photo credit: Kieran Lynam
Sol Campbell has returned to Arsenal in a bid to get back to playing for the English National Team and to get back to “premier” Soccer. It is true that many times a player (in any sport) will return to their former team and not fair so well, but this time with Campbell might be different.
Campbell has no delusions about how he can be used by Arsenal. He’s even quoted as saying
“I want to play, and I am happy to play in whatever capacity Arsene Wenger asks of me. I hope if all goes well, that I can sign for the club.”
Honestly, I believe him. He knows that he can only do so much, that he can only train with the 2nd team right now, and that he’ll have to wait his turn. However, this is the kind of attitude that gains your teammates respect.
Moreover, he’s apparently on a six-month contract. I don’t know about the rest of you, but a six-month contract is not something most professional athletes would even want to hear of…much less sign. He knows that he can get where the “getting is good” and do the best he can.
It’s a testimony to Campbell and other pro athletes of character that he’s willing to take what he can get so he can make the best of his career. Martin Keown has suggested that Campbell could still play for England in the World Cup, but Campbell says:
“I need to stay fit, keep pushing and see what happens, but I have got to get going at Arsenal first.”
Once again this is a testament to how smart this guy is. He knows that if he starts lobbying to get on the National Squad he’ll look like the biggest jerk to walk the planet (until another one comes along tomorrow.) Plus, he knows that playing for England is a longshot so he’s keeping it realistic.
Some could argue that you have to have lofty goals in order to make your dreams reality, but I think Campbell’s realism is smart in today’s age. With the global economy in the tank and with so much young and fresh athletic talent in the world Sol Campbell is making the best of what he has. We should all take his lesson to heart.
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