--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a common mistake people make…" description: "\"There is a common mistake people make. They say, 'We need to play the young English boys.' Of course, but only if they are good. How can you measure th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/gianfranco-zola-4757_failure_there-is-a-common-mistake-people-make-th_508446.png" --- # There is a common mistake people make. They say, 'We need… ![“There is a common mistake people make. They say, 'We need to play the young English boys.' Of course, but only if they are good. How can you measure that? If they are playing with good players and if they can fit into the level of the good players. That's why, because of the level of the Premier…” quote by Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/gianfranco-zola-4757_failure_there-is-a-common-mistake-people-make-th_508446.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/gianfranco-zola-4757_failure_there-is-a-common-mistake-people-make-th_508446.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a1d/gianfranco-zola-4757_failure_there-is-a-common-mistake-people-make-th_508446.png) > “There is a common mistake people make. They say, 'We need to play the young English boys.' Of course, but only if they are good. How can you measure that? If they are playing with good players and if they can fit into the level of the good players. That's why, because of the level of the Premier League, England has so many talented players.” [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Talent must be judged by performance against strong competition, not just age. **In simple terms:** Judge skill by who they beat. Key Takeaway Play with better players to improve. Themes talent competition development Mood analytical critical Type advisory motivational When to use this quote - youth academy scouting - team selection - coach evaluation Key Concepts performance metrics player assessment Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure fair evaluation across ages? - What metrics best reveal true ability? A Different Perspective Skill gaps may be hidden by team tactics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Premier league](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/premier-league/) ## Related quotes > [As a young boy, all we used to watch was the Premier League at that time. I know the FA cup is quite important.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-essien/as-a-young-boy-all-we-used-to-watch-was-the-premier-league-at-that/) [Michael Essien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-essien/) > [I got a lot of games under my belt in the lower leagues, and I don't feel the Premier League or England is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-pickford/i-got-a-lot-of-games-under-my-belt-in-the-lower-leagues-and-i-don-t/) [Jordan Pickford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-pickford/) > [It's my dream to play in a big league, and England would be the perfect choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georginio-wijnaldum/it-s-my-dream-to-play-in-a-big-league-and-england-would-be-the/) [Georginio Wijnaldum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georginio-wijnaldum/) > [England is the biggest league in the world. Of course, you have Barcelona and Real Madrid but, as a league, England is in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-babel/england-is-the-biggest-league-in-the-world-of-course-you-have/) [Ryan Babel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-babel/) > [I have won Serie B, Serie C, Serie D like the Championship, League One, and League Two here in England.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurizio-sarri/i-have-won-serie-b-serie-c-serie-d-like-the-championship-league-one/) [Maurizio Sarri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurizio-sarri/) > [You can see it with Dele Alli, he's come from League One and he's already in the England squad. You see it with Vardy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michail-antonio/you-can-see-it-with-dele-alli-he-s-come-from-league-one-and-he-s/) [Michail Antonio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michail-antonio/) > [I think every manager is the same. Three days before the Premier League starts, every manager is selfish that way. They want the players…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-wilshere/i-think-every-manager-is-the-same-three-days-before-the-premier/) [Jack Wilshere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-wilshere/) > [The greatest players fit with the team. They play within the team's style, rather than asking the team to change its style.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ewing/the-greatest-players-fit-with-the-team-they-play-within-the-team-s/) [Patrick Ewing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ewing/) > [I always play players who are fit - even if it means playing out of position.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zico/i-always-play-players-who-are-fit-even-if-it-means-playing-out-of/) [Zico](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zico/) > [Unless you're at a club long enough that can develop a philosophy of playing and recruiting players that fit that way of playing, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-southgate/unless-you-re-at-a-club-long-enough-that-can-develop-a-philosophy-of/) [Gareth Southgate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-southgate/) > [We've got one of the best medical teams in the country and we trust in what they do is in the best interest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-page/we-ve-got-one-of-the-best-medical-teams-in-the-country-and-we-trust/) [Rob Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-page/) > [There are 50 people fitter than me between the top 70 to 150 in the world. There are some players not as fit as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-tomic/there-are-50-people-fitter-than-me-between-the-top-70-to-150-in-the/) [Bernard Tomic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-tomic/) > [I've been a club manager myself and know the demands and, from a selfish point of view, you want your players to be fit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-page/i-ve-been-a-club-manager-myself-and-know-the-demands-and-from-a/) [Rob Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-page/) > [I always think that the best players can fit in any team, no matter the style of the team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-pique/i-always-think-that-the-best-players-can-fit-in-any-team-no-matter/) [Gerard Pique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-pique/) > [I can't say if I've got the skills to play for Bayern, they have to decide that. They buy players who fit their requirements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-gnabry/i-can-t-say-if-i-ve-got-the-skills-to-play-for-bayern-they-have-to/) [Serge Gnabry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-gnabry/) ## More by Gianfranco Zola > [Chelsea is in my heart and I was so proud to achieve so much for the club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/chelsea-is-in-my-heart-and-i-was-so-proud-to-achieve-so-much-for-the/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [He