Life is for real

Tonton Zola Moukoko Former youth academy and reserve player for the Rams, the Swedish Congolese (or actually the other way round) attacking midfielder Tonton Zola Moukoko tells about his time with the Rams, his opinion on the presence and the future for the Rams and what it’s like to get calls from all around the world because of a game he hasn’t even played himself.

Talking to Tonton

A chat with Tonton is really amusing. He is light-hearted, speaks freely about his football career until now as well as his plans for the future – and laughs kindly about the many calls he gets from people who are into the famous computer game Football Manager, once known as Championship Manager.

”The other day I spoke with a guy for an hour. He wanted to know what had happened to me since I wasn’t playing for a major club. I was once one of the biggest talents in that computer game so he was wondering... Quite many phone me asking the same question.”

”I was 15 when I went to play for Derby and, yes, I was very talented. Derby was just one of many clubs who wanted to sign me. I played there for five years. I really liked it. The town, the club, everything. Actually, I would like to go back one day. There were great coaches and nice people all around. Guys like Pablo Mills and Izale McLeod were not only talented players but also good friends. And a coach like John Peacock, now coaching the England Youth International, well, you should see him work. It was always a pleasure to train under him,” Tonton says.

Pablo Mills has had a fine run for Rotherham lately and Izale McLeod is now playing for Charlton after playing for the Milton Keynes Dons for almost three years, scoring an impressing one goal pr every two games.

”When I left I was getting close to the first team like Pablo and Izale. They did make it. But I had some problems, you know, and I had to go back to Sweden. Still, the years with Derby are by far the best until now in my career.”

The problems Tonton refer to are probably partly a disagreement with the Derby management at that time. Tonton wanted to study besides playing football and thought Derby would help him with this which they didn’t. In the end the current Manchester City manager Sven-Göran Ericsson helped Tonton getting a contract with a Swedish club and he left Derby. But all hatches seem buried not.

From strength to strength

”I don’t think Derby will stay up. Most of the players are obviously not good enough for the Premier League. Paul Jewell has to buy a bunch of new players, I think. The money is there now. In the long run I’m sure Derby will go from strength to strength and become a good Premier League side,” Tonton says.

”These days I’m looking for a new club myself and going back to play for Derby once again is one of my dreams. I turned down a deal from a Spanish side recently so I’m still looking for a place where I can kick-start my career. A Danish club could very well be a fine choice. I would love to prove myself at a higher level again. You know, I can play all places in the midfield but I prefer the free role as an attacking midfielder. But I play whatever the manager wants me to. I love playing football and just want to be a part of a good side,” Tonton says before asking me whether I’ve got some pull in Danish football. The answer remains a secret for now...

Settling down

”If I find a good club I won’t be too busy going away again, though. I’ve been travelling too much and I would like to settle down. I was seven when I got to Sweden from Congo and 15 when I headed for Derby. Afterwards I’ve been playing here and there. Settling down would be nice, you know...” says the man whose name undisputedly is one of the most famous in a computer game that the man himself hasn’t played. Go google Tonton Zola Moukoko if you don’t believe me.

”It was actually nice being interviewed on something else than a computer game. Not that I mind, people are generally very nice, but my life is for real, you know, and right now I want to find myself a good club to play for. What happens next, well, who knows? Maybe I’ll settle down, maybe I’ll pull a Derby jersey on again one day. Maybe as a player, maybe as a supporter,” Tonton says and laughs.

Before we say goodbye Tonton says ”I wish you Rams all the best. It is a great club. Derby may be going down but only for a short while, I’m sure.”

Now all that remain to find out is whether I’ve got some pull in Danish football...