Thread: Thai Footballer in Premier League?

Thai for English Premier League

Local media waxed lyrical this week at the prospect of national footballer Suree Sukha, who is reportedly to become the first Thai to play in the English Premier League.

Published on November 10, 2007


What once had been regarded as a distant dream of a Thai presence on such a world-class stage became a near reality after reports were leaked to the public that Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be flying to the Kingdom next Friday to sign a contract with the 25-year-old full-back.
Many had expected this to happen given that Manchester City is owned by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has signalled his intention of bringing the country's talents to the Eastlands outfit.
"What I would like to change is that I would like Thai footballers to have the opportunity to play internationally. In my position, I am now able to create opportunities for Thai footballers and to get more young Thais interested in football, because sport is important in Thailand and getting young Thai people more interested in sport is essential to the future of the country," Thaksin said recently on the Premier League "World TV" programme.
However, when Suree and his two national team-mates - teenage striker Teerasil Daengda and centre-back Kiatprawut Saiwaeo - returned home from a month-long trial at City in September, such optimism appeared to fade amid reports that the club's initial attempt to sign Suree had failed due to problems over a work permit.
This prompted the concerned parties to sort it out. The president of the Football Association of Thailand, Worawi Makudi, flew to England to hold talks with the Football Association and Premier League officials, while Chonburi football club decided to release Suree from his contract in order to allow Manchester City to sign him as a free agent outside the transfer window.
The stage now appears set for what will be a historic moment in Thai football when Suree puts his signature on the City contract. With such an event on the horizon, there has been a real buzz over Bangkok, with almost every soccer fan talking about it.
Given his impressive resume, the Sakon Nakhon native appears to be good value for the dream move to England.
Suree's football career started at Assumption Sri Racha School in Chon Buri province, where he made his name at youth level. He then became a member of almost every national side and was one of the few Thais to have experience at World Cup finals, when he represented the country in the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand eight years ago.
In the last SEA Games in the Philippines two years ago, Suree was part of the team that sealed a remarkable seventh consecutive title. He underlined his potential with a solid performance in the recent Asian Cup in June, which saw him picked as a member of the best eleven from the tournament's preliminary round.
Whatever Suree has achieved so far, though, will count for nothing when it comes to playing in such a top-flight league against some of the sport's biggest names.
People do not expect Suree to go straight into the City's first-team squad as there is still a lingering doubt over whether a Thai player can actually make it in the world's leading league. Moreover, Suree is well aware that he will have a struggle on his hands if he is to break into Eriksson's starting line-up, considering the stiff competition he will face for the right-back slot, with summer-signing Croatia international defender Vedran Corluka already looking a profitable investment.
"I'm not tough enough for the physical challenges in the Premier League. I'm also awkward in the air and still have problems in communicating with City players," said Suree, who is expected to receive about ฃ700 (Bt49,000) to ฃ800 per week.
"Am I good enough? I'm confident that I can play there. I'm as good as other players in the reserve team. I admit I'm still lacking in quality behind the first-team squad. If Sven really needs me, I will work hard to sort out my weaknesses."
Suree's move to the Blues also sparked a public debate as to whether it would be beneficial to his career. Some argue that he could further improve if he plied his trade in the top national leagues such as Japan's J-League, where he would have more chance of playing regularly.
However, most believe the move is well worth it since Suree will still be able to develop his skills, even though he may spend most of his time on the City bench.
Eriksson, meanwhile, stressed that next week's trip Far East trip, in which he also is due to visit China, was motivated purely out the desire to spread the "Blue" word in the region and nothing to do with the politics of the club's owner, Thaksin.
Kitinan Sanguansak
The Nation

Obviously Thaksin using his influence to impress the Thais. The funny thing is they think he might get on the bench.

