Interview With... Ex-Chelsea Stopper Hugo Sobte

The goalkeeping position is one of great importance at every level of football, the last bastion of defence between the opposition and the net. We talked to Hugo Sobte, the ex-Chelsea youth teammate of Declan Rice and Mason Mount, and the current Hanwell Town FC goalkeeper about his early memories of football, the impact of playing non-league football from a young age and we ask him ‘The Big Question’.

(Hugo in action for Hanwell Town FC, courtesy to Hanwell Town FC)

BACKGROUND

Hugo Sobte is a 21-year-old goalkeeper, and has plied his trade at only two clubs outside of an academy so far, having previously been involved in the QPR, Chelsea and Crystal Palace set ups, but this includes over 150 appearances for Windsor FC and captaining them just all by 19. From there he joined now-BetVictor Isthmian League South Central Division side, Hanwell Town, and you can read about the history of Hanwell here; https://bit.ly/2A5uah9, where he has been ever-present in between the sticks ever since.

Jacob Welch, JW: From what age were you involved in the set up?

Hugo Sobte, HS: From U9 till U10 and a bit of the U11 year.

JW: After this period, you were brought into the Chelsea academy, how was it being brought into a club that is famed for its youth and talent development?

HS: At the time it was surreal, (as I was) going from QPR to a club the size of Chelsea. It was quite overwhelming and honestly, I don’t think I fully appreciated the opportunity to this day.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACADEMY AND MEN’S FOOTBALL

JW: A goalkeeper is arguably one of the hardest positions to play, both physically and mentally. Do you think your time within the youth set ups of all these clubs, as well as having a good relationship with your coaches helped you develop your game, or do you think the time you have spent playing men’s football has had a greater impact?

HS: Honestly academy football is far too nice for my liking. It’s all about passing and not about learning how to win games. For me men’s football was the best thing I ever did both mentally and physically I’ve been able to adapt and have become a better person and player for it, having played nearly 200 senior games by the age of 21 is something I’m proud of!

JW: I think playing 200 games is an achievement regardless of age, so to have played that many at such a young age speaks volumes about your ability and maturity. Would you encourage players that are involved in Academy football to try and get experience in the non-league game, for some of the reasons you stated?

HS: Yes massively! A few mates of mine of whom I was at Chelsea with have now gone out on loans from their respective clubs to the lower leagues of pro football (League 1/2 and have said it’s the best thing they ever did however there are some other examples of mates who are now taking the premier league by storm, Mason Mount and Declan Rice (Declan got released by Chelsea the same day I did.)

JW: Wow that is great to see just how impactful experience can be, and the Rice and Mount points are just additional evidence to that.

(Video courtesy of Elsa Jones, Twitter Handle: @elsajones26 https://twitter.com/elsajones26)

NOW WITH HANWELL TOWN

JW: Moving on to this season, how has it been for you?

HS: This season has been a good one for me personally and as a team, moving up a league for me and to a team that was all new to me was a challenge but it wasn’t one that I regret one bit. The group of lads we have here and the changing room environment is one of the best I’ve experienced! It’s all a bit up in the air at the moment with how the league will end but promotion would top of a great year for us!

JW: For you personally what do you hope to achieve in the near future?

HS: Promotion would be unreal, as it is not something I have experienced in senior football, playing step three football with Hanwell (Town FC) is what I’m aiming for.

THE BIG QUESTION

JW: Final question, if you could have dinner with 3 footballing people, whether it be players, coaches, physios etc, who would they be and why?

HS: David Beckham, Paolo do Canio and Mark Noble, being a West Ham fan and season ticket holder since the age of three and the latter two have played a massive part in my footballing life growing up watching from the terraces. David Beckham, because who wouldn’t want to have dinner with Becks! Also, when I was at Chelsea Brooklyn came on trial so it was kind of surreal have David and his family watching training sessions and games!

JW: Some great selections, thank you for your time Hugo.

#Chelsea #QPR #Beckham

Images and videos courtesy of Hanwell Town, https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hanwelltown/photos