What happened to the Soul of Sol?

Campbell celebrating his goal against Barcelona in the CL final 2006

Sol Campbell.

In recent times he is probably our favourite player with a Spurs connection. 2 league titles, 3 FA Cups and a couple of Community Shield victories. Don’t tell me that the latter doesn’t count, because to play that you need to win the league or the FA Cup or finish 2nd. And need I remind you, we haven’t done that for a while.

But back to Sol, that is some achievement. Because you know what the Spurs have achieved in that very period. I remember how delighted I was when he made the switch to Arsenal. Some fans and even a few esteemed journalists seem to be of the idea that Vermaelen is probably the best defensive signing Wenger has made. That might be true of recent times, but when you sign a defender at 26, a regular England International at that, from you most bitter rivals for free, I think you know what the answer to Wenger’s best defensive buy is.

It sparked great hatred from the Spurs fans and scenes from his return to White Hart Lane back in 2001 are still fresh in my memory. But Sol was a strong, determined character. He didn’t let the abuse get to him and arguably gave his most reassured performance in an Arsenal shirt. And who knows maybe Arsenal probably went to produce resolute performances knowing they had this immense rock in more ways than one in the middle of our defence.

The greater the success, the greater the pressure to maintain it. And soon this began to take its toll on Sol. You see what I did there didn’t you?  Campbell’s technical deficiencies began to surface and he began to look more troubled on and off the pitch. Who can forget when he walked out of Highbury when we were losing to West Ham at half time in 2006? Losing to the Hammers was bad enough, but Sol’s decision that game was more upsetting. It undermined the spirit of the team and from there on it was always going to be difficult.

His final contribution was scoring the goal in our Champions League final against Barcelona. He left soon after, joining Portsmouth. It surprised everybody, even Wenger who felt Sol wanted to join a continental club. Fair play to Sol, as around him, Portsmouth had a solid team, solid enough to win silverware.

Now at 35, Sol is without a club after leaving Notts County. He played just one game. When I watched the player conference Sol just didn’t seem to have the strong character he had when he joined Arsenal. He seemed agitated especially and criticized few Premier league clubs. Notts County he said was an ambitious project and he was there for the short term.

But since when did short term mean signing a 5 year deal at 40k? I’m sure nobody would have offered such a long term deal. Also since when did short term mean leaving the club after only one game? On one side you admire him for being honest. If you’re not going to enjoy your time, collecting your wages without giving your best, is unappreciated at most levels, let alone the level of League 2.

However, Sol could have shown more determination and stuck there for a bit longer, perhaps a season at perhaps it is apt that a guy with the surname ‘Trembling’ gives the news on Campbell’s departure from Meadow Lane.