Exclusive: Rio Ferdinand Talks The Chance & Pre-Season
Four months after selecting his First Find, Rio Ferdinand resumed his scouting duties for Nike's The Chance, making an appearance at the UK Final. SoccerBible was given exclusive inside access to Manchester United's training complex where we caught up with Rio to chat The Chance, pre-season and the moment he was first scouted.
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After returning from his summer break, the Manchester United defender made his first stop-off at United's Carrington training ground, where he cast his eyes over the remaining Nike Chance UK finalists before sharing his thoughts with the Nike coaching panel.
There are a few boys that have been good, but I think you've got to consider that although they've done well here, will they be able to transfer that onto a world tournament situation at the finals in Barcelona. There are a few players here that I think have the potential to get signed up in our country. |
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From progressing through the youth ranks at West Ham United to captaining Manchester United and England, Ferdinand has enjoyed a career that each of The Chance finalists dream of. Like all professional footballers, their journey began from the moment they were first scouted.
For Ferdinand, his first break came when he was scouted for Queens Park Rangers. I was playing for Bloomsfield, my local Sunday team. It's an amazing feeling, I remember what it was like. It gives you that boost that you want to go on and continue and get better.
As all top-flight teams return to pre-season training, Rio knows that this is where the hard work really kicks in. I've been on holiday for the last five or six weeks and the last two of those weeks I've just been training by myself just to get ready.
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When you come back for pre-season you've got 17, 18, 19 year olds running around your ankles and flying about who don't need a pre-season to be fit and sharp. So I've got to come back, hit the ground running and be ready.
The month before the start of the season is critical to any player. This year Manchester United will precede their 2012/13 campaign with a global tour. The trip includes matches in far-flung countries such as South Africa, China, Norway and Sweden and includes a glamour-tie with Barcelona. |
For Rio, it's another chance to get the camera out as he plans another set of video diaries. This year I've got a few tricks up my sleeves that I'm going to bring out for the boys so you're going to see them in a different light and not just running around a football pitch.
With a new season comes new kits, new balls and most importantly new boots. Nike normally give me a couple of pairs of moulds and a couple of studs just to be safe. Throughout the season, for every new style that comes out you get a new batch again. I'm looking forward to seeing the new colourways at the beginning of the season.
We were speaking exclusively to Ferdinand at The Chance UK Final. See all the action from the final day here. Share your thoughts online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
