Meet the centre-half inspired by Bank (as in graffiti artist not World Cup win

An interview with a Premier League footballer does not usually take place at the National Portrait Gallery, but that is where Sebastian Prodl chooses to meet. Once inside there is a chance encounter with Sir Elton John – or at least a portrait of the former Watford owner and honorary life-president, called Elton John (‘On the throne’) by Suzi Malin. Even so, Prodl’s eye is drawn to another work close by, a self-portrait by David Hockney. “I always like the story behind a picture,” the Watford defender says.

It is one of the reasons his favourite artist is even more contemporary. “I was inspired by Banksy. I like his profile – not that he’s hiding, but that no one knows who he is. He has become a little bit commercial but I like the way he deals with problems in society. There are very strong messages.

“I have tried to buy one of his pieces but I didn’t have the b---s to do it. It’s expensive, maybe £200,000.”

Art and visiting galleries is part of the Prodl plan that he and his wife adopted when they moved to London in 2015. “We want to adapt, meaning learning the language as well as possible, maybe becoming a native one day. It’s part of the respect to the people where we live and get our money. What we said was, ‘London’s a big city, there’s a lot of noise, a lot of traffic, a lot going on. Which places do you go to get some peace?’ In London it’s a park or a gallery. And I go to a lot of galleries.

“I started with the Tate Modern. I had bought some art already and bought some more. I wouldn’t say I know art but I am interested. Maybe I like five per cent of what I see but I like to find out more. I also like photographs. I have some stuff of Muhammad Ali. I’ve got original pictures, portraits, signed by him, and he inspired me, as he was mentally strong, confident but not arrogant.”

Does he paint? “I don’t have any artistic ability,” Prodl says, laughing. “My family does but not in art, more in design, in furniture and carpentry. My granddad [Josef Prodl] started a company [making high-end kitchens] in which my

‘The Germans have a plan, you pass to the right-back, or to the other side, or you go back. It’s patient’

family is involved. I’m interested in furniture. I like architecture. I nearly became an interior designer or carpenter and would have done if I had not become a footballer.”

Prodl took the Tube to this interview. “A lot of people think London is too busy, too stressful but I get a lot of power out of London. I like the anonymity,” he says, having moved to the city when he joined Watford on a free transfer from Werder Bremen.

“The mentality in Germany is different,” the Austrian international says. “In Austria it’s like if you do something then 80 per cent is enough – you stop. In Germany they always go to the limit. It doesn’t matter if you are winning 2-0 or 3-0 you give 100 per cent and when your job is done you finish.

“That inspired me and helped me get better performances and also helped my personality to