Tottenham new-boy Davinson Sanchez fighting to help his new side win the Premier League title… with Franco Baresi’s help
TOTTENHAM new-boy Davinson Sanchez will be fighting hard to help his new side win the Premier League title... with a bit of help from Franco Baresi.
The Colombian star, 21, says he learned a lot from Italian duo Baresi and Paolo Maldini.
But he knows Spurs will need to work hard to finally win their first Premier League crown... starting with him in defence.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Sanchez revealed: "My job title reads defender. You can't mess up your priorities and above all, my job is to keep the ball out of our goal.
"My biggest idol is Franco Baresi, the legendary Italy and Milan defender.
"I am too young to have watched him live but within the game, everyone tells you about that powerful Milan defence.
"I researched YouTube videos and downloaded clips to study.
"Even though it is a different era, there is so much you can still take from a video of Baresi or Paolo Maldini.
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"This was the cream of defending. They not only defended brilliantly, but were so comfortable on the ball. That is not a new phenomenon.
"First you get the defensive part right, then contribute to the philosophy of the team, construct play and recognise the right times to step forward."
Sanchez continued that he is hoping to win the Premier League with Tottenham in his first season in England, despite being nervous on his first day in North London.
He said: "When you come into a new group for a big fee, you want to earn the squad's respect. It's not insecurity but you want them to trust you.
"The first days I felt on edge, because the first time you walk out there you are alone in your thoughts. Now I am really enjoying it.
"This team has been fighting for the Premier League the last couple of years and this year we want to really go for it and win the title. But we must work hard."
Sanchez also revealed the sacrifices his family made back in Colombia for his football career's benefit as a youth star.
He added: "When you are a child, you go to school and all you think about is how many goals you are going to score after class.
"There's an innocence about it. My parents worried, of course. It wasn't desperate money shortage but about making sure I didn't head down the wrong path.
"They worked every waking hour to make sure I could do well. My father worked in an industrial mill to produce sugar and my mother did sales.
"Dad came to make sure I was safe. He'd work early hours until lunchtime and then we'd go.
"His sacrifices were incredible. It's funny in London. If you go to catch the bus, one passes and it's, 'OK, another is coming in two minutes'.
"Where I am from, one passes, and if you miss it, you're stuffed for the day. It was difficult sometimes but it helped my discipline.
"I will never be late for a training session because I know the bus is always leaving. I am proud of the person I am today."
Sanchez also has his own foundation in his home town, saying that he is now in a position where he can make a difference.
He said: "The truth is that many people just do not have the chance to thrive in Caloto. So I wanted to help.
"I can be an example to show kids you can achieve your dreams. It's important to change the mentality of young people. I give them an outdoor outlet.
"We all love PlayStation, but we can't have kids spending all day doing that. Study, get changed, watch a bit of telly and get outside.
"It's not about producing world-class footballers but introducing a way of thinking about life."
Sanchez finished by saying he opted for Tottenham this summer in no small part due to Mauricio Pochettino.
He claimed: "I had a fantastic time at Ajax and we reached the Europa League final.
"This summer, I heard a lot of noise, but Spurs was the only offer on the table. Mauricio Pochettino is a huge influence.
"I saw the chance to grow as a player. He is a truly great coach. To be a great coach is to be a great person.
"He can joke with you but you go out there and you want to fight for him."
