and admirable.