Old pro Bolo Zenden's not retiring type

Nov 27 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

His birth certificate might say otherwise, but Boudewijn Zenden has been showing the energy of a youngster recently. The Dutchman explains why to Stuart Rayner.

BOUDEWIJN Zenden is the old man of a young squad, four years senior to his most experienced Sunderland team-mates.

When he celebrated an Asamoah Gyan goal recently, his colleagues gleefully told the world he dances like “a dad”. While his age might be a good stick with which to beat the 34-year-old, it has not hindered his performances.

Since returning to the side at Tottenham Hotspur, Zenden has brought a calm assurance to Sunderland’s play without any loss of energy.

If people want to quote numbers, he has one of his own. The Black Cats’ best player at White Hart Lane ran 11.8km – further than anyone bar 20-year-old Jordan Henderson.

Many footballers have a “road to Damascus” moment when, the big three-o looming, they revamp their lifestyle to eke out every last drop.

Zenden has never had any need to change – he always been a non-drinker, a non-smoker. A professional. Little wonder, then he feels as good as ever.

Zenden, out of contract this summer (most 30-somethings work year-to-year) but on this form certain to get another said: “I don’t see retirement being anywhere near.

“I am fit and I am feeling fit. I believe I have always lived as a pro. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke. I have always taken care of myself.

“You have to be lucky with injuries but, as I have always lived as a professional, I can take positives from that towards the end of my career and extend it.

“If you look at the Tottenham stats, I was up there with Jordan. Of the two teams, we were the players who covered the most ground.