Fraizer Campbell Talks to AFR (Part One: Manchester United & Youth Development)
Interview conducted by Dominic Vieira
If you somehow don’t know of him already, Fraizer Campbell is a young, incredibly talented English forward who plays for Sunderland. At the age of 22, he is still developing and constantly improving, which is fairly frightening considering how talented he is already. Brought up through the Manchester United academy under Sir Alex Ferguson’s staff before going on loan spells with Royal Antwerp, Hull City, and Tottenham Hotspur, Campbell signed for The Black Cats last season in a £6 million deal.
I was very fortunate to ask Fraizer some questions, especially because he’s enjoying his holidays. I would like to thank him for answering the questions. The first part of the interview focuses on his youth development and his time at Manchester United.
1. After spending 5 years at Manchester United do you think you made the right decision to move?
After spending a long time with Manchester it is was good for me to get experience out on loan with Antwerp and Hull, it was great because I was seeing things and learning new things from the clubs I was at. It was the right choice because I wanted to play first team football and with the likes of Wazza (Wayne Rooney) and Berba (Berbatov), it was always going to be hard to get first team football. Sunderland is a great side and it’s good to be working under Mr. Bruce and Darren Bent.
2. How would you describe Sir Alex Ferguson as a person and as a manager?
Fergie is a great manager, one of the best around and it’s a brilliant feeling when he tells you that you have a future at a young age. He’s also one of the nicest men you will meet and for me, one of the best managers to ever step on this planet, if not the best.
3. In the 90’s Man. United launched a number of talented youth players such as David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. Why do you think there have been less youngsters coming through the ranks these past years at United?
The players that came through in the 90’s were the best of their generation. David Beckham is a prime example; he played for the best teams in the world and become a football icon. It’s more difficult to make it in this generation because football has become bigger, there are more people involved. Fewer youngsters have come through because it’s hard to give them a chance when the first team is fighting for the league title. So they get sent out on loan and it can be a negative thing sometimes.
4. How important and influential was the support from family and friends throughout your career, especially during your teenage years?
My parents were always watching my matches, even when I played for the school grammar team. It helped because when Manchester United signed me, I didn’t get carried away. My dad was there to help me and so were my friends.
5. Each year more and more foreigners are moving to play in the Premier League. How big of a threat is this for home grown players?
It’s always a challenge when foreign players come across and play, it’s obviously means there is a less chance of you playing, but it means you have to work harder. They also learn you stuff you didn’t know and it can be a positive to interact and understand different cultures.
6. What advice can you give to aspiring football players?
What I’d say to any youngster is keep calm and stay focused. Football takes a lot of practice and for anybody who wants to make it you have to be dedicated. Don’t let anybody tell you you’re not good enough and always give 100%.
On Tuesday we’ll publish the second part of Fraizer’s interview where he shares his thoughts on the imminent 2010 World Cup.
