' Wales and star James Chester reveals mental torment '
Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:30 am
Wales and Aston Villa FC star James Chester reveals mental torment he went through during West Brom nightmare
Wednesday 17th August 2016
BY PAUL ABBANDONATO
'Mentally I was in a place that I had never been before' admits Chester - then came Wales' magical Euro journey and a complete turnaround in mindset
Wales Euro 2016 ace James Chester has revealed how playing next to Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey out in France lifted him from the football doldrums.
Chester, who has joined Aston Villa for £7million, admits he was shot mentally after being made a West Brom outcast under Tony Pulis.
The Welsh Euro star made just nine Premier League starts during a miserable first season at the Hawthorns, interest from elsewhere was low and some even labelled him an £8m flop.
Chester hit his lowest point in football, but then despair turned to delirium as he and Wales flourished at the Euros.
READ MORE
The exact state of play with Wales' Euro 2016 aces: Ramsey injured, Allen not picked and Hal STILL doesn't have a club
"For me, last year was difficult. Mentally I was in a place that I had never been before," admitted Chester.
“I was doubting every decision I was making. So to show what I was really about on the biggest stage I have played on was good for my confidence.
“It set me up well to come to such a big club as Villa.
“I don’t think anyone imagined it would be that good for Wales. It was a special experience and one that I will look back on in years to come."
Chester believes he just needed a run of games to prove his worth, regain his confidence and clinch a move to another club.
When the Euros ended, the calls came thick and fast and he is relishing playing for a club of Villa's stature.
“I’m a very proud person. At West Brom it didn’t go the way I imagined," he told the Birmingham Mail.
“I’m not sure how fair a chance I was given but sometimes these things happen in football.
“I knew last season before the Euros that I would probably have to move on if I wanted to play football regularly.
"And the reason I came to Villa was to be in contention regularly and be on the pitch more often than not.
“I know this division. I’ve played over 100 games here. And when the manager reassured me that I would be playing centre-back it was music to my ears.
“I knew going to West Brom, I would be used at full-back at times and I was more than happy to do that job, but I expected to be given more of a chance at centre-half than I did.
“That’s where I bring most to the team. I showed it at Hull and I showed it at the Euros."
Wednesday 17th August 2016
BY PAUL ABBANDONATO
'Mentally I was in a place that I had never been before' admits Chester - then came Wales' magical Euro journey and a complete turnaround in mindset
Wales Euro 2016 ace James Chester has revealed how playing next to Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey out in France lifted him from the football doldrums.
Chester, who has joined Aston Villa for £7million, admits he was shot mentally after being made a West Brom outcast under Tony Pulis.
The Welsh Euro star made just nine Premier League starts during a miserable first season at the Hawthorns, interest from elsewhere was low and some even labelled him an £8m flop.
Chester hit his lowest point in football, but then despair turned to delirium as he and Wales flourished at the Euros.
READ MORE
The exact state of play with Wales' Euro 2016 aces: Ramsey injured, Allen not picked and Hal STILL doesn't have a club
"For me, last year was difficult. Mentally I was in a place that I had never been before," admitted Chester.
“I was doubting every decision I was making. So to show what I was really about on the biggest stage I have played on was good for my confidence.
“It set me up well to come to such a big club as Villa.
“I don’t think anyone imagined it would be that good for Wales. It was a special experience and one that I will look back on in years to come."
Chester believes he just needed a run of games to prove his worth, regain his confidence and clinch a move to another club.
When the Euros ended, the calls came thick and fast and he is relishing playing for a club of Villa's stature.
“I’m a very proud person. At West Brom it didn’t go the way I imagined," he told the Birmingham Mail.
“I’m not sure how fair a chance I was given but sometimes these things happen in football.
“I knew last season before the Euros that I would probably have to move on if I wanted to play football regularly.
"And the reason I came to Villa was to be in contention regularly and be on the pitch more often than not.
“I know this division. I’ve played over 100 games here. And when the manager reassured me that I would be playing centre-back it was music to my ears.
“I knew going to West Brom, I would be used at full-back at times and I was more than happy to do that job, but I expected to be given more of a chance at centre-half than I did.
“That’s where I bring most to the team. I showed it at Hull and I showed it at the Euros."
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Re: ' Wales and star James Chester reveals mental torment '
Wed Aug 17, 2016 11:29 am
Try watching Cardiff city for 42 years like I have. Now that is mental torment
Re: ' Wales and star James Chester reveals mental torment '
Wed Aug 17, 2016 12:07 pm
Felt sorry for him at West Brom and a few other defenders there actually, kept being played out of position.
Re: ' Wales and star James Chester reveals mental torment '
Wed Aug 17, 2016 12:14 pm
They really have got it tough these footballers. And to think some people get up at 5am to stack shelves for minimum wage.
Re: ' Wales and star James Chester reveals mental torment '
Wed Aug 17, 2016 12:15 pm
nubbsy wrote:They really have got it tough these footballers. And to think some people get up at 5am to stack shelves for minimum wage.
Just because footballers get ridiculous amount of money doesn't mean they can't have a tough time.
Re: ' Wales and star James Chester reveals mental torment '
Wed Aug 17, 2016 12:49 pm
DandoCCFC wrote:nubbsy wrote:They really have got it tough these footballers. And to think some people get up at 5am to stack shelves for minimum wage.
Just because footballers get ridiculous amount of money doesn't mean they can't have a tough time.
My heart sobs