Professional Chopra’s a fan of winning

Nov 9 2007 by Paul Gilder, The Journal

MICHAEL Chopra will lead the Sunderland attack against Newcastle this weekend, but in an ideal world, I’m sure he would prefer to be wearing a black-and-white shirt.

The home supporters might not thank me for saying that, but I have no doubts that is the case. Everyone knows about Michael’s past at St James’s Park and I don’t doubt for a second that, given the choice, he would rather be a United player.

I spoke to Michael not long after he had decided to leave the club and he told me he thought his transfer to Cardiff could help him in his quest to become a first-team star at Newcastle. It didn’t quite work out like that. Michael’s exploits at Ninian Park did enable him to return to the North-East this summer – albeit to Sunderland. It was a brave decision. But it was also the right decision.

He just wanted to be a Premier League footballer and although he would have loved to have come back to Newcastle, it wasn’t to be. It might still happen in the future, who knows? But these days, Michael is a committed Sunderland player.

I don’t think it will be an issue for him this weekend. Strange things happen in derbies and it would be typical were he to score against the club he has supported all his life. For the first time ever, I hope he draws a blank.

Once the match starts, Michael’s background is irrelevant and he’ll be desperate to score. That’s the person he is – a professional, a goalscorer. It might be a talking point before the game, but it won’t alter his ambition during it. Michael will want to win. Full stop.

I’ve coached lots of kids, but Michael Chopra is the best young player I’ve ever worked with. Right from the start, he just stood out. Everything about him was different class: his attitude, his abilities, his courage – he had the lot. He just loved scoring goals and he always wanted the ball. I always appreciated that about him.

I’m not trying to take credit for the things that he has done, but I do feel a little bit responsible having coached him. I felt proud as punch when he scored on his Sunderland debut against Tottenham. I stayed in a hotel the night before the season started and I told people that Michael Chopra would score the Premier League’s first goal. He proved me right.

Michael hasn’t scored for a while and it wouldn’t surprise me were his drought to end this weekend. I – like all Newcastle supporters – hope it’s not the case. But the scene is set for him.

Strange things happen in derbies and it would be typical were Michael Chopra to score