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REDNATION SPEAKS WITH CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL JACOB LENSKY OF FC UTRECHT Interview - Feature| Posted on Nov 4/09 by Steven Bottjer
Rednation Online recently had the opportunity to speak with Jacob Lensky, a young Canadian midfielder/fullback who plays with FC Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie. Lensky has represented Canada at the U-20 and U-23 levels and has been selected to play with the Senior Men's Canadian National Team at their upcoming friendlies against Macedonia and Poland.
Lensky was born in Vancouver, British Columbia but played most of his youth career in Europe with some of the bigger names in world football - in Belgium (with Anderlecht), in the Czech Republic (with both Sparta Prague and Slavia Prague), and in the United Kingdom (with both English side Blackburn Rovers and Scottish side Celtic). At only 17 years of age, Lensky signed an agreement with Dutch side Feyenoord that would go into effect on January 1st, 2007. He made his Eredivisie debut for Feyenoord on February 11th, 2007 against FC Twente and very much looked to be a player on the rise. In a shocking decision, Lensky announced his retirement from professional soccer in August 2008, citing personal reasons. His story was a reminder of how difficult, stressful and isolating life can be as young person pursuing a football career abroad in Europe. After taking some time off, Lensky returned to professional football, first training with his hometown Vancouver Whitecaps and ultimately signing with FC Utrecht of the Eredivisie, where he currently plays his club football. Having proven himself to those that doubted he could return to the heights of top level European football and once again enjoying the game, Lensky again finds himself as young star on the rise and a possible important component of future incarnations of the Canadian Men's National Team.
Rednation Online and Jacob discuss his experiences playing in Europe, his decision to retire from professional football, his comeback with FC Utrecht and his thoughts on International football duty.
Rednation Online: The clubs that you spent your youth career with reads like a Who's Who of some of the biggest clubs in Europe - Anderlecht, Sparta Prague, Slavia Prague, Blackburn Rovers and Celtic. How did the youth setups for these clubs differ and did you learn different things with each organization?
Jacob Lensky: Going to those all those different clubs was mainly a measuring stick against my ability since I was training very often and playing at a European level, which, by the way, is walking a fine line on seeming obsessive or losing any interest in soccer completely and burning out. Blackburn was a taste of full time soccer and dealing with many “challenging individuals” in soccer on a regular basis. So naturally it was a learning curve but it was a necessary one.
Rednation Online: Who was your biggest influence as a young player?
Jacob Lensky: In Canada it was my father and my brother. (People enjoy talking about me, my brother and father like it's some pity story, but people don't know what they're talking about so those keyhole theories just need to stop). But as I moved to England/Scotland I wouldn't say I had a single person that influenced me. I'd have to say it was more kind of getting thrown in the deep end considering that I'm generally a sensitive, shy kid.
Rednation Online: You spent several years in the Celtic youth system. What made you make the decision to move to Feyenoord?
Jacob Lensky: Celtic to Feyenoord was a choice I made simply because I felt that they didn't give me the chance that I deserved at Celtic. Plus, maybe it was due to my age at the time, but I felt like most of the guys were not easy to get along with and I didn't feel it was necessary to be around them. I wasn’t going to change and they were not going to change. Erwin Koeman was at Feyenoord and he said he wanted me for the first team. At 17 it was a big step going into that team, so for me it was a no brainer. Do you wanna shine shoes at Celtic - what kind of old school crap is that? - or move to a first team squad?
Rednation Online: You announced your retirement from professional football in August 2008. What precipitated this decision?
Jacob Lensky: The reasons I retired - depression, fatigue, pressure, again not being able to stand most of the players, many of whom were constantly abusing any nice, naive part of me – whether it was my fault or their fault, it is in the past. In the bigger picture, I'll choose to be positive and happy in my own way.
Rednation Online: During the time in which you were not playing football, what were you doing and what made you decide to return to the professional game?
Jacob Lensky: Partied with some friends. Saw the Stone Temple Pilots and Motley Crue live at GM Place with a friend of mine. Awesome time. Don't regret it a bit.
Rednation Online: In January 2009 you spent some time training with the Vancouver Whitecaps, but did not sign a contract with the club. How strongly did you consider the option to play football in your hometown of Vancouver?
