Standing On The Shoulders Of a Giant

(Image Courtesy Of The Daily Mail)

Imagine standing on the shoulders of a giant? From those lofty heights you could go anywhere, and see everything. How does it feel like for Kasper Schmeichel standing in the gargantuan shadow of his father and goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel. In one part of your heart, an immense sense of security and certainty as to your possible future, on the other, an overwhelming sense of urgency, of needing to walk in your fathers footsteps.

Perhaps Kasper feels this way, perhaps not. Though reports are now stating that young Schmeichel is looking outwardly to other clubs, he needs the adventure of playing first team football, which unfortunately is lacking at Manchetser City. At 21 years of age, Schmeichel has many, many years ahead of him, though in no uncertain terms Sven-Goran Eriksson has given young Schmeichel the red light as to his future at City.

“I spoke to Sven last week and explained to him that I want to play first-team football,” said Schmeichel. “He said that he can’t promise me that, so if I am honest it looks like my future might not be at City.”

(Source: Odds Preview, Wed, 16th April, 2008)

It takes many years to develop as a goalkeeper, but sometimes in the rush to be the best we make the mistake of recreating the wheel, trying our luck at club after club (if we are lucky enough) in the hope of getting the illusive number 1 jersey. If we look at longevity as a measure of success, then young Schmeichel could certainly learn from his own father’s illustrious career (8 stellar years with Manchester United, and before this a UEFA Cup semi final appearance with Brondby), or even that of Australian Mark Schwarzer.

Lately i’ve been thinking about the notion of egoism as it applies to footballers. We live in a world where we wish to have only the best, be only the best. As a young footballer myself I remember the impatience I had in my heart. Ability in spades, but no resilience to work my way up the ladder, or even define what this meant in the long term. For a goalkeeper, being able to hold onto a clear goal as to where you want to be over 5-10 years is critical for success.

Young Schmeichel, certainly has choices to go anywhere and certainly be playing first team football wherever he wishes, but would it be regular first team football remains the question? Back to the notion of egoism. What I mean here is a natural condition of the human mind, that of being greater than who we think we are. But the problem here is that at a young age, we usually have not developed the capacity to clearly define who we are or where we want to be in the future.

As a young goalkeeper playing at the higher echelons of football, we get frustrated because it is natural for us to want to be number one…this is ego. Not anything abnormal by any stretch of the imagination, but it does nothing for longevity in ones career. Think of Casillas and his tenure with Real Madrid, he will certainly retire at Madrid in years to come. So, Kasper Schmeichel should think about shaping something for his future, of sticking to his guns and fighting for his position in the best competition in the world.

Yes, it takes time, and can be painful when Schmeichel looks at having to compete with other fantastic talents such as Joe Hart (and of not getting a run throughout the season). On the other side, sometimes when the door is closed by the powers that be, a goalkeeper needs to look elsewhere, so Schmeichels decision to look outward is justified. Though, my thoughts for any of you reading this, is if you are fortunate to have the opportunity to play at the higher tiers of competitive football, be patient. It takes many years to get to the next level, whatever that is for you, you have to define it.

In my mind and heart I still hurt at the notion of not being patient at Sydney United, of not defining my potential football career in terms of many years, instead of the rush and excitement of the present. Goalkeeping is an art form that involves pressure and time, how much you can withstand is the hallmark of great goalkeepers. Schmeichels future is certainly bright, but with the right mind set, and a resilient plan in place, one day I’m certain he may have his own children who will certainly be proud to stand on the shoulders of their own father…a goalkeeping giant.