Professor sheds light on footballing doodles
A PSYCHOLOGIST has revealed his theories behind a series of doodles penned by Manchester City players.
Prof Cary Cooper, from Poynton, took on the job of analysing the scribbles made during a press conference in Abu Dhabi last week. Sergio Aguero is thought to have drawn a smoking devil-type creature, midfielder Fernandinho created a neat football pitch, while new goalkeeper Willy Caballero displayed impressive penmanship with a cartoon of a businessman walking away from his car.
Prof Cooper, an organisational psychology expert at Lancaster University, said the drawings suggest Aguero sees Chelsea as the devil, Fernandinho is focused on the game and Caballero is just getting on with the job.
He said: “I think Aguero’s mind might be going to the game against Chelsea that’s coming up. I think Chelsea may be the devil type character.
“City is the lion, while Chelsea is the devil.
“From the names, maybe he’s also thinking about Frank Lampard because he helped them last time they had a draw and he was a Chelsea man who now plays for City.
“Also, Yaya Toure won’t be there because he’ll be in the African Cup.”
Prof Cooper said Caballero’s skilled scribblings show his willingness to get on with the job – despite defeat against Arsenal.
He added: “I think this is a perception of himself. He’s saying ‘I’m in a job just like any other job – I drive to work, I do my job, it’s just a game’.
“I think it’s positive. He’s saying I’ve had a bad day at work but it will be better next time. He’s also a very talented artist.”
Fernandinho is totally absorbed with the game in hand. Prof Cooper said: “Basically he’s totally focussed on football.
“It does seem like he’s tried to incorporate the letterhead into the goalposts, in which case he could be saying we are the current kings and we are going to knock Chelsea off the top.”
All in all he said the doodles are positive for City. He added: “It’s all very unconscious. Two of them are clearly thinking about the big game. It’s all positive in a funny sort of way – but we’ll know on the day.