End up like Balotelli? No way says rising Baah
KWADWO BAAH has gone from class clown to model pro on the way to becoming one of the most talked about young talents in English football.
The Rochdale winger, EFL Young Player of the Month for January, right, was linked with a deadline-day move to Manchester City.
Although the move failed to materialise, City could yet come in for Baah this summer when he is a free agent, with West Ham also keen on the gifted 18-year-old.
But it could have been a different story had he not been released by Crystal Palace at 14.
“I wouldn’t say I was a very bad kid, it was just behaviour issues, messing around,” said Baah. “I didn’t really take many things seriously.When I got released by Palace, I knew I had to grow up.
“Being silly and not taking things seriously won’t get you anywhere.With my ability, I can’t waste it.You’ve seen the likes of Mario Balotelli – their mindset didn’t take them far.
You have to mature.
“Coming into men’s football you have to grow up quickly because it’s no joke. I thought I was fast in academy football but in men’s football they’re faster, stronger, they read the game well, so I had to adapt.” Baah enjoyed a brief taste of fame in 2016 when as a 13-year-old ball boy he ran on to the pitch at Selhurst Park and put the ball down to stopWest Ham keeper Adrian from time-wasting. “I got teased a lot about that,” said Baah. “People say it showed I have a lot of confidence, which I think I do. “But right now my focus is on Rochdale, getting more appearances and goals.”