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

**Taunton Blue Genie** · 19-02-15, 20:45

Tony 'Voodcock' made a decent fist of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuMM19Pkisw

I think he married a German woman, which helped.

Even Keegan made the effort:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EmxGqmvywo

**BlueWales** · 19-02-15, 20:50

Lineker yes , Mark Hughes no.

**Enoch Mort** · 19-02-15, 20:52

Michael Robinson became a Spanish TV Football pundit. He has also taken Spanish citizenship

**BlueWales** · 19-02-15, 20:53

Tony Cascarino learned French.

**SLUDGE FACTORY** · 19-02-15, 20:55

Ian rush ?

**Jordi Culé** · 19-02-15, 20:56

Originally Posted by SLUDGE FACTORY wrote on Thu, 19 February 2015 20:55

Ian rush ?

Being a gog who lived in Liverpool he was struggling with English never mind Italian.

**Peru Blue** · 19-02-15, 21:00

Bales Spanish is coming along ok apparently

**The G-Man** · 19-02-15, 21:00

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

**Taunton Blue Genie** · 19-02-15, 21:01

Originally Posted by Enoch Mort wrote on Thu, 19 February 2015 20:52

Michael Robinson became a Spanish TV Football pundit. He has also taken Spanish citizenship

Good shout.

**saganspirit** · 19-02-15, 21:03

Gerry Armstrong...

**The Bloop** · 19-02-15, 21:05

Steve McLaren had a go at Dutch didn't he?

**Barry Shitpeas** · 19-02-15, 21:05

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

**Jordi Culé** · 19-02-15, 21:06

Doesn't ex Forest/Arsenal player Tony Woodcock commentary in Germany?

I think he even talks In-gur-lish with a Kraut accent.

**valley boy** · 19-02-15, 21:07

Tosack

**Barry Shitpeas** · 19-02-15, 21:09

Originally Posted by valley boy wrote on Thu, 19 February 2015 21:07

Tosack

Never played abroad.

**valley boy** · 19-02-15, 21:10

He did swansea

**ninian200** · 19-02-15, 21:11

My guess would be 22 ?

**avarice** · 19-02-15, 21:12

Steve McMannaman?

Steve Archibald (has a chain of sports shops in Spain I believe)

Vinny Samways

Chris Waddle at Marseille?

Gordon Cowans at Bari?

Jermaine Pennant.

**Taunton Blue Genie** · 19-02-15, 21:14

Originally Posted by The G-Man wrote on Thu, 19 February 2015 21:00

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

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.

**BLUETIT** · 19-02-15, 21:34

Originally Posted by HP Source wrote on Thu, 19 February 2015 21:09

Tosack

Originally Posted by valley boy wrote on Thu, 19 February 2015 21:07

Never played abroad.

B 2 B.

**splott parker** · 19-02-15, 21:47

Good article in the current 4 4 2 about UK players who went to play in France in the 80s. Eric Black left Aberdeen for Metz in 1986 and stayed in France for 5 years. Says how he learnt 'dressing room' French which his wife picked up from him and embarrassingly used it at dinner parties

He himself eventually became fluent and at the moment is first team coach at Wigan. He reckons it has helped him no end in his coaching capacity with the influx of French/Africans into the English game in recent years.

19-02-15, 21:49

I understood David beckham became proficient in Spanish

**splott parker** · 19-02-15, 21:49

Originally Posted by valley boy wrote on Thu, 19 February 2015 21:07

Tosack

Typical Valleys, dropping your aitches

**Taunton Blue Genie** · 19-02-15, 21:55

Originally Posted by skewblue wrote on Thu, 19 February 2015 21:49

I understood David beckham became proficient in Spanish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4LJOVS6xxA

**Vinny Riley** · 19-02-15, 22:07

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

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