Futbolita Exclusive
Jamie Redknapp is recognised internationally for his prolific 16 years as a midfielder in the Premier League across reputable teams such as Liverpool and Tottenham. He first established himself as a key midfielder at Anfield and eventually earned his stripes to become captain of Liverpool in 1999 where he led his team to numerous victories. The former player and TV pundit was in Singapore and Malaysia recently, and sat down with Futbolita.com for a chat.Â
On Liverpool winning the league :Â
“I mean, it’s just, I mean they’ve won it. I think everybody knows that it’s just a matter of time now. And then I think once is wrapped up; how they carry on hopefully, they can sustain this form and obviously challenge in the Champions League.”
“But whatever happens, it’s been an amazing season; once they’ve won the league, I think they just they deserve their own place in history as one of the great teams in the Premier League. I think they should be so proud of what they’ve done.”
On Liverpool waiting 20 years to win it :
“Yes, but that’s life, of course, football is tribal. And Man United fans are going to be disappointed. But Liverpool had to wait 30 years for this, and it might take Man United 20 years who knows. I mean I signed for Liverpool the last time they won the league, I think that was the year I signed in 91, they were the Premier League holders, and they have not won the league since.
“If I ever said that then, or someone would have said to me Liverpool are not going to win the League in 30 years, I would have put you in a straitjacket. I would have said that cannot happen, it’s impossible, but it can, and that’s football.”
Champions League predictions :Â
“Okay. I’m going to go for Liverpool. Yes, why not? I mean they’re the form team. The only thing that might stop them is if they take their foot off the gas after winning the league. But I still would back them, because they’ve got something special, they’re winning all the time, they won it last year.
They’ve got the best defender in the world; they’ve got an amazing front three anyone would want. So right now they’re favorites as well, so I’m not saying anything out of the ordinary, they’re the bookmaker’s favorite as well. So I think Liverpool to win the champions league as well, yes.
On his role at Cadbury and his favourite chocolate:Â
“Cadbury have got a lot of ambassadors involved like Michael Owen, ex-players Gary Neville myself. We were doing it about a year, and it’s a buy and win. So if people buy Cadbury’s chocolate, they get an opportunity to win prizes. Namely, one to go and watch the Premier League game, which is a brilliant experience. And obviously, they’re so passionate about their football in Malaysia and Singapore. It’s great watching on the TV, but it’s another thing going to watch a game. So whoever wins it will be very lucky.”
“I do like chocolate, I can’t lie. Who doesn’t? I’m dairy milk or diary milk of all, though. Quite simple, really, they’re my favorite. Cold, it has to be in the fridge. That’s the only thing, if it’ not in the Fridge, I don’t like it as much.”
On Virgil van Dijk’s momentÂ
“There’s not a club in the world who wouldn’t want him. I mean there must be so many scouts and managers and clubs looking and thinking, why did we buy him? Why didn’t we get him when he was at Celtic? Why didn’t we get him when he was at Southampton? I mean, I found it amazing that someone I used to watch him play for Celtic. I think why is no one buying this guy.”
“He’s 6ft5, he makes the game look so easy, doesn’t even need to wash his kit after the game, and it’s like why is no one buying him? Listen I think it’s like anything, Liverpool is an amazing place to play, you’ve got the best manager, you’ve got the credible fan base. As long as Liverpool pay him the money that he’s worth, and put him on the top, and I’m talking about the top earners in the world.”
“If they do that, I’m sure he will stay. If Juventus or something like that below or he wants to have a change, or maybe try different league, he wants to go play for Barcelona then who knows. But right now, I don’t think he’d want to be anywhere else, they love him, he’s a god.”
On whether social media is changing modern-day footballers
“In the past, we weren’t more focused, there just wasn’t social media. No, I don’t think you can say that. No, I think it is what it is. The world is changing; there’s more pressure on players because some players they like to put their life out there, some players are not on social media. So I don’t think it’s any worse or better. I think it’s harder for players now because everyone has a camera phone; everything they do is scrutinized, whereas we could do more and get away with it.”
On women in football :Â
“I find it amazing that we still have to talk about it or have to have a month dedicated to (women in football). I just can’t wait for the day where it’s just; people shouldn’t have to fear playing football or having to come out to say that they’re straight, gay, or whatever. And one player or someone comes out; I think he’ll make the game, maybe so much better and refreshing for other people to come out and be open about it as well because it must be an awful situation to not be able to be your true self when you want to be a sportsman or a sportswoman.”
On making it as a professional footballer :Â
“I think there are no shortcuts; I think that’s the thing. Sort of you have to work harder than anybody else; you have to be more dedicated than anybody else; you have to be fitter and tougher. If you think that training like everybody else will make you a footballer, then you’re in the wrong game. And especially here where you have to work that extra bit harder to get noticed, and maybe you have to travel more, which is not always easy.”
“But I think the game now and especially the Premier League is so worldwide and it needs just one or two players to break through I think that’s the key. And obviously, a few Japanese players have come over to the Premier League (Minamino) -Â he’s come, and he’s going to go and be a really exciting player for Liverpool.”
“When I grew up, I didn’t want to be a footballer for the lifestyle, I wanted to be a footballer because I wanted to play football and I think that’s what you always have to remember.”
“It’s not about the cars, it’s not about the Instagram, it’s not about the life, and it’s about being a footballer and working hard. And if you can get that dedication like Ronaldo, he’s got more followers than anyone else in the world, but he works harder than anyone else in the world, and he’s a good example.”
On inspiring the next generation of footballers :Â Â
“My dad (coach Harry Redknapp) inspired me a bit, but I think it has to come from within as well. I’ve got kids; I can’t push them, I can only push them so much if they even want to do it or they don’t. They want to go out in the morning for a run, when everyone else is getting ready for bed, or after school go for a run.
“That’s what I did; I wanted to be a footballer. And I think that’s what Frank Lampard has done, Steven Gerrard, all the great players I know, they’ve all just dedicated themselves a bit more than anyone else. There’s no magic wand; you can’t just say because someone’s got a talent or a gift, you’ve still got to work hard.”
