Tag: Giggs

And the PFA award goes to…

giggsyRyan Giggs was named the PFA’s Player of the Year today. It’s the icing on the 20 year career cake for Giggsy. He’s twice been named as the Young Player of the Year, but he never won the big one. A lot of people in the media think he didn’t deserve to win as he only started 12 games for Manchester United in the Premier League this season. Most people think it should have gone to his United team mate Nemanja Vidic and that this was a heart string vote by his fellow professionals. One thing you can’t deny is his contribution to football and Manchester United. But that’s not what this award is about is it?

Not knowing if Giggs would return for more football next season, the PFA seem to have pulled an Academy Award type move by rewarding the great Welshman in a season that was definitely influential, but not necessarily his best. It’s a bit like the year when Paul Newman won Best Actor for the Colour Of Money. He’d been nominated so many times before for great movies and he’d never won. But in 1996, the Academy were bitten by the nostalgia bug and before anyone could say “and the award goes to…”, the statuette was already on proud display in Paul Newman’s downstairs bathroom.

Is Ryan Giggs the Paul Newman of football? Do you thinks Giggs deserved it this year? Was he named PFA Player of the Year because of his legend? It’s undeniable he’s one of the best talents the Premier League has seen. But should this have been Steven Gerrard’s year?

Where’s the love for Lampard..?

389016-50474lampard_large-797999There’s no question Frank Lampard is a world-class footballer. So why doesn’t he get the love he deserves for his achievements? Sure he’s struggled for England over the last few years, but what English footballer hasn’t struggled playing for their country? If Lampard played for Manchester United or Liverpool or was an Italian, French or Brazilian national, would he not be in the running for player of the year every year?

Five Manchester United players (yes that’s five) and one Liverpool player have been nominated for PFA Player of the Year. Edwin van der Sar, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic all deserve their nominations for the team’s defensive record. And Ryan Giggs has been an inspiration for the team showing composure and leadership. Has he played enough games though? Cristiano Ronaldo has come into form late in the season, but I’m not sure he deserves to be in the running for #1 again. Steven Gerrard is the only non-United player and he has certainly lifted Liverpool’s spirits this season has they pursue the Holy Grail…the Premier League title.

But what about Lampard? I think he’s beome a far more important player to Chelsea than John Terry. And after Deco was wheeled in during the summer, there was so much speculation about Lampard’s future. He always knew where he wanted to play and he signed a new contract, proving once again his love and passion to play for Chelsea (and the money was great)! He’s worth every penny because he is the man that makes the Blues tick. He scores around 20 goals every season and he works hard around the park for his team. Chelsea can afford to lose Ballack, Cole or Mikel, but when they lose Lampard, they lose a piece of their identify and drive.

Over the last year or so, Lampard has also shown that in adversity, he has the mental strength to fight on and prove he’s one of the best. As well as Chelsea’s woes this season, he’s had a very difficult time personally as he continues to deal with the death of his mother and the break-up of his relationship to long-term partner Elen Rives. But his will to win, coupled with his leadership and style of play has helped drag the millionaire maestros to an F.A. Cup final and a Champions League semi-final. And all that in a so-called poor season for Chelsea. I think it’s high-time someone showed him the love…

Another own goal from Gallas…

william_gallas_280x_441703a-718945William Gallas delivered a dagger through the hearts of Arsenal fans this week with his announcement of infighting on the field and in the dressing room. Some would say his actions show he cares and that he’s passionate and at least illustrates a desire to succeed and win. However, most would say he’s behaved liked a petulant child as opposed to a leader of men. The problem is, Gallas didn’t have the men to lead in the first place, he had boys. We all know the major issue at Arsenal is leadership. So if we know it, why can’t Arsene Wenger see it?

The man has been a legend at Arsenal over the last 10 years. He got everyone to buy into his philosophy of football and the team reaped the rewards with much success. The reason for that success though was the ability to blend English players with foreign players. Adams, Bould, Bergkamp, Keown, Viera and many other quality guys came together and achieved. When he introduced youth to his team, the veterans were able to steer and guide them in the right direction. The problem however was the English and veteran players had gone and they were never replaced.

In the 90’s Sir Alex Ferguson introduced a young group of Manchester United players to the Premier League and everyone questioned if they could challenge for the title. The media were all over it. But we all know what happened next don’t we? That same team dominated English football for years. They succeeded with a blend of experience, youth, English players and foreign players too. Beckham, Neville, Scholes and Giggs and the support of Keane, Schmeichel, Bruce and Cantona. The balance of the team was perfect and Arsenal can certainly learn from what Sir Alex Ferguson did.

This is a very young Arsenal team and Gallas has been burning on their lack of maturity for a while now. These thoughts and opinions he’s expressed didn’t come out of nowhere. Much of what he’s said this week is probably true. But there are fights at every club. Nobody is perfect and to announce family secrets to the world’s media was probably the worse thing he could have done. He makes some worrying claims for the fans. What do we make of this player Gallas claims nobody likes? Who is the player throwing insults at his own team during the game? And why would Gallas go public now?

Quite simply, he wants a transfer to another team in January. You don’t cause all this drama without having an ulterior motive. Whether he’s right or wrong, what he did was totally inappropriate for a professional sportsman, especially as captain of one of the world’s biggest and best football teams. Arsenal fans say au revoir Gallas. Get lost to you and your own goals and don’t let the door hit you on the way out…

Legend Eric Cantona…

eric_cantona_caricatureThis week’s legend is French genius Eric Cantona. Before Arsenal played beautiful football, there was King Eric spreading the ball about the pitch as smooth as nutella on a slice of toast. He mesmerized the Old Trafford faithful with his magical feet and unbelievable passion. He made goals, he scored goals, and even created a litte bother along the way.

Long before Zinedine Zidane’s infamous head butt in the World Cup Final, Cantona was doing a little Kung Fu fighting with an abusine Crystal Palace fan. The fan yelled profanities about his mother and before he could yell some more, Cantona took his magical feet to the fan Bruce Lee style. After his moment of madness, Cantona was banned from the game he loves for a good few months. And it wasn’t just Manchester United fans that missed him. Everyone loved to watch the King.

Just who is the greatest player to have served in the Premier League? Zola? Bergkamp? Henry? Giggs? They are all world class players, but did Eric Cantona have that little extra that made him more special? I think he went beyond a footballer and entertainer. Cantona possessed the torture and angst of a great artist. We loved the beast that lived within his footballing soul. He painted beautiful pictures for us with his feet and we couldn’t get enough of him. He powered the Theater of Dreams. Long live the King…