From Sheffield to Anfield: Lessons in Flexibility and Vision for Vietnamese Football

On Saturday evening, I sat watching the replay of Sheffield United's match against Bolton. By the 90th minute, when the ball was already in the back of the net, I noted in my notebook: Hamza Choudhury, number 14, was still standing at right-back, hands on hips, eyes looking toward the stands. A player who had just left Leicester after 21 years, making his debut in an unfamiliar position, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-2 win. That reminded me of my own saying: 'A formation says nothing until the ball is lost.' The context of this story lies in the summer 2026 transfer window, when three major events happened almost simultaneously: Hamza Choudhury moved to Sheffield United on a permanent deal, Mal Benning reached 500 professional appearances, and Amit Bhatia and partners bought 38% of Liverpool's shares. All three are linked to the South Asian community in England, a community increasingly finding its voice in football. But for me, this is not just news. These are tactical and financial signals that Vietnamese football can learn from. First is the case of Choudhury. When Chris Wilder deployed him at right-back against Bolton, many were surprised. Choudhury is naturally a central midfielder, having captained Leicester. But watching his movement, I understood Wilder's intent. Choudhury possesses excellent stamina, good ball-carrying ability, and above all, tactical discipline. In Wilder's system, the right-back is not just a defender but also participates in building play from the back. Choudhury played the full 90 minutes, contributing to the 3-2 victory. This reminds me of James Milner at Liverpool, or Oleksandr Zinchenko at Manchester City – midfielders converted to full-backs to utilize their game-reading and passing abilities. However, this positional switch is not without risks. Against fast and skillful wingers, Choudhury could struggle in one-on-one situations. I have witnessed many similar cases in V-League, where full-backs tend to push high but lack the speed to recover. Based on my experience following matches, I believe Wilder will need to adjust tactically when facing strong wide players. Yet, if Choudhury adapts well, this could be a smart career redefinition, much like many players who have extended their careers by switching positions. The second story is Mal Benning. The 31-year-old has just reached 500 professional appearances – a remarkable number, especially for a British Asian player. Benning has played for Walsall, Mansfield, and Port Vale, scoring in the League Two play-off final against his former club Mansfield. This demonstrates durability and adaptability to various tactical systems. In modern football, where young players often burn out early, having a player like Benning is invaluable. He is the type of player coaches trust, unassuming but always completing his tasks. Finally, there is Amit Bhatia and partners' purchase of 38% of Liverpool. Bhatia, formerly chairman of Queens Park Rangers, will become vice-chairman of Liverpool. Notably, the involvement of Jeff Bezos – Amazon founder – and Eduardo Saverin – Facebook co-founder – marks a convergence of tech finance and traditional football. This investment could provide significant resources for Liverpool to upgrade stadiums, improve the academy, and recruit players. But it also raises governance questions: Will tech investors respect the club's traditions? I recall the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest that Bhatia attended – an unremarkable match, but perhaps a message that he wants to see competition at the highest level. From a contrarian perspective, I believe Choudhury's shift to right-back could be a waste if not utilized properly. He has good passing ability and intelligent game-reading, but as a full-back, he will have fewer opportunities to express his creativity. Similarly, major clubs like Liverpool accepting investment from tech billionaires could create dependence on these individuals, eroding the club's community identity. But that is the reality of modern football. The question is how to balance financial interests and traditional values. For Vietnamese football, these stories offer three lessons. One: positional flexibility is key to extending careers and increasing player value. Two: the persistence and discipline of players like Benning serve as examples for young players. Three: transparent financial management and long-term investment strategy are foundations for sustainable development. When I look at Vietnamese pitches, I see much potential but also many challenges. We need people like Choudhury, Benning, and Bhatia to change our thinking. The ball is dead on the pitch, but intentions live in every meter of movement. I will closely follow Choudhury's performances over the next 10-15 matches. If he succeeds in his new role, it will be a valuable tactical lesson. As for Liverpool, I hope the new investors will respect the club's heritage. And for Vietnamese football, I believe we can learn from these stories to develop in our own way. The Japanese taught me patience; the Belgians taught me ruthlessness. And the English, through these individuals, taught me adaptation.