Jacob Lensky: I only asked for time to train. It was everyone else that of course speculated on all of it. I played one game there and I played so bad that I felt I had lost anything I once had. So what? I worked out a lot and decided it would be more fun to come back and make an impression in the Dutch league.
Rednation Online: Is it just a coincidence that upon your comeback you have ended up playing in the Eredivisie again? What made you return to Holland?
Jacob Lensky: I knew Holland and Holland knew me (ha ha, for better or worse).
Rednation Online: Now that you are back playing again, how are you enjoying your football?
Jacob Lensky: Yeah, I’m comfortable with the guys here. Maybe just cause I'm doing well, but whatever. I’m looking at it differently this time. Some nice guys here though for sure.
Rednation Online: FC Utrecht currently site in 5th place and have enjoyed a very good start to the current campaign. What are your thoughts on how the team has been playing through the first 12 matches?
Jacob Lensky: The team is good! For what I know about soccer anyways. Young guys, good managers and a good president. Plus, they gave me my chance. That said, I still played for my chance and earned it back against what everyone thought, especially here at this club.
Rednation Online: You have played as both a midfielder and a defender in the past. Which position are you playing with FC Utrecht?
Jacob Lensky: I like playing as a defender when I get the ball and I can move forward with it. Defending is ok when I can body check someone but otherwise it's mentally draining. I like midfield more I guess.
Rednation Online: You have been called up to participate in International friendlies with the Canadian Men's National Team against Poland and Macedonia? What was your reaction upon receiving the call?
Jacob Lensky: It was nice. Stephen Hart said he was happy to see me back playing and he was asking the same questions that everyone does regarding if I am enjoying it and stuff – ha ha. I’m looking forward to it.
Rednation Online: Has anyone from the Canadian Men’s National Team given any indication as to their plans for you in these two matches?
Jacob Lensky: Don't know. Don't care. I do my thing and if it's good enough, then play me. If it's not, then let me be.
Rednation Online: Like many Canadians you are eligible to play with more than one National Team and choosing a country to play for can be a very personal decision. There have been rumours - some that have been relayed to Canadian football fans via translations on discussion forums - that you were interested in playing your international football with the Czech Republic and that you did not enjoy your previous experiences with the Canadian Soccer Association. Can you comment on these rumours?
Jacob Lensky: Yeah, I love Canada, but in truth soccer is soccer to me. It's all pretty much the same, so if the Czech team came and asked me - maybe, sure. But they didn't, so I'm going to the call up just focussing on it and playing my game. Some people don't like it and that's ok.
Rednation Online: You are only 20 years old and have already experienced a lot with respect to your career. What are your main aspirations for the next several years of your football career?
Jacob Lensky: I can only speak for myself, but planning things has never worked out. I play and once I'm off the field I find it hard to care anymore. And, sure, I like success.
Lensky was born in Vancouver, British Columbia but played most of his youth career in Europe with some of the bigger names in world football - in Belgium (with Anderlecht), in the Czech Republic (with both Sparta Prague and Slavia Prague), and in the United Kingdom (with both English side Blackburn Rovers and Scottish side Celtic). At only 17 years of age, Lensky signed an agreement with Dutch side Feyenoord that would go into effect on January 1st, 2007. He made his Eredivisie debut for Feyenoord on February 11th, 2007 against FC Twente and very much looked to be a player on the rise. In a shocking decision, Lensky announced his retirement from professional soccer in August 2008, citing personal reasons. His story was a reminder of how difficult, stressful and isolating life can be as young person pursuing a football career abroad in Europe. After taking some time off, Lensky returned to professional football, first training with his hometown Vancouver Whitecaps and ultimately signing with FC Utrecht of the Eredivisie, where he currently plays his club football. Having proven himself to those that doubted he could return to the heights of top level European football and once again enjoying the game, Lensky again finds himself as young star on the rise and a possible important component of future incarnations of the Canadian Men's National Team.
Rednation Online: FC Utrecht currently site in 5th place and have enjoyed a very good start to the current campaign. What are your thoughts on how the team has been playing through the first 12 matches?
