Insua: European clubs lack patience with foreigners

Aug 1, 2012 3:42:00 PM

The Velez man believes that a focus on results can harm young players and their development, while praising his current club on the eve of the 2012 Inicial tournament

EXCLUSIVE
By Andres Roman

Velez Sarsfield midfielder Federico Insua has hit out at the way he and other non-Europeans are treated on arriving in the old continent, stating that coaches and fans are too focused on results at the expense of a player's well-being.

The 32-year-old enjoyed three spells across the Atlantic Ocean, playing for Malaga, Borussia Monchengladbach and Turkey's Bursaspor before moving back to Argentina with the Fortin at the start of 2012. He is currently preparing for the start of the Inicial season, with Velez meeting 'Pocho's' first club Argentinos Juniors in the opening round this Friday.

Speaking to Goal.com, the well-travelled star admitted that he was disappointed with how his European adventure turned out, and laid the blame at the door of those in charge of the continent's major clubs.

"[In Europe] they have less patience with the foreigners. They take you over there to start getting immediate results," he explained, adding that such an atmosphere can damage the development of young payers.

"You miss a lot of things at an age full of lessons, that you will never get back. You can grow a lot personally, but in footballing terms what hurts the most is when a coach appears who does not have time for you."

Insua played 20 times for Velez in the first half of 2012, scoring seven goals; and he believes that in terms of institutional stability there is not much difference to be found between the Liniers outfit and Europe's strongest sides.

"Everything is very organised, they are a club that thinks about the big picture. They have also been doing the little things well for a while, and that makes a difference. In Velez, everything is done with great respect for the footballers," he stated.

Federico has lifted silverware with three clubs, an Interliga title in Mexico while playing with America adding to national and continental championships secured wearing the colours of Boca Juniors and Independiente in his native land.

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