British-Pakistani is First Asian Regular in English Football

It has long been a source of debate why there are so few Asian players in English football and none at the top level — until now. Zesh Rehman, whose parents are from Pakistan, is the first British Asian to command a regular place in the top flight.

The Fulham defender broke into Chris Coleman’s team this season and has not looked back or out of place alongside fellow Brummie Zat Knight in a central defensive pairing that looks to be the future for Fulham.

While Rehman (21) is aware that he is breaking new ground, he wants to attract attention and be judged on his footballing abilities rather than his ethnic background. But that is not to say that he does not have strong opinions on the issue, or original ideas…