Fulham defender Kenny Tete has revealed how his struggles at former club Olympique Lyon, despite his three-year spell with the French side.
The full-back has been speaking to Voetbalzone and journalist Jelle Kusters about mental health and the battles he’s had in his career so far.
He started his career in the Netherlands before moving to Ajax Youth in 2005, where he remained until 2017, moving up the various youth ranks over the 12 years he was there and making 55 appearances for the first team.
He moved to Lyon for €3.2m in 2017 and make 80 appearances for the French club in a three-year period but his time there is considered as a difficult one, something he has discussed in the past.
He’s now explained why that was the case, revealing his struggles and the problems he faced in a new country.
“What was so difficult in France? You are a young boy, and you are leaving,” he said.
“A lot is changing, and a lot of things are coming your way. I didn’t play all the time, there was a language barrier… It’s difficult.
“Sometimes it feels like you are on an island. That is also just a period you have to go through.”
The subject of mental health in football has become an important one in recent years, with more and more footballers revealing their battles with mental health.
That has been widely welcomed by fans and those outside of the game, who believe it is healthy for football stars to speak on the subject.
It has led to an increased focus on the ‘mental aspect’ of the game, with most clubs now employing therapists, sports psychologists, and mental health professionals to work with their squads and even coaching staff.
Tete believes there should be more of that and has called for more clubs to provide help for the ‘mental aspect of life.’
“We had someone who helped us with the mental aspect before,” he added.
“If you had questions, you could sit down with him and discuss things. At the moment we don’t have anyone for that at Fulham.
“Do I do something about my mental well-being? I do have certain people I can have conversations with. Sure.”