was so influential on every aspect of my game. I promise you - I would have been another Gianfranco Zola if I hadn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/he-was-so-influential-on-every-aspect-of-my-game-i-promise-you-i/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [Sometimes you need to get bored but when you get bored you persist in what you're doing and you get better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/sometimes-you-need-to-get-bored-but-when-you-get-bored-you-persist-in/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [Sometimes good work is done with passion, enthusiasm - presence can be as valuable as many millions of pounds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/sometimes-good-work-is-done-with-passion-enthusiasm-presence-can-be/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [Eden is the type of player who can make a big difference when he comes on, even for 20 minutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/eden-is-the-type-of-player-who-can-make-a-big-difference-when-he/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [Jorginho is not a player that has a lot of physicality and mobility but he is very intelligent and is always in the right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/jorginho-is-not-a-player-that-has-a-lot-of-physicality-and-mobility/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [A winning team must have quality, but it means nothing if the players are not connected to each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/a-winning-team-must-have-quality-but-it-means-nothing-if-the-players/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [Being a good player doesn't necessarily make a good manager, that's for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/being-a-good-player-doesn-t-necessarily-make-a-good-manager-that-s/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [They are both fantastic players. But I like Messi. Ronaldo is a fantastic goalscorer but I don't think he is as good as Messi…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/they-are-both-fantastic-players-but-i-like-messi-ronaldo-is-a/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [It is a pleasure for whoever loves football to enjoy watching Hazard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/it-is-a-pleasure-for-whoever-loves-football-to-enjoy-watching-hazard/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [Working for a top club with a top coach has been good for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/working-for-a-top-club-with-a-top-coach-has-been-good-for-me/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [Ninety-five per cent of my language problems are the fault of that stupid little midget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/ninety-five-per-cent-of-my-language-problems-are-the-fault-of-that/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [I'm a proud man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/i-m-a-proud-man/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [It's best that I hide my real personality. I cannot tell you what it is because I don't want to go to prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/it-s-best-that-i-hide-my-real-personality-i-cannot-tell-you-what-it/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) > [It's normal that you have good moments and bad moments - it is how you deal with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gianfranco-zola/it-s-normal-that-you-have-good-moments-and-bad-moments-it-is-how-you/) [Gianfranco Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) [Explore all 106 Gianfranco Zola quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gianfranco-zola/) ## More Failure quotes > [When you do things they're absolutely right at that time for you and it can always teach you something about yourself. You can take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kym-marsh/when-you-do-things-they-re-absolutely-right-at-that-time-for-you-and/) [Kym Marsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kym-marsh/) > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [No one is completely unhappy at the failure of his best friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/groucho-marx/no-one-is-completely-unhappy-at-the-failure-of-his-best-friend/) [Groucho Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/groucho-marx/) > [“Rhiannon's Law #28: If you're going to fuck up, be sure to fuck up good and proper. Nothing makes failure acceptable, so you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/rhiannon-s-law-28-if-you-re-going-to-fuck-up-be-sure-to-fuck-up-good/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Failure is a part of life and you have to learn to deal with it. Failure is something that is part of life's cycle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/failure-is-a-part-of-life-and-you-have-to-learn-to-deal-with-it/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [First action was a mistake. What about the second? third? fourth and fifth?...Mehn you are bad...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/first-action-was-a-mistake-what-about-the-second-third-fourth-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God's love never fail :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-s-love-never-fail/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don’t you just hate nights like that, when you think over every mistake you’ve made, every hurt you’ve received, every bit of meanness you’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlaine-harris/don-t-you-just-hate-nights-like-that-when-you-think-over-every/) [Charlaine Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlaine-harris/) > [“Our failure to understand another being's inner reality doesn't make that reality any less real, or any less valuable to that being. (p.255)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-schulz/our-failure-to-understand-another-being-s-inner-reality-doesn-t-make/) [Kathryn Schulz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-schulz/) > [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/) [Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/) > [Don't take too much comfort in the fact that you're successful today because tomorrow could bring failure. There's no surety in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-savage/don-t-take-too-much-comfort-in-the-fact-that-you-re-successful-today/) [Michael Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-savage/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [failure in the theater is more public, more brilliant, more unreal than in any other field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-hellman/failure-in-the-theater-is-more-public-more-brilliant-more-unreal-than/) [Lillian Hellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-hellman/) > [As we are coming to the end of the year, I want you to forget about the past, the failure, the negative thoughts or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-we-are-coming-to-the-end-of-the-year-i-want-you-to-forget-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 27,498 Failure quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is a common mistake people make. 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