Hi, Crawley fan in peace. Just been doing some research for a football blog I'm writing during my time off from Uni and came across a Wesley Sneijder quote re: English Premier League When asked what he thought of the Premier Legaue he said: "No, I don't really like (the Premier League) It relies on monster players who can barge their way through defences. We (Ajax) try to pass through teams, we use clever movement and technical ability, not just strength. I respect the fans in England, they're loud but they can be stupid. They get on the back of the team if they're not winning. England are 20 years behind the rest of the best footballing nations." Granted, this was said during his time at Ajax, he was a lot younger then but does this change your opinion on him? Let me know what you think...
ie drogba, carroll, rooney, adebayor, elekobi... (not as bad as it used to be but there are still clubs utilising route one football with a big man up front. Then again it works at times.) liverpool, but its more the staff, owners etc. we would attack the glazers if we started dropping places. in terms of youth setup and international sides we are a fair bit behind.
He is sort of right tbf. Although saying all teams rely on that is wrong for sure. I'll bet he's changed his mind after seeing English teams' success in the champions league over the last few years, showing we can play football.
there are pleny of continental players who said negative things (right or wrong in what they've said) and have ended up playing in the prem. I see no reason why Wes will be any differant ..... or maybe one - his wife!
Judging by the way he has said this, this was a long time ago and when he was very young. I'm sure his thoughts on the English game have now changed at the age of 27. I'm sure most young Holland players are now still told the English P.L is rough haha lol.... But "England are 20 years behind the rest of the best footballing nations" apart from our piss poor nation team I totally disagree with this has over the last 5 years English teams have done more in the C.L (facts speak for them self).
Not wanting to cast aspersions on the honesty of Mr Injunction, but there is no evidence that Sneijder ever said that. Ever. Not that I'm calling him a liar or a wum or anything...
20 years behind everyone else? Wow then how have we had 4 different teams in the Champions League Final in the past 6 years? It seems back then Sneijder was a young kid no understanding of this league (like Nohlman) but considering he has been plying his trade in the country that actually IS 20 years behind the times then perhaps it has opened his eyes a bit.
To be fair, back then we hadn't had 4 teams in 6 finals of the CL. English footballs rise to the top of Europe is only a recent thing really even if you cinsider Uniteds triumph in 99, it was still 6 years till Liverpool won it again. Regardless if he said that or not, you can only compare what was said to how English football was at the time it was said.
Wesley Sneijde has also said*, " I would love to play for UTD and destroy the bin dippers and KPR once and for all" * I may be talking ****, but sound about right for paper talk
