Rangel Speaks Language

Much is said on the intelligence of the professional footballer. And much would be made of a footballer reading kiddies books in his spare time but for Angel Rangel it’s a necessity as he tried to get to grips with a new language following his move to the Liberty in the summer.

And before anyone asks it’s English that is the Spaniard’s first choice not Welsh despite his allegiance to the Swans and the fantastic start he has made to his career here having seemingly made the right back spot his own.

Rangel’s performances have been right up there this season and his is one of the first names on the team sheet as Roberto has a reasonably steady back four although it could be argued that he now has some competition with Alan Tate’s recent return to fitness.

And his confidence in the English language is now such that he was able to give his first ‘solo’ interview – previously he had used Guillem Bauza as his interpreter.

“I am comfortable on the pitch in English football,” Rangel told the Evening Post.

“In fact I prefer it to Spanish football already.

“In Spain it is more tactical. All the teams are narrow and that makes it more difficult to play.

“But over here you can go forward more easily and that’s something I enjoy.

“Defending is the hard part over here, Footballers here are stronger, and I am not that strong.

“I go to English class twice a week and I think I am getting better,

“At home I am reading books. They are children’s books, but they are good for me at the moment.

“I’m learning quickly. I’m learning new words and my vocabulary is getting better.

“I had a writing test last week,” he adds, “but I’m still waiting to find out if I’ve passed.”

And of his involvement in the FA Cup this weekend?

“In Spain we have the Copa del Rey, but we all know about the FA Cup and we see the results on TV,” Rangel says.

“The FA Cup is the best of all I think.

“The Copa del Rey only has teams from La Liga, Segunda and Segunda B, so there are no games like Billericay against Swansea.

“It’s the same as when we played Reading in the Carling Cup.

“We played at 200 per cent with lots of emotion.

“This weekend Billericay will be playing 300 or 400 per cent against us, but we will be 100 per cent.

“We know all the teams are difficult and that they can beat us if we do not play well.”