In my position, I am now able to create opportunities for Thai footballers

Unfortunately it's skill, not connections, that allow players to excel outside Thailand. What a hopeless numpty.

interesting , this is round two ....................

round one faulted at the work permit hurdle .

already reported on sky news, he wont even make it to england.
he will either be loaned straight back to where he came or a jap team.
if he does come to uk it would be a loan too a 1st or 2nd div team.
he will never actually wear a city shirt.
sven said he was the best player in the thai leagues, yet even he cant get into the reserve/ 2nd 11. short of a miricle there will never be a thai player in the prem

It is a sad fact that Premire League football must be the hardest thing in the world to get into. Thaksin would love to see two or three Thai players becoming heros on the pitch - make him look good at home - but the other sad fact is that those Thai players are simply never going to cut it. They don't get the same experience they need when they are kids.

Thai players don't really know what team work is, they have no concept of the English game and really do act like a bunch of cry babies. The signs aren't great, but maybe Suree can get his head down, work and learn and maybe, just maybe he can get a start in a meaningless end of season game. I wish him luck, but have to say 'stay on your feet boy, its not cool to dive and roll like a b-movie actor'.

Good luck.

I thought that was the mark of a good soccer star -- rolling around like you're on fire. The sweet-cheeks referee skips over quickly and gives a emphatic yellow to the offending defenseman, allowing a penalty kick from 3 inches.

Oh the drama!

On second thought, you're right -- he'll never play. Thai drama is far inferior to the Premiership level.

Suree is the real deal
By Tor Chittinand

Thailand international Suree Sukha is set to become the first Thai player to sign for an English Premiership club when Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson arrives here on Friday to seal the agreement.

Football Association of Thailand (FAT) secretary-general Ong-Arj Kosinkar said Eriksson is also interested in Teerasil Dangda and Kiatprawut Saiwaew, who were at City on trial recently with Suree.

Suree was initially denied a work permit by Britain's Home Office but FAT president Worawi Makudi said he had talked to Premier League chief Richard Scudamore.

The official has promised to help sort out any problems.

According to the FAT chief, striker Teerasil and defender Kiatprawut could also be signed by City, who are owned by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

If the two get contracts, then City are likely to loan them to clubs in other European countries such as Switzerland or Belgium to hone their skills, Worawi said.

Worawi said City had agreed to help football development in Thailand and the FAT would send three young players to train at the English club next year as part of the agreement.

A press conference will be held at the Conrad hotel on Friday when Eriksson is expected to sign Suree and announce the co-operation agreement.

Eriksson will also visit China as part of a worldwide expansion programme which includes setting up academies in Asia.

"We plan to have academies all over the world," Eriksson was quoted as saying in the English press.

"The plan is to have the first ones opening in Thailand and China."

bangkokpost.net

I can't understand why they would be looking at defensive players. Surely attacking players would have more of a chance? A quick, skilful winger would be just the ticket.

Not at City, we have a strong forward line. Thai players don't tend to deliver on the wing, they tend to play route 1 football with some fixation with personal skill (like its a competition to out do each other). Thai football is strange, they need to grow up a lot, they need players like Suree to go to City and learn. They need then to bring it back and start with the team work, basic passes and not bloody run at the opposition or hoof it up front.

Suree will learn a lot, whether anyone will listen in Thailand when he comes back is another question, I still remember the ill-fated Chang trio at Goodison.....

he will never even touch a ball for city!
loaned out to some crap dutch or belguim team. man u do it every season.
good luck to him though,

Wales?

Originally Posted by Texpat

In my position, I am now able to create opportunities for Thai footballers

Unfortunately it's skill, not connections, that allow players to excel outside Thailand. What a hopeless numpty.

...not at all, there's an erection coming up and the thais love to be shafted...

Whole thing has fucked up already, these guys haven't been paid a penny

Originally Posted by Toxin Bastardo

In my position, I am now able to create opportunities for Thai footballers

Originally Posted by NickA

Whole thing has fucked up already, these guys haven't been paid a penny

Presumably those opportunities were to go to England and play for free