After a below par £8million move to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal (at the expense of a rookie Zlatan Ibrahimovic, incidentally), Jeffers’ career descended into free-fall. What followed over the next decade was an amalgamation of bizarre events, including being kicked out of Sheffield Wednesday for violent conduct, resulting in Jeffers essentially becoming the typical football journeyman (in just over 10 years, Jeffers has played for 10 different clubs and is currently residing in the Maltese Premier League with Floriana FC). Unfortunately, it became apparent that Jeffers was not as good a player as had been portrayed and, as his career can attest, the weight of pressure on a promising young footballer’s shoulders can be highly influential indeed.
“The future of the game relies on making football a safe and enjoyable experience for children and young people, whether they are playing, watching, refereeing or pumping up balls or putting up nets.”
– Brian Barwick, FA Chief Executive (2005-2008)
Former FA Chief Executive Brain Barwick has previously stated that football relies on safeguarding its participants (especially those of a young age). However, whilst the FA is reportedly investing nearly £1milion a week in grassroots football (via The Guardian), it appears that young talent is effectively thrown to the lions once they reach the big leagues of the Premier League or Championship. Zaha, and various others before him, has only been playing for a senior team for little over 2 years and, at the ripe age of 20, seems to have the world of football in the palm of his hand.
This is a favourable situation for Zaha to find himself in, but he needs to be wary. Fame, fortune and the resulting pressure can quickly go to one’s head; a fact that unearths several key questions about young players in today’s game – is the pressure on Zaha etc. a neglect of talent safeguarding? What procedures are in place to protect players that are given the world at such a young age? The answers to these questions are somewhat unclear; however it is encouraging to see recent reports of Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers refusing to overplay Raheem Sterling in an effort to protect the youngster from mental and physical burnout.
With rumours currently circulating that Zaha will be making a January big-money move to Manchester United, Manchester City or Arsenal (believed to be in the £10-15million region), it is clear that the Selhurst Park starlet is in the midst of an important stage of development. Going forward, it is clear that guidance is needed in keeping him level-headed and healthy in his game. This way, Zaha has every opportunity to grasp his true potential, something that unfortunately cannot be said for Francis Jeffers, Owen Hargreaves and the scores of other young players who could not live up to their initial promise.
Wilfred Zaha himself said “Unless I’m looking at Ronaldo or Messi, I’d never look at someone else and think he’s better than me.” For the sake of his fledgling career and the future of English football, this writer hopes that he can live up to the pressure that has been placed firmly on his shoulders.
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