Footballers are not traditionally noted for their intelligence. The English midfielder Mark Draper is quoted as saying, Ӊ֤ like to play for an Italian club like Barcelona.ӠHe was sent out on loan to Spanish club Rayo Vallecano but it is not clear whether he ended up in Spain.
On a similar theme the great Liverpool and Welsh striker Ian Rush famously said that playing for Juventus was, Ӭike playing in a foreign country.ӠA player like Rush did not have to be the brain of Britain as he was one of the most clinical strikers ever to play the game.
The clever footballer РSteve Coppell
Like all generalisations the idea that footballers are stupid is not true. The Manchester United right winger Steve Coppell possessed an Economics degree from Liverpool University.
He had to retire from the game early at 28 due to his knee being shattered during a World Cup qualifier with Hungary whilst playing for England. He tried to continue playing for Manchester United and England despite the knee pain but eventually retired in October 1983.
It is not clear if his degree has helped him during his successful career as a manager but he is always extremely eloquent and astute when he gives his views on football matches.
Good in the air РIain Dowie
The big lad up front is not known for possessing any sort of intelligence. Used as a sort of human battering ram to wear down defences they rarely make incisive passes and are usually there just to nod the ball in the net.
Iain Dowie was different. Before he became a professional footballer he had completed a Masterֳ degree in Aeronautic Engineering from the University of Hertfordshire. He then went on to work for British Aerospace.
He swapped one high flying career for another after he was spotted by Luton Town playing amateur football. It is no surprise that he was good in the air.
The Guardian reader РGraham Le Saux
Possibly the best English left back to come from Jersey the clearly intelligent Le Saux dropped out of an Environmental Studies degree to join Chelsea.
In a successful career for Chelsea, Blackburn and England it is unfortunate that he is best remembered for being barracked by Robbie Fowler because he read the Guardian newspaper.
Fowler indicated that he thought Le Saux was gay (which he isnִ) because he did not read a tabloid and did not do the sort of things that footballers usually do. He obviously suspected his intelligence.
When he looks back on his career Le Saux may be more upset by the fact he had to watch Euro 96 wearing an ankle support as a broken ankle kept him out of the tournament.
The Physio РPaul Lake
Paul Lake was an elegant midfielder for Manchester City in the 80ֳ and 90ֳ who got a physiotherapy degree after he finished playing.
He suffered terribly from knee ligament injuries during his career and in ten years at City only managed to play 110 games. The decision to go to other side of the treatment table seems to have been a natural one for the former star.
With his first aid kit in his hand he really understands the way injuries affect footballers because he has been through it all himself.
Footballers are more intelligent than you think.