John Paintsil, Assistant Coach of the Black Stars, has weighed in on the growing trend of Ghana Premier League players seeking opportunities abroad, stating that it is only natural for players to pursue lucrative contracts outside of Ghana.
In recent times, players such as Emmanuel Keyekeh, Richmond Lamptey, and Steven Mukwala have made moves to clubs in Rwanda and Tanzania, highlighting the exodus of talent from the local league.
Paintsil, a former Berekum Arsenal defender, believes that teams should not rely too heavily on individual players to build their strength, emphasizing the importance of having a deep squad.
“Running football is a business, so if the player is young and has the opportunity to go, why not?” Paintsil stated in an interview aired on Asempa FM. “It is just about doing the right thing, that’s why you don’t build a team around one player or two players.”
He added, “You need to have a big squad, if you really want to do business. The player can be 16 years and the team in Europe can buy for a long-term contract. The man who, the chairman, the president himself, who is using his money needs to get a return. So I don’t think there’s a problem in that.”
Paintsil stressed the importance of building a solid structure within teams to ensure that they have a pool of talented players to choose from. He advised against building a team around one or two players, emphasizing the need for a well-rounded squad.
As Ghanaian players continue to attract interest from clubs abroad, Paintsil’s insights serve as a reminder of the evolving landscape of football and the need for local teams to adapt to the changing dynamics of player migration.
