How many British players have mastered a language when playing abroad?

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Laurie Cunningham was a fluent Spanish speaker as well as a fantastic footballer

Cunningham Linguist?

[Majorblue]

Paul Gascgoine almost became competent in English when he moved to Italy.

[Vinny Riley]

Paul ince learnt Italian in 6 months

[BlueWales]

Tosack

Never played abroad.

Shagged a few broads too.

[The G-Man]

John Charles was fluent in Italian after playing for Juventus for a number of years. Ray Wilkins as well after his time at Milan.

The definition of 'fluent' is a bit of a moving feast though. British people often describe themselves as 'fluent' when 'language competent' would perhaps be more accurate description.

http:// www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/8127546/Che lsea-consider-promoting-Michael-Emenalo-to-replace-Ray-Wilki ns.html

[BlueWales]

John Charles was fluent in Italian after playing for Juventus for a number of years. Ray Wilkins as well after his time at Milan.

The definition of 'fluent' is a bit of a moving feast though. British people often describe themselves as 'fluent' when 'language competent' would perhaps be more accurate description.

Not very thinly veiled boast methinks.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

John Charles was fluent in Italian after playing for Juventus for a number of years. Ray Wilkins as well after his time at Milan.

The definition of 'fluent' is a bit of a moving feast though. British people often describe themselves as 'fluent' when 'language competent' would perhaps be more accurate description.

There is sometimes a big difference between making oneself understood very well (and understanding everyday conversation) as opposed to being involved in complex matters where a high level of language is required. It never ceases to impress me how so many non-native English speakers impress at international meetings and conferences that I am involved in.

The meetings are in English.

[Llanharan Blues]

John Charles was fluent in Italian after playing for Juventus for a number of years. Ray Wilkins as well after his time at Milan.

The definition of 'fluent' is a bit of a moving feast though. British people often describe themselves as 'fluent' when 'language competent' would perhaps be more accurate description.

Your probably right there, if Mrs Windsor heard my speak English, she'd probably ask what Language was I speaking, lol.

[Bluemellons]

Lineker was most impressive learning Japanese and Spanish.

[TruBlue]

Joèy Bartòn

[Bogota Blue]

Jonathan Woodgate.

[Monster munch]

David platt was pretty good with Italian. Sampdoria, Bari and somewhere else for 3/4 years I think

[Vinny Riley]

David platt was pretty good with Italian. Sampdoria, Bari and somewhere else for 3/4 years I think

Juve

[MarcP]

Paul Elliot speaks Italian (played for Pisa)

John Collins is reasonably proficient in French (Monaco)

[Blue Tone]

Kevin Keegan spoke German when he went to Hamburg.

[Blue Tone]

Dave Jones. The surly scouser is handy at Japanese I believe.

I thought it was Mandarin he learnt

[lardy]

John Charles was fluent in Italian after playing for Juventus for a number of years. Ray Wilkins as well after his time at Milan.

The definition of 'fluent' is a bit of a moving feast though. British people often describe themselves as 'fluent' when 'language competent' would perhaps be more accurate description.

There is sometimes a big difference between making oneself understood very well (and understanding everyday conversation) as opposed to being involved in complex matters where a high level of language is required. It never ceases to impress me how so many non-native English speakers impress at international meetings and conferences that I am involved in.

Did you know that TBG is very well travelled?

[Taunton Blue Genie]

John Charles was fluent in Italian after playing for Juventus for a number of years. Ray Wilkins as well after his time at Milan.

The definition of 'fluent' is a bit of a moving feast though. British people often describe themselves as 'fluent' when 'language competent' would perhaps be more accurate description.

There is sometimes a big difference between making oneself understood very well (and understanding everyday conversation) as opposed to being involved in complex matters where a high level of language is required. It never ceases to impress me how so many non-native English speakers impress at international meetings and conferences that I am involved in.

Not very thinly veiled boast methinks.

I don't really travel in my job as the meetings I attend have almost all been in the UK. My OP is about the laudable attributes of footballers who have worked abroad. How it is meant to reflect on me is baffling

[lardy]

You say baffling but have you really absolutely no idea what BlueWales is referring to?

[Taunton Blue Genie]

John Charles was fluent in Italian after playing for Juventus for a number of years. Ray Wilkins as well after his time at Milan.

The definition of 'fluent' is a bit of a moving feast though. British people often describe themselves as 'fluent' when 'language competent' would perhaps be more accurate description.

There is sometimes a big difference between making oneself understood very well (and understanding everyday conversation) as opposed to being involved in complex matters where a high level of language is required. It never ceases to impress me how so many non-native English speakers impress at international meetings and conferences that I am involved in.

Impressive on the behalf of Wilkins in that article

[Taunton Blue Genie]

You say baffling but have you really absolutely no idea what BlueWales is referring to?

I am more monkey than organ grinder at such meetings so yes. Attending such events in a junior capacity and admiring those with greater skills and aptitudes than I have myself is hardly meant to impress.

[BLUETIT]

Kevin Keegan spoke German when he went to Hamburg.

B 2 B.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Kevin Keegan spoke German when he went to Hamburg.

Das a good job then, being as Hamburg is in Germany.

And that post-match interview was must have been about 35 years after leaving Hamburg.

[Mick the Miller]

Dave Jones. The surly scouser is handy at Japanese I believe.

I thought it was Mandarin he learnt

Would have been Cantonese in Hong Kong.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Dave Jones. The surly scouser is handy at Japanese I believe.

I thought it was Mandarin he learnt

Would have been Cantonese in Hong Kong.

Presumably he could make himself understood in Canton.