“He’s a great actor, a great goalkeeper”
Watford manager Claudio Ranieri has responded to claims that staff are unhappy with Ben Foster’s commitment to vlogging on club time.
Foster regularly posts to his channel, The Cycling GK, giving fans and subscribers a window into life as a footballer and his passion for cycling. When playing in the Championship, his videos included footage filmed from inside his goal using a GoPro camera.
When Watford were flying in the Championship, there were few complaints about his extra-curricular activities. But given their current form, with the side sitting 16th in the Premier League, his enthusiasm for vlogging has started to grate on fans and club staff alike.
Club staff are becoming increasingly frustrated with how much of a priority the YouTube channel has become for their most senior player. One insider told the Athletic: “It makes me so angry. Focus your dedication and commitment to the club because in return you receive a huge salary and privileged life.”
Following these suggestions, new Watford boss Ranieri was quizzed about his opinion on Foster’s vlogging at his press conference yesterday.
The reporter asked the Italian if he was worried about suggestions that claimed Foster was ‘spending too much time on his YouTube channel’ instead of concentrating on his football.
The 70-year-old responded, as per Sky Sports: “I don’t know (if the suggestions are fair) because Ben, in training sessions, on the pitch and during the match is always concentrating.
“Then, I can tell him, ‘well done’. At 30 years old, he’s thinking about the future and well done to him.
“He’s a great actor, a great goalkeeper, that’s it.”
"Well done to him, he is a great actor and a great goalkeeper"
Claudio Ranieri has no issues with Ben Foster continuing to manage his own YouTube channel alongside playing Premier League football pic.twitter.com/iQwAfNxEdK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 22, 2021
The Hornets are in action on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Everton looking for their third win of the Premier League season.
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