Welcome to the Blue Heaven: Don’t Bet Against the Goalkeeper by Jimmy Nielsen with Paolo Bandini is the story of a footballing journey, a journey that took Nielsen to Kansas City to become the best goalkeeper in MLS.
It is a story of success and failure, of devastating mistakes and ultimately redemption. It is a story of soccer and of life and how the two go well together.
It all started back in Denmark as a youngster with loads of potential and a lot of expectations. He was a highly coveted prospect, signing with English clubs Millwall and Leicester City. But his best years came in the Danish top-flight, that is until a call from the States literally changed his life forever.
Nielsen doesn’t shy away from controversy, including an honest discussion of his gambling addiction. This was a problem that cost him a spot on the national team and almost ruined his club career and more importantly, jeopardized the happiness of his family.
Most star athletes would have avoided the exploits of his “Casino Jimmy” days, but Nielsen takes it head on. Why? So others can learn from his mistakes. Let’s call it a teachable moment.
The story is one with a happy ending. Coming to Kansas City revitalized his career and allowed him to regain his passion for the sport. Nielsen has been enormously successful in MLS, earning the top goalkeeper award last season. He has been a leader on and off the pitch and looks to have several good years left in the tank.
The book was a great read. It was very conversational; it literally felt like you were having a chat with an old friend. It read well with a nice flow and didn’t feel like work. It was a joy in every regard.
This is a must read for any Sporting KC fan, but it is also something for anyone interested in MLS. It gives you a good perspective on foreign players coming to play in our top league. Some don’t transition well, but some (like Nielsen) absolutely flourish in MLS.
The book is available in bookstores, on Amazon.com, or directly from Ascend Books.
