In a pretty frank interview with this weekend’s News Of The World, Tottenham new boy Sandro revealed he has employed the services of a head shrink.
Perhaps this signals a new dawn in the inventive ways Premier League footballers will find to burn their money. Or maybe, just maybe, this guy is taking his new role seriously. Let’s hope it’s the latter.
‘There are lots of players who have moved to Europe but returned immediately as they couldn’t adapt to their new countries. I know I will suffer and I’m going to have some difficulties when I move to London but I want to be prepared for that moment. I’m going to fight and stay in Europe.’
‘I don’t want to be a six-week wonder and then return home, like many Brazilian and South American players do. I want to make my career there and then return to Brazil – but only after I have achieved all my goals in Europe.’
‘I’m now doing some adaptation work with a psychologist. I’m nervous as no-one there in London knows me. The people there don’t know how I play so I will have to start from zero but that is part of football.’
‘The good thing is that I know that I’m going to face many problems in the beginning. It would be wrong if I go to England and think – Here I am, Sandro from Porto Alegre, they would send me back in one week. I will not be recognized there as I’m in Brazil today.’
‘Here, many people approach me on the street but I have to picture myself going out in London and no-one approaching me to talk. That will drive me mad. So that is why I’m working with a psychologist. I have to be prepared. I’m confident in myself, but I’m a little anxious to be going there right now.’
