Our favorite podcast, Goalmouth Scramble, is back at it and this time Curtis dives in with two feet to tackle the issue of loyalty in the sport. Is there even any? The Francesco Totti’s and Ryan Giggs’ of the world are the exceptions, not the rules. No longer do players stay with one club their entire careers. So rarely do superstars come up with a powerhouse club, and even if they do it’s no guarantee they’ll stick around for a career. The richest and biggest clubs can buy any player they want, which creates a high-priced mercenary system to do one thing: win matches and trophies. Clubs may boast about their histories, but those were built on homegrown talent, not on what could be bought. They say money talks and in the world of soccer it certainly does where we know where the real loyalty lies; the almighty dollar (or pound or euro or whatever currency you use).
Also in store, more EPL previews. This time a look at Arsenal and Middlesbrough.
Also, more news regarding Goalmouth Scramble and Soccer Manager for all of the fantasy fanatics out there.
Enjoy!
During a recent Under-9 soccer match at the local Parks and Recreation complex a grown adult male verbally abused the match official, according to eye-witnesses. At 8:09 a.m. last Saturday, Ronnie Teague, the presiding referee, had just started the match between the Krazy Kickers and the Super Lizards when he heard Daniel Kelmeth arrive on the sidelines shouting bizarrely graphic threats on his life.
Flaunting all conventions of sportsmanship and sideline courtesy which normally accompany youth soccer, Mr. Kelmeth lambasted Mr. Teague with a stream of verbal attacks few at the scene could see coming. Many other soccer parents in attendance reported their dismay and confusion at the nature of Mr. Kelmeth’s tirades at the respected match official.
“Refs are just kids doing their jobs,” a fellow spectator said, “and the kids are just want to have fun playing soccer. I guess I just don’t understand why he’s so upset, I mean my kid sucks, but he’s better than [Dan] Kelmeth’s kid.” Many other parents reported being confused by Mr. Kelmeth’s outbursts, referring to the respectful and nurturing atmosphere which always surrounds youth soccer.
Seeming to ignore the fact that it is physically impossible for the eight-year-olds on his team to play soccer on the level of his expectations, Mr. Kelmeth refused to drop the issue, making the 14-year-old referee the target of his insults throughout the match. These odd verbal attacks became most pointed after Mr. Teague would blow his whistle for a foul.
Mr. Teague reported feeling especially threatened when he heard Mr. Kelmeth shouting obscenities and insults which apparently included, “no-talent dummy,” “stupid-ref-who-can’t-even-drive,” and “tuna cakes.”
The young match official does not plan to take any official action against Mr. Kelmeth, citing the threats of physical violence and the “really sweet” Sony PlayStation 3 owned by Scott Kelmeth, Daniel’s 15-year-old son.
It now appears like the buck-toothed one is 90 percent sure of landing in Milan next season. While nothing is set in stone yet, it seems that the allure of AC Milan’s prestige and history of won Ronaldinho’s favor over the pounds (that’s money, not what he would be adding to his bulging waistline with a diet of fish and chips and lager) at Manchester City.
Although we’re not sure who the winner is in this situation.
Yes the transfer of Ronaldinho is a big deal (now the tabloids can focus on the ridiculous talk of Adebayor being worth 30 million pounds-more on that in a different post), but City should count itself lucky to have lost out on this transfer.While snagging Ronaldinho would have brought City a certain cachet, it also would have brought it the frowning face of the equine-inclined Brazilian. Deemed surplus at Barcelona, Ronaldinho has ceased to be an attacker who put fear in defenders and set them on their heels. Instead he became content with fancy flicks and his movement on the field decreased while his belly increased.
Maybe it really is just fitness holding him back; if that’s the case then Milan has a steal on its hands because if a fit Ronaldinho means a return to his form two seasons ago then Serie A defenders had better look out. Sadly this is doesn’t seem likely. Now combine that with where he will fit into Milan’s scheme on the field. History has shown us that he and Kaka don’t exactly bring out the best in each other on the pitch, and Kaka is not going anywhere. Now add in Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso, Mathieu Flamini, Massimo Ambrosini and Clarence Seedorf and the midfield looks pretty crowded (similar to Barcelona). Ronaldinho is not an out-and-out striker so putting him up top will not play to his strengths or help the squad (even if Filippo Inzaghi is Milan’s top striker).
This all puts Milan in a quandary. Bring over the Ronaldinho, just a couple of years removed from being the world’s best player, and now find out he might not even be needed. We also don’t buy the change of scenery argument because Ronaldinho is 28, rich beyond belief and the signs of content in him have already begun to show. The fire and joy he brought to matches has dimmed only to spark in a moment of beauty, like a bicycle kick, to remind us all of what he once was. Milan has had success with Brazilians, but this was one they should have taken a pass on.
At least once the transfer is completed we won’t have to hear incessant Ronaldinho talk until he starts to regularly find a comfy spot on the bench.
