Watford’s Marvin Sordell talks about his career, England, and the World Cup
Interview conducted by Dominic Vieira
Marvin Sordell is promising striker who plays for Watford. Sordell is not yet a world-renowned superstar, but we’ll certainly be hearing more about his talent over the next few years. He signed his first professional contract with the Championship side last April and played the 2009/2010 season for his club and represented Tranmere Rovers on a 2 month loan spell.
Sordell, at the brisk age of 19, has been compared to the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor and is set to have a prosperous future ahead of him. He has yet to represent the England youth teams, but if he continues to work hard, keep his feet on the grown and improve he could certainly get the call.
AFR had the great opportunity to talk with the young talent and the interview focuses on his career and the World Cup.
1. How much did it mean to you when you signed a professional contract with Watford in 2009?
I was over the moon. Becoming a professional footballer has been a dream of mine since I was 5 years old but then again it is only just the first step and I realise that there is a very long way for me to go.
2. After completing your first season at professional level what are your goals for next year?
Next season is a big season for me. I want to kick on and push for a regular place in the team and hopefully score a lot of goals.
3. What are the main differences between League One and the Championship?
I don’t really feel there is much of a difference between the two as you look at League One last season and there were massive clubs like Leeds, Southampton and Charlton to name a few who wouldn’t stand out in the Championship.
4. Now that you’re a professional footballer have your responsibilities changed?
As a professional footballer you have responsibilities to act as a role model within your community and to make sure that you represent your club and yourself impeccably.
5. How important and influential has the support from family and friends been?
My mum and sister couldn’t have been more supporting. Being driven around the country to play football in all sorts of weather, I always knew that they would both be there for me no matter what.
6. Is it important for every young footballer to have a strong support from their family and friends?
It is extremely important because nobody knows what’s best for you more than your family and they are the people who will support you through thick and thin.
7. How do you spend your free time?
I spend a lot of time with a few of the other boys from football as we all live quite locally to each other. We just chill out like normal 19/20 year olds would.
8. How did you manage to balance school and football?
As a schoolboy it was hard because I was playing for Fulham so most of my time was spent travelling. It was hard but I managed to juggle it around to ensure that I could give my best in both.
9. Do you ever miss not being able to have the social life a normal 19 year old has?
I wouldn’t say I am missing out on anything to be honest because I still get to go out with friends but I just know the right times to do it.
10. As a striker you’re expected to produce goals, what are the emotions you feel when you have scored?
Scoring a goal must be one of the greatest feelings in a game. It’s one of the only times during a game that you and the fans really become connected. There isn’t really a way to explain the emotions of it.
11. If you could choose one player to go one on one with who would it be?
I would want to go up against Maldini because he is talked of as one of the greatest ever defenders and as a footballer you always want to test yourself out against the best.
12. When you were younger who were the footballers you admired?
My heroes as a boy were Ian Wright and Thierry Henry. As I was a big Arsenal fan, I would try to watch them as much as possible and always looked to learn off of them.
13. Who would be your ideal striking partner?
My ideal strike partner would probably be Wayne Rooney because he is a complete player. Just to share a pitch with him would be a privilege.
14. How important is it to you to represent England at youth level?
It is an aim of mine. I’m sure most young players want to represent their country and I hope that I will be able to at some point during my career.
15. Who do you think are the contenders for the world cup?
The obvious teams like England, Brazil, Spain and Germany will be major forces but I can see other teams like Holland and Portugal making a real impact on the tournament.
16. How important is Rooney’s fitness to the England squad?
He is clearly the most important player in the England squad purely because of his ability so he needs to stay fit for England to have a chance.
17. How do you rate England’s chance?
If the team plays well collectively and they get a bit of luck, England can go all the way and win the tournament.
18. Which players are you looking forward to watch at the world cup?
I’m really looking forward to seeing Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in particular. Mainly because they are the two best players in the world, yet many have said to truly be great you must light up a World Cup. The stage is set for them.
