Sοl Campbell's exclusive interview
The english former was present at the recent 40th ECA General Assembly in Berlin. He speaks with Manos Staramopoulos of Discoveryfootball.com
Sol Campbell has written his own special story in English football. The tall former Arsenal and Newcastle international centre-back (he also played elsewhere) was present at the recent 40th ECA General Assembly in Berlin. We met him there and he happily agreed to speak to Manos Staramopoulos of Discoveryfootball.com
Sulzeer Jeremiah Campbell (born 18 September 1974) is an English professional football manager and former player who was most recently the manager of National League club Southend United. A centre-back, he spent 20 years playing in the Premier League and had an 11-year international career with the England national team.
Born in East London to Jamaican parents, Campbell began his career with Tottenham Hotspur in December 1992. He spent nine years at Spurs, scoring 10 goals in 255 appearances, and captaining the team to victory in the 1999 Football League Cup Final against Leicester City. In 2001, he joined Tottenham's North London rivals Arsenal on a free transfer, and as a result has remained a deeply unpopular figure amongst Spurs supporters. In his five years and 195 appearances at Arsenal, he won two Premier League winners medals and two FA Cup winners medals, encompassing the 2001–02 league and FA Cup double, and being part of the team that became known as The Invincibles for their undefeated 2003–04 Premier League campaign. He scored Arsenal's only goal in their 2–1 defeat to Barcelona in the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final.
In August 2006, he joined Portsmouth on a free transfer. His three years with the club included captaining them to victory in the 2008 FA Cup Final. He had a brief stint at League Two side Notts County before making a brief return to Arsenal and ending his career with Newcastle United.
Campbell gained his first of 73 full caps for England aged 21. In May 1998, Campbell became what was then England's second-youngest captain, after Bobby Moore, aged 23 years 248 days. In 2006, he became the only player to have represented England in six consecutive major tournaments, playing in the 1996, 2000 and 2004 UEFA European Championships; and the 1998, 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. He was named in the Team of the Tournament for the 2002 World Cup. He was in the PFA Team of the Year three times, in 1999, 2003 and 2004.
DF: How do you see this year's Premier League?
"I think it will be interesting, maybe even more than last year. The teams have strengthened enough and each one will claim the goals it has set".
DF: Will his team Arsenal, but of course also the later Newcastle manage to compete with the title holders, Manchester City?
"Of course. Manchester City may be looking strong again at the moment, but I feel that the moves that both Arsenal and Newcastle have made will put them in equal contention for the Premier League title...”
The Norwegian, Martin Ødegaard is the new leader of the gunners? Can we describe him as such?
"Of course. Odegaard had a great season and I think the new one will be even better for him and his team."
DF: Last year's surprise Brighton, will this year be able to stay at such high levels or can it go even higher?
"Brighton impressed everyone with the beautiful spectacle it offered. Their Italian coach, Roberto De Gerbi, did a very good job and now that he will have more time at his disposal, I think his team will claim more."
DF: The time is approaching for the selection of the best football player of the year who will receive the Ballon d'Or. Who do you see winning it?
"I think there will be a battle between Messi and Holland, but Rodri has certainly contributed a lot to City's success..."
DF: Let's go to the top European product, the Champions League. Which teams do you think will star again?
"Definitely Manchester City, Liverpool, Bayern, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain. It is still early to be able to have a better picture..."
Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Athens (Greece)
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