Source: Telegraph
Tottenham new boy Wilson Palacios needs football to cope with kidnap nightmare
Palacios is determined to justify his £14 million price tag and prove he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League following his move from Wigan, but he is fighting an even bigger battle off the field.[LNB]Edwin Palacios, 15, was taken from the family home in La Ceiba, Honduras, by five armed assailants in October 2007. A ransom in the region of £135,000 was reportedly paid for his release the following month but he remains in captivity.[LNB]Palacios, who will make his debut against Bolton on Saturday, says he is in constant communication with his mother to find out the latest news, but needs to play football to take his mind off the terrifying events which have affected his family.[LNB]Palacios said: "Everyone knows the situation I'm in and what we're going through, but we get through it through football and that is how I have got through it so far. It is very difficult and every day I speak to my mum. I don't even know if my brother realises I have signed for Tottenham.[LNB]"It is a negative thing about my country and that kind of thing does happen. My mother is going to come over soon and take a break from it all.[LNB]"We are very much aware of what is happening and working on it. Hopefully with the help of God it will all come to a positive conclusion."[LNB]Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes Palacios could hold the key to his side challenging for major silverware again and is ready to build his team around him.[LNB]Redknapp knows he is a lucky man to have secured the services of Palacios after arch-rivals Arsenal turned down the chance to sign him in August 2007, when Arsene Wenger brought him into the English game and invited him for a trial.[LNB]The Arsenal manager was overloaded with central midfield players and initiated a move for him to Birmingham. Palacios impressed Steve Bruce so much that he subsequently took him to Wigan and the player has now established himself as one of the best midfielders in the top flight.[LNB]Palacios added: "I had a trial at Arsenal. The manager had seen me and invited me there. It went OK but he had a surplus of midfielders.[LNB]"I have got a [Arsenal] shirt with my name on it. I have got my own shirt collection and it is part of that. All the players were really friendly but [Phillipe] Senderos and [Cesc] Fabregas in particular really looked after me.[LNB]"Arsene treated me really well and I have been lucky to have received good treatment from all the managers I have played under. I took it very calmly when he let me go and took it in my stride.[LNB]"I have not had any messages from the Arsenal players since I have signed for Tottenham, but whenever I have played against them we have always had a good chat and say 'hello' to each other. Maybe it will be different now.[LNB]"I am extremely happy to have signed for Tottenham. We know how good Spurs are and the quality of players they have. It's only a matter of time before they start moving up the league. The players who are about to arrive will start to make that happen." [LNB]
