Ex-Ghana boss Arday wants fans to measure expectations on Atsu

By Patrick Akoto

Ex-Ghana coach Sam Arday wants fans to measure their expectations on whiz kid  Christian Atsu.

The exciting 19-year-old has become the fans favourite after impressing in Black Stars colours since his breakthrough against Lesotho in a 2014 World Cup qualifier.

The Porto winger completely won the fans over with his sublime dribbling skills and exceptional ball control during the first leg of the 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi in Accra.

But the former Black Stars coach believes over blowing the ability of the player could put unnecessary pressure on him and probably hurt his potential.

"At this stage of his career,  he (Atsu) needs encouragement and his teething mistakes have to be pointed out to him to make him a better player. It will be a huge mistake to sing praises and blow it out of proportion.” Arday told the GFA’s official newspaper

“If such praises get into the head of such a promising youngster, it can affect them and stall their development.

“Atsu shouldn’t lose focus, thinking he has arrived. He should never be swollen headed by what he hears and reads. If he does that, it won’t augur well for him.

He added: “I’m not saying he shouldn't be praised but such praises should not be blown out of proportion. The praises shouldn’t sound like he is our new messiah: he is not yet a messiah.”

The World Under-17 winning coach trained the youngster during his formative years at Feyenord but left the place under controversial circumstances.