--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That is probably the biggest issue about…" description: "\"That is probably the biggest issue about the English game. You need to be a great player and great at striking the ball, of course, but it's also about..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/xabi-alonso-4677_football_that-is-probably-the-biggest-issue-about_354236.png" --- # That is probably the biggest issue about the English game… ![“That is probably the biggest issue about the English game. You need to be a great player and great at striking the ball, of course, but it's also about your head and being able to understand the game, especially for a midfielder.” quote by Xabi Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/xabi-alonso-4677_football_that-is-probably-the-biggest-issue-about_354236.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/xabi-alonso-4677_football_that-is-probably-the-biggest-issue-about_354236.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/744/xabi-alonso-4677_football_that-is-probably-the-biggest-issue-about_354236.png) > “That is probably the biggest issue about the English game. You need to be a great player and great at striking the ball, of course, but it's also about your head and being able to understand the game, especially for a midfielder.” [Xabi Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xabi-alonso/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success in football requires technical skill, physical ability, and tactical intelligence, especially for midfielders who must read the game. **In simple terms:** Great players need skill, fitness, and game understanding. Key Takeaway Develop both body and mind. Themes football midfield tactics Mood focused analytical Type motivational educational When to use this quote - coaching sessions - player development - match analysis Key Concepts spatial awareness decision making team dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can midfielders improve their tactical awareness? - What drills enhance game intelligence? A Different Perspective Physical talent alone cannot guarantee success without mental acuity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) ## Related quotes > [There are so many other examples in the Premier League of players who are the best in their country and make a move because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/there-are-so-many-other-examples-in-the-premier-league-of-players-who/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [That's always been my dream to be a great player and be a great coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/that-s-always-been-my-dream-to-be-a-great-player-and-be-a-great-coach/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) > [Joe Mauer's the real deal. He is absolutely wonderful. Not only is he a great player, but he's a great human being. 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Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/) [Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/) > [It's a lot harder to play football when you haven't got the ball.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gray/it-s-a-lot-harder-to-play-football-when-you-haven-t-got-the-ball/) [Andy Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gray/) > [I just enjoy winning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xander-bogaerts/i-just-enjoy-winning/) [Xander Bogaerts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xander-bogaerts/) > [I think you can get, as a player, stuck in the mindset of trying too hard to prove yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trinity-rodman/i-think-you-can-get-as-a-player-stuck-in-the-mindset-of-trying-too/) [Trinity Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trinity-rodman/) > [We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-pausch/we-cannot-change-the-cards-we-are-dealt-just-how-we-play-the-hand/) [Randy Pausch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-pausch/) [Browse all 59,646 Football quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That is probably the biggest issue about the English game. 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