29 March 2005

Ricardo Vaz Tê loving his English adventure

Two years after arriving in England a lot has changed in the life of Ricardo Vaz Tê.

The young forward left Farense at just 16 years of age in search of making it in the big time, as Sam Allardyce took him under his wing at Premiership side Bolton.

In an interview given to Portuguese football site Maisfutebol, Vaz Tê explained how difficult it was at the start.

“I was far from my family and friends and I didn't speak the language. I couldn't even say 'thank you' properly,” he recalls.

“The work was tough and it was always raining,” adds the young Portuguese striker - an unsurprising observation from someone who swapped the Algarve for Lancashire.

“I even thought of giving up sometimes, but then I’d go to bed, and the next day when I woke up I’d say to myself that I couldn’t give in. I didn’t want to go back to Portugal having lost the battle.”

Vaz Tê confesses that he is proud by nature. “I was born a winner and I’ll die a winner. That’s my attitude and I’ll fight to the end, however much it hurts.”

Focus on success in England

Two years on and Ricardo Vaz is now part of the senior squad and thriving on the challenge in England. “Now I’m beginning to carve out my space,” he says. “I love the country, the people like me here, they treat me well and I don’t want to leave.”

Vaz Tê explains that he has been made to work hard to improve his game and his physique.

“In Portugal you only work on technique. You’re taught how to play with the ball at your feet. But I didn’t know how to free myself of my marker, where to find space, and this has now been instilled in me. The club have also prepared a special programme for me to build up my physique. I do gym work twice a week.”

The hard work seems to be paying off, as testified by Vaz Tê’s first senior goal for Bolton recently, giving his side a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Oldham.

Manager Sam Allardyce is convinced he has a gem on his books. “He has a great chance of being a top drawer striker in the Premiership. We have managed to find one at the younger end and want to hold on to him."