A lot of players have qualities as former Arsenal captain, Patrick Viera and while they play a central role in midfield, dream to be like the French player.
And Ghana’s Olympic team offensive midfielder, Bennard Kumordzi who plays for Greek side, Egaleo is one of many young players who relish their dream to play like the former Gunner.
Kumordzi, says he is relishing that dream after his former coach and mentor, Swedish, Stefan Hellberg once told him that with hard work, he will fill the shoes of the Patrick Viera since both players have 95 per cent features including height, composure on the ball, attitude to tackling as well as inter-positional play.
For the 22 year-old player, a dream move in the summer to a much more challenging club like Arsenal could be the start to achieving that cherished dream.
“I have a secret admiration for Arsenal of England since I want to step into the shoes of former Arsenal superstar, Patrick Viera,” the Ghana player said.
However, his debut call up into the Black Stars did not surprise him after once earning Ghana coach Claude Le Roy’s praise when he played against Nigeria in an Olympic qualifier.
The player who earned his first cap for the senior national team of Ghana a little over a month ago during the team’s friendly with Brazil in Sweden, says he expects to settle for a role in Claude Le Roy’s team after enjoying about 15 minutes in the game against the former World Champions.
But for now Kumordzi’s role in the Olympic team remains his preoccupation.
“I am fully charged for the Black Stars and I think nothing can stop me from performing in the senior national team. But my biggest priority is to help the Olympic team, the Black Meteors win gold in the All African Games and also qualify for the Olympic Games in China.”
“In the game against Brazil, I sat on the bench 101 percent focused knowing that I might be asked to substitute someone.
“Playing against Brazil is not an easy task and in fact the fear of hearing the name Brazil alone can affect one’s performance negatively if you aren’t able to deal with the psychological aspect.
"So all that I did was to psyche myself mentally in order to overcome the mental deficiency of playing Brazil and that helped me perform well even though it was just for 16 minutes,” the player recounted his approach to the match against Brazil.
For Kumordzi, the most exciting period of that game (against Brazil) was when he got the ball past former World play of the Year, Ronaldinho and Diego.
“It gave me a good feeling and after the game, Swedish and BBC journalists interviewed me and asked whether I was under pressure, especially playing against Brazil for the first time but I said a big no to their question.
“It is better to play with a well established team and perform than play with a less known team and perform,” Kumordzi said.
When asked weather he might be able to get a work permit to play in England should a club come knocking, Kumordzi said, “it’s difficult since English laws are tough especially saying that a non-EU player must play 75% games for his national team before he can qualify.
“But there is a good clause in the UK law which says that, players with special or extraordinary skill can qualify, therefore, I think I can qualify to play in England.”
Kumordzi struck a 30-metre drive which passed AEK Athens’ goalie Sorrentino and immediately after that game, AEK Spanish coach Lorenzo Ferrar expressed serious interest in him.
When asked his opinion about the AEK interest, Kumordzi proclaimed, “AEK is a big team in Greece and in Europe and I wouldn't mind signing for them since they have a Champions League spot next season. But for now, my dream is to play for Ghana in the All African Games in June, and after that, make a major move into a meaningful club both Greece and abroad.”
