carlyluvsunited
23-01-2008, 07:35 AM
Alex: Door open to middle east footballers
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has insisted that the “door is open”
for footballers from the Middle East to secure a dream move to the Premiership
champions – if they follow the lead of star players from Japan and South Korea.
Despite qualifying for every World Cup since USA 1994, Saudi Arabia have
struggled to generate a flow of top players for Europe’s leading clubs, unlike the
Far East footballing superpowers.
South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung has proved a huge success at Old Trafford,
while Japanese pair Hidetoshi Nakata and Junichi Inamoto both had successful
spells in England with a number of different clubs.
Sami Al Jaber, the number one Saudi player, enjoyed a brief and unproductive
season with English club Wolves in 2001 before returning to Riyadh-based Al Hilal
and United manager Ferguson, whose team faced Al Hilal in Al Jaber’s testimonial
on Monday, insists that the Saudis have the talent to flourish abroad, but they
still need to close the gap on the Far East counterparts.
He said: “Twenty years ago, you would never have expected to see Japanese or
Korean footballers playing for big clubs in Europe.
“But they are now performing for top teams in Germany, Italy and England and
that’s because of the change of attitude over the years in those countries.
“What the likes of Japan and South Korea have done very well is develop their
young players and that is the key.
“Things are moving in Saudi Arabia. The standard of football is very good, but it is
all about youth level and developing those young players. Once you get one top
player playing in a big league overseas, it does so much for the profile and
reputation of that country.
“But if we, Manchester United, can help that potential develop by playing in these
countries, then we are delighted with that.” www.thestar.com
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discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
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Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has insisted that the “door is open”
for footballers from the Middle East to secure a dream move to the Premiership
champions – if they follow the lead of star players from Japan and South Korea.
Despite qualifying for every World Cup since USA 1994, Saudi Arabia have
struggled to generate a flow of top players for Europe’s leading clubs, unlike the
Far East footballing superpowers.
South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung has proved a huge success at Old Trafford,
while Japanese pair Hidetoshi Nakata and Junichi Inamoto both had successful
spells in England with a number of different clubs.
Sami Al Jaber, the number one Saudi player, enjoyed a brief and unproductive
season with English club Wolves in 2001 before returning to Riyadh-based Al Hilal
and United manager Ferguson, whose team faced Al Hilal in Al Jaber’s testimonial
on Monday, insists that the Saudis have the talent to flourish abroad, but they
still need to close the gap on the Far East counterparts.
He said: “Twenty years ago, you would never have expected to see Japanese or
Korean footballers playing for big clubs in Europe.
“But they are now performing for top teams in Germany, Italy and England and
that’s because of the change of attitude over the years in those countries.
“What the likes of Japan and South Korea have done very well is develop their
young players and that is the key.
“Things are moving in Saudi Arabia. The standard of football is very good, but it is
all about youth level and developing those young players. Once you get one top
player playing in a big league overseas, it does so much for the profile and
reputation of that country.
“But if we, Manchester United, can help that potential develop by playing in these
countries, then we are delighted with that.” www.thestar.com
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php