Generally speaking, the difference between a world class footballer and your average professional is ball control. From creating an extra yard of space to effortlessly stroking the ball beyond the outstretched foot of a defender, it is ball control that differentiates the class of your Andrea Pirlo's from your Tom Cleverley's; is why a Lionel Messi terrifies defenders compared to an Ade Akinbiyi and what inspires confidence from a Manuel Neuer rather than a Massimo Taibi. Why then, does every player on FIFA seem to have lead feet? It seems that finite control, according to EA, means doing the Cha Cha Slide in the centre circle while you try to get control of your player. That the only way to beat your opposite number is to punt the ball past him and sprint as fast as you can or perform a fancy trick that rarely takes place in real football. If there is one thing that has been over-sold by EA, it is their 'first touch' features.
I have been described as a sportsman with the brain of an athlete and the body of a scientist. Since it was established that playing wouldn't work out for me I have taken to writing.
