All Things Footie | Friday, May 17 | Jordan
Even Better Than The Real Thing
I have to admit feeling a little sorry for Bayer Leverkusen, I had a funny feeling that they were going to sneak a win. Even after missing the first 5 minutes and being informed that my feeling was a load of toss — seeing as Real (Raul) had already scored — it prevailed, and Bayer's equaliser was greeted by me with a big grin. I thought Leverkusen gave a damn good account of themselves though, Lucio and Ballack in particular (I'd say Basturk as well, but he still hasn't stopped falling over).
As was so astutely observed by Clive Tyldesley, Zidane's goal was worthy of winning any match, a sweeter volley I've not seen for some time. With the exception of Morientes and Hierro I actually thought that most of Real's team underperformed and McManaman's toothless performance undermined all the nice things I had to say about him.
In scurrilous transfer rumours, William Gallas has been linked with a £7.5m move to Arsenal…
“I've been labelled as a utility player and I find it really hard to accept.
“Even though it's for a good cause, it annoys me to be shunted around all the different positions.
“I can't go through another season like this one. I need to be given a clearly defined role.”
However, he did add,
“I stay in Chelsea because I like Chelsea and if I leave to Arsenal, I think the supporters will kill me.”
Fair enough. Another player to be linked with the double winners is Tottenham's right back Steven Carr (£15m). The Carr rumours are ‘backed up’ with a multitude of dodgy ‘mates’ and ‘snouts’ but who's to know? One thing's for sure if he does move, it's not going to impress Spurs fans. It's possible (or not) they'd be cheered to know that Juninho may be on his way to White Hart Lane he wants to move back to England and London is his preferred destination.
Talking of London clubs (back to Chelsea actually) Japanese midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata has been offered to the club by Parma, who are interested in taking Manu Petit in the other direction (ooo err). Would Chelsea be tempted in taking a bit of the lucrative Japanese market? as well as a decent player, I know I would.
Liverpool are ‘on the verge’ of signing Auxerre's talented forward Djibril Cisse for around £14m (before the World Cup apparently) as well as the Republic of Ireland midfielder Damien Duff for £15m. I would consider signing both to be unlikely; with Liverpool's new stadium plans announced it's a lot of money to spend on just two players unless a sale is in the pipeline (remember Didi Hamman to Real Madrid?).
I've been thinking about this World Cup squad business and I've come to the conclusion that there's no point worrying about it, C'est La Vie as the French say (and we could do with learning a thing or two from them). At the moment, Dyer and Gerrard are out, and we might as well accept it. Here's who all things footie thinks should run out on June 2 against Sweden.
| David Seaman |
| Wes Brown | Sol Campbell | Rio Ferdninand | Wayne Bridge |
| David Beckham | Nicky Butt | Paul Scholes | Ashley Cole |
| Robbie Fowler | Michael Owen |
With David James, Joe Cole, Emile Heskey, Owen Hargreaves and Martin Keown on the bench. Incidently, I think Italy will win the tournament. I'm working on some souveneir All Things Footie World Cup Wallpapers as well for those who like that sort of thing. The end of season awards section will be up soon, if you've yet to vote yet then you've only got a couple of day's before it's too late.