SA youngster answers Kop’s call to become the new Gerrard
A MONTH after Liverpool captain and legend Steven Gerrard bid an emotional farewell to the Kop at Anfield, young Michael Schultz from Alberton will fly to Merseyside next week hoping to emulate one of England’s greatest midfielders.
“I’d rather be like Cristiano Ronaldo,” the shy Schultz said on Thursday as he waited for training with his club Mpumalanga Black Aces to begin. “Ronaldo is my favourite player (in the world). Steven Gerrard is my favourite player at Liverpool. I’ve watched him and maybe I can be like him.”
The 11-year-old, who plays for Aces’ under-13s, is to train with Liverpool’s under-12s for a week, starting from June 23, after he was spotted by Reds legend John Barnes, who is often in the country as an instudio football analyst for Uefa Champions League matches.
Like Barnes, Schultz is a skilful left-footed player who uses his pace to leave defenders sprawling in his wake.
During his training session on Thursday evening at the Greek Sports Club, Schultz dribbled his way past players as though they were not there and scored the first goal in a training game. It’s no wonder Barnes did not hesitate to convince Liverpool to give the youngster a full week in training to impress the youth coaches at the club.
“Last year Michael went to watch Liverpool versus Manchester City at Anfield,” his mother Leonie says. “We got invited by John Barnes. He organised training for a day and Michael played with the under-12s. They were very impressed and so about a month ago John Barnes called and said he would like Michael to take part in a full week’s training. We became friends with John through a mutual friend.”
Judging from what he has achieved so far, Schultz has the potential to make a mark at Anfield.
“He started playing soccer when he was seven for Rovers. They did not lose a game the whole season and it was the same when he played for the under-8s,” Leonie says.
“Last year he was selected for the under-10s Easterns team.
“He represented South Africa in Holland at the Robin van Persie tournament. He was invited to take part in trials. He went through seven stages of trials until he was selected for the final team. He is a very gifted boy. He has the potential and passion.”
And of course, the talented youngster is excited ahead of his trip. Having already posed for pictures with midfielders Jordan Henderson and Coutinho and legends Robbie Fowler and Kenny Dalglish on his last trip, there’s hope that he is going to Liverpool to stay.
“It’s very exciting. I have been there before, but I am excited to go again.
“My dad has been telling me a lot about Liverpool. He was mainly talking about John Barnes and he told me what Steven Gerrard used to do. So I just started supporting the same team as my dad.”
The youngster dribbled his way past players as though they were not there His mother and brother will move to England with him should they keep him
The Liverpool slogan is “you’ll never walk alone”, so Schultz is not going to be alone if he makes it at Liverpool. His mother and younger brother Matthew will move to England with him should they want to keep him.
“We have spoken about it. If he gets selected one day we’ve decided we will move. We are his number one supporters.”
The youngster’s coach, Toby Dias, says Schultz has matured faster than his older teammates in the under-13 team.
“He is an 11-year-old playing in the under-13s, but he is physically strong enough.
“He has an ability to run off the ball. I play him as a number nine and his runs are very good for an 11-year-old. Unfortunately, the boys who are 13 do not always see those runs. We have been very happy with his performances.”