Lionel Messi, David Silva, Phillipe Coutinho and Santi Carzorla. That’s quite a list. Although it’s far too early to mention Scott Kashket in the same breath, that’s how high he should be aiming. The sky’s the limit for the boy from Chigwell right now.
Kashket is not your typical Jewish footballer. From the minute I met him in Rome at the European Maccabi Games a couple of years ago, I knew there was some special about him and it’s important he doesn’t rush what is arguably the biggest decision of his career.
He has lots of things going for him, and although he’s not the biggest or strongest, the boy looks a real talent.
The baby-faced assassin is capable of cutting through a defence like a knife through hot butter in the blink of an eyelid. At 17, he must decide whether to stay in England or move abroad, having had a taste of things at Hercules.
I fear that he could slip off the radar if he goes to Israel and he should speak to Wingate & Finchley star Josh Kennet before any such move. Kennet enjoyed a spell at Maccabi Herzliya and it could make or break him.
In England he’d have to tough it out in a more physical and challenging environment, but the main thing is that he’s on the radar and he keeps on turning heads.
So for now, Scott, forget talk of Messi, Silva, Coutinho and Carzorla and just be the best you can.
* It’s been a busy few days for MGBSFL Division Three strugglers Temple Fortune. Mark Leader moved to first division SPEC FC, but midfield dynamo Michael Goldberg lifted the gloom by putting pen to paper, choosing his boyhood heroes ahead of Brady Maccabi B and FC Team C. Goldberg, who is set to run in the London Marathon in April, said: “I’m hoping I can turn Fortune’s season around."
* When planning a simcha, one of the key factors in my eyes is to make sure it doesn’t clash with an important football match. I’m sure many of you would agree.
Former FA chairman David Bernstein loves telling the story about his barmitzvah coinciding with the 1956 FA Cup final that his beloved Manchester City won, so hats off to my brother-in-law, Andrew Lerner, who ties the knot with his gorgeous fiancée Charlotte Brandon on Sunday, during the international break. Good work Lugs — a Spurs season-ticket holder — and a big mazel tov to both.
