Kelvin Yeboah: The Ghana-born Italy Under-21 ace hoping to follow in uncle Tony's footsteps & More News Here

It stays one of the iconic targets in Premier League historical past.

A hopeful punt ahead by Leeds left-back Tony Dorigo, a cushioned header again from Rod Wallace and essentially the most thunderous volley possible from Tony Teboah, with ball flying previous Liverpool goalkeeper David James and cannoning off the crossbar into the bottom after which again up into the roof of the online.

Trevor Francis was on co-commentary responsibility for Sky Sports that night time and he instantly declared the purpose of the season competitors over.

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It was August 21, 1995. The new season was solely three days previous. 

Incredibly, Yeboah’s purpose was bettered – much more unbelievably by the identical man, with the striker scoring one other stunner in opposition to Wimbledon simply over a month later.

Again the ball was hammered house by way of the underside of the crossbar.

Both targets are burned in the brains of Premier League followers of a sure classic. Hell, most of us can nonetheless hear the sound of the ball smacking off the bar.

Kelvin Yeboah remembers these two targets vividly too, though he wasn’t even born when his uncle Tony was taking English soccer by storm.

“Growing up, I remember my Dad putting on videos of my uncle playing football, and singing songs about him!” the 22-year-old tells GOAL, laughing.

“Me and my brothers would watch these targets on a regular basis. I particularly bear in mind seeing the purpose in opposition to Liverpool.

“It was a stupendous picture to have in the again of your thoughts on a regular basis, of my uncle scoring targets in the Premier League. 

“It was a great source of inspiration. To have someone close to you that’s already done it, it just makes you believe that maybe you can make it as a professional too.”

And that is precisely what Kelvin is doing: carving out a profession for himself in the paid ranks. 

Indeed, he is presently coaching with Italy’s Under-21s forward of their decisive batch of Euro 2023 qualifiers in opposition to Luxembourg (June 6), Sweden (June 9) and Republic of Ireland (June 14).

Of arguably even higher significance, although, is the truth that Yeboah was additionally part of a particular coaching camp organised by Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini.

As so painfully underlined by their failure to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup, Italian soccer is in dire want of rejuvenation, notably in assault.

“This match is the end of a cycle,” Mancini mentioned earlier than Wednesday night time’s loss to Argentina. “From here on, we will include youngsters and start thinking about the future.”

Yeboah could possibly be a kind of kids.

Although born in Accra, the capital of Ghana, Yeboah’s household moved to Piemonte when he was nonetheless solely a toddler.

It was in Italy, then, that he took his first steps in direction of turning into knowledgeable footballer.

And it is fascinating that whereas his uncle Tony was a supply of inspiration, his childhood idols had been Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Robinho, Alexandre Pato…

Fair to say, then, that he had a passion for Brazilian attackers?

“Oh, definitely, come on, man, how could you not?” he exclaims. “They’re one of the best football nations on earth.”

So, how did a child who spent his days attempting to imitate gamers famend for aptitude and flamboyance fare in a rustic famend for defending and darkish arts?

“It was definitely a good challenge,” he admits. “Italy is a rustic of quite a lot of nice defenders, quite a lot of nice tactical coaches, so I feel it forces you to be extra artistic to strive to trick opponents and make area for your self.

“In that way, it was actually a great place for an attacker, because you had to work so hard to score goals.”

His strategy shortly paid off at under-age stage, with Yeboah shortly making a reputation for himself at under-age stage at Novara thanks to his mixture of trade and innovation.

However, when alternative knocked, his household, together with uncle Tony, felt he could be finest served by a transfer away from Italy.

“My brother moved to London to study and I had another uncle there,” he explains, “and my dad mentioned, ‘I feel England will go well with you extra, so possibly we must always strive to discover you a membership there.’

“So, I moved there at like 15 or 16, and I attended a few trials. Then, I joined West Ham, however not for lengthy.

“It was solely two or three months as a result of I had an agent there and he mentioned, ‘I feel you are prepared to play in a extra senior league.’ And it is true that I used to be getting bodily stronger. 

“So, from there, I went on trials, back and forth, here and there, and then I ended up in Austria.”

Joining WSG Tirol in 2018 proved an impressed alternative for a child determined for a style of first-team soccer.

“Austria was a very positive experience for me at such a young age,” he says. “I realized quite a bit, and never simply in phrases of soccer. It taught me quite a bit about residing on my own and simply being alone. 

“You be taught quite a bit about your self that means, so it was a unbelievable journey in that sense. I actually grew up. 

“On the pitch, it helped me as I got so many minutes, as that really builds your confidence as a young player.”

Indeed, proper from the beginning, Yeboah featured usually for Tirol in Austria’s second tier earlier than then impressing in his debut season in the Bundesliga, netting 4 targets in a shocking cup win over Austria Wien in September 2019.

Yeboah’s potential was apparent and he was snapped up by Sturm Graz in February of final yr.

Twenty targets later and he was on the transfer once more, solely this time again to Italy, to signal for Genoa through the January switch window.

It’s truthful to say that Yeboah’s half-season in Serie A did not go in accordance to plan. He featured typically however in a struggling facet that ended up being relegated. 

“It was a hard season, very intense, on and off the pitch,” he concedes. “We did not obtain what we needed as a crew however I all the time strive to look on the intense facet, and deal with what I’ve taken from every expertise.

“Despite being right here for simply 4 or 5 months, I realized quite a bit, since you be taught a lot about how to get across the defence in Italy.

“I feel as a younger participant you need to play as many leagues as attainable, as a result of it provides you the expertise you want to grow to be a prime participant if you’re older.

“So, tactically and mentally, I think this tough half-season at Genoa has given me a lot of strength for the next challenges.”

And who is aware of the place they lie? He brazenly admits he is a fan of English soccer.

“I think the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world, if not the best,” he says. “The speed is incredible. In terms of physicality and intensity, I think it’s my kind of football.”

However, there has additionally been curiosity in his providers amongst Bundesliga golf equipment.

It is sensible, in fact: he already speaks German and his uncle Tony loved spells at Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburg both facet of attaining cult hero standing at Leeds.

“For sure, because of my uncle, and having played in Austria, it could be nice, as it’s a similar type of football, and I don’t think I would have too much trouble adapting,” he admits. 

“But, for now, I’m simply specializing in the Under-21s. I simply need to give my finest, after which we’ll see. 

“I haven’t really given that much thought to my next move. So, after playing these games with the national team, me and the club will talk and see what the best option is for everyone.”

Staying in Italy can also be a lovely possibility, too, in fact, along with his quick spell in Serie A having already caught Mancini’s eye.

However, it is also price remembering that he is nonetheless eligible to symbolize Ghana at senior stage. 

And whereas Italy failed to qualify for this yr’s World Cup, the Black Stars booked their place in Qatar by upsetting Nigeria in the play-offs.

He may quickly have a troublesome alternative to make.

Unsurprisingly for such a well-travelled younger man, Yeboah is reluctant to be drawn on the place his long-term future lies, however he’ll admit that he’ll be supporting Ghana on the World Cup it doesn’t matter what occurs.

“I grew up in Italy, so it’s part of me,” he says. “however so is Ghana.

“Italy and Ghana are both my country, I suppose, and nobody knows what will happen in the future.”

For now, the boy who used to watch his uncle Tony’s targets on TV simply desires to think about magical reminiscences of his personal.

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