In a new a new feature, safc.com talk to Sunderland players past and present about their journey to professional football.
When a football is first placed at a youngster’s feet it can go one of two ways. Most learn to love the sport and cherish the memories it creates be it through playing or watching from the stands.
But a select few take a different route and strive to become one of the heroes whose names are forever etched in the history books.
Many try and many fail, but for Patrick van Aanholt there was never any doubt.
“I always had a ball at my feet,” said the Dutchman. “I was obsessed with football even from a young age; my dad would buy me all kinds of toys but I swear I didn’t want to play with any of them, I just wanted to kick the ball.
“When I was three he put me into a team for little kids. My dad couldn’t wait any longer despite my age and said if you love it just go and play.”
And go and play he did. Moves to various clubs preceded a move to PSV Eindhoven’s esteemed academy with plenty of risk and sacrifice along the way, as well as a touch of fate which van Aanholt could feel within his bones.
“I always wanted to be a footballer and when I was scouted for the first division in Holland I started to realise that it could be my future.
“I started focussing on my dream working every day and I even left my school at 15 which was around the time I ended up moving to Chelsea.”
He continued: “I was at PSV for two years and I had a strange feeling something was on the horizon.
“I asked to my mum what would happen and what would I do if a club in England wanted me to play for them, and I remember she just started crying.
“I went to bed and the next day my agent called me saying Chelsea want you – I was blown away because I had a feeling something was going to happen as I knew people had watched me, but this was Chelsea.”
van Aanholt settled instantly into his new surroundings in South London, with a former Arsenal and Chelsea great going above and beyond to ensure the Dutchman felt right at home.
“I had one mentor and that was Ashley Cole.
“It was so strange because I went from Holland to having dinner at the training ground in Cobham with the players I’d been watching on the TV like Ashley and John Terry. It was a dream come true.
“I looked up to those players and I went from that to training with them and spending time with them every day.
“He took me under his wing and he took me everywhere – concerts, out for dinner and that kind of thing – but he also taught me how to play the game and how to defend.
“He always gave me great advice about how to progress so I’m very grateful for that and because of him I’ve learnt a lot.”
From student to mentor, van Aanholt is now practising the lessons he’s learnt throughout his career to provide support for his younger team-mates and his little brother, who is aiming to become the third professional footballer in the family.
“My cousin – Leroy Fer – is also a professional footballer playing for Swansea City. We played with each other in the Dutch squads from under-15 to the first team and it helps to have that with you because family is family.
“When we were young, if he made it everyone would be happy and if I made it everyone would be happy, so thankfully we both made it and my little brother is also doing very well so hopefully one day he can make it too.”
He added: “If you want something, and I mean really want it, nothing can stop you.
“That is what I would tell anyone who has a dream.”
