The number 7 is normally recognised as a ‘good’ number in sport. Players such as David Beckham, Christiano Ronaldo, George Best, Lewis Figo, Eric Cantona and Raul have all worn the famous number 7 jersey for club and country. But for 7 England internationals it will be their unlucky number.
Capello picked a provisional squad of 30 to ensure all his options were covered meaning 7 players would get the dreaded phone-call on Tuesday June 1st telling them they are not going to be flying out to South Africa, Capello claims he knows his final 23 but with every fan, pundit and player still unsure who are ‘the unlucky 7’.
There seem to be seventeen names that Fabio Capello has faith in and has shown his cards with.
D, James (Portsmouth), R, Green (West Ham), J, Hart (Manchester City) G, Johnson (Liverpool), A, Cole (Chelsea), J, Terry (Chelsea), R, Ferdinand (Manchester United), J, Carragher (Liverpool), L, Baines (Everton) S, Gerrard (Liverpool), F, Lampard (Chelsea), T, Walcott (Arsenal), A, Lennon (Tottenham), J, Milner (Aston Villa) W, Rooney (Manchester United), P, Crouch (Tottenham), J, Defoe (Tottenham)
The only player out of the ‘seventeen names’ to have played all 180 minutes and that is Wayne Rooney. Capello recognises the importance of Rooney to England’s chances and although Rooney hasn’t been at his best in these two warm up games every different system Capello has tried is based around him. Four players who have not featured at all in the two warm up games are Matthew Dawson, Matthew Upson, Steven Warnock and Scott Parker. So if you read much into that you could say the seven is down to three.
How here comes the debate, 9 players, 6 plane tickets. Who does Capello pick?
If Capello had any question marks over Joe Cole they were answered with his performance against Japan giving England a creative link between the front and the midfield that allowed Rooney to do best and movement in positions in the box. Shaun Wright-Phillips also made an impact perhaps pushing him in line for a plane ticket ahead of possibly Adam Johnson who has impressed Capello in training, but obviously not enough for a chance to show it when it matters.
Ledley King also will be positive of his chances after an impressive showing against Mexico and showing his treat from set-pieces by finishing a knock-down from Peter Crouch. Not featuring in the warm up game against Japan shows Capello must have worries about his fitness and of course nobody knows how much he has trained this week.
The last three places then are between Emile Heskey, Darren Bent, Tom Huddlestone, Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry. Although there is a serious injury doubt surrounding Gareth Barry he instantly gets one of the last three places even if he is unavailable for U.S.A come 12th June. Darren Bent didn’t do himself many favours but you could argue he lacked service in a very average first half performance against Japan. Emile Heskey featured for the last ten minutes against Japan and although he missed a sitter from 5 yards when it was easier to score maybe the relationship he has with Wayne Rooney who likes playing alongside Heskey gives him the nod.
The last plane ticket then is between Tom Huddlestone and Michael Carrick. A poor and as usual casual performance by Carrick against Mexico after hardly featuring in Manchester United’s run-in shows a lack of confidence and faith in his ability to break up play. Huddlestone was okay but nothing special against Japan so I’m going to leave this one to experience. 22 caps, 3 Premiership titles and two Champions League finals over 2 full caps and 33 under-21 caps give Michael Carrick the advantage, just.
The Unlucky 7:
S, Warnock (Aston Villa), M, Upson (West Ham), M, Dawson (Tottenham), S, Parker (West Ham), A, Johnson (Manchester City), T, Huddlestone (Tottenham), D, Bent (Sunderland)
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Written by Andrew Leese; 30th May 2010.
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Milan - Madrid - Manchester
With Jose Mourinho being announced as the new Real Madrid manager on Monday, Mourinho has his path paved out already - Milan – Madrid – Manchester (and that’s not the blue of Manchester). Mourinho who has signed a four year contract is expected to have a get out clause enabling him to return to the Premiership.
The ‘Special One’ will take over at Madrid on Monday after signing a four year contract after a compensation agreement between the two clubs has been successfully agreed and it’s not exactly a secret of his desire to once again manage in the Premiership with Manchester being his only destination.
Mourinho claimed after winning the Champions League that Madrid was the only club that wanting him, meaning “Ferguson has decided to stay at Manchester for two more years so I will go to Madrid, become the only manager to win three Champions League titles with three different clubs and patiently wait”.
The list of potential managers for the Manchester United job is small, names such as Laurent Blanc (who is already chosen to become the new National manager of France after the World Cup) Steve Bruce and David Moyes have been mentioned.
But let’s be real, none of them individually or combined can compare to the CV of Mourinho who has won 18 trophies in nine years including back-to-back Premiership titles and two Champions Leagues with two different clubs. Mourinho knows Sir Alex will one day be ready to hand over the keys of his office and the ‘Special One’ will be waiting already planning out the living room in his ‘fourth house’.
The appointment of Mourinho at Madrid basically means Madrid will not be buying Wayne