Name: Kenneth Graham Sansom
Nickname: "Kenny"
Country:
EnglandClub: Arsenal F.C.
Position: *SB
Side: LF/LS
Age: 22-28 years (26/09/1958)
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 73 kg
Attack: 76
Defence: 75
Balance: 77
Stamina: 89
Top Speed: 81
Acceleration: 84
Response: 82
Agility: 81
Dribble Accuracy: 79
Dribble Speed: 83
Short Pass Accuracy: 79
Short Pass Speed: 76
Long Pass Accuracy: 82
Long Pass Speed: 80
Shot Accuracy: 63
Shot Power: 78
Shot Technique: 64
Free Kick Accuracy: 62
Curling: 68
Header: 82
Jump: 80
Technique: 79
Aggression: 82
Mentality: 83
Goalkeeper Skills: 50
Team Work: 83
Injury Tolerance: A
Condition: 7
Weak Foot Accuracy: 4
Weak Foot Frequency: 3
Consistency: 7
Growth type: Standard/Lasting
CARDS:
P07 - Early Cross
P17 - Offensive Fullback
S08 - Slide Tackle
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Dribbling - Side - Sliding
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Balanced
INFO:
Sansom was a left back. He grew up at Crystal Palace where he played 197 matches and scored 4 goals from 1974 to 1980, debuting in First Division in the 1979-80 season. Then he transferred to Arsenal where he spent the majority of his career: 394 games and 6 goals from 1980 to 1988. After leaving the Gunners, he played for Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Coventry City, Everton, Brentford and Watford, where he retired in 1995. He gained 86 caps for England, scoring once. He was part of the squad at the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups as well as at Euro 1980 and 1988.
Considered one of the finest ever English full-backs and one of the most consistent at his time, Sansom had great stamina, was efficient in defence with decisive tackles to recover the ball as well as in attack thanks to a very good dribbling ability to overcome the opponents and push forward. He was an accurate passer, was very quick on short distances and, despite his short size, he was strong in the air. These characteristics made him the perfect defender and set the tone for the modern full-back position.