There is a great profile of Tottenham’s David Bentley in today’s Independent. Bentley has been widely criticised for being arrogant, and his ‘I feel like Superman’ statement after the recent North London derby did nothing to take the heat off him. But as Steve Tongue says in the article there are precious few characters left in the Premiership and we need more, not less, David Bentleys.
When I was editor of icons.com, I got to know Bentley very well, as we ran his official website. He was 17 at the time, and I had no doubt at all that he’d become a big-name player, and a controversial one at that. So bursting with confidence and ambition was he that being in his presence could be amusing, exhausting and inspiring all at once.
As his profile has risen, many have interpreted his confidence and ambition as arrogance. Me? I think he’s an absolute superstar and I wish him – though not his team – the very best. I’ve long thought that there’s something peculiarly and brilliantly American about David Bentley. All his ambition, enthusiasm and showing-off would be cheered to the hilt in the States.
Here in envious England, most people are less keen on all that and prefer to boo him than cheer him. I’d be amazed if Bentley loses a moment’s sleep about that. Good luck to him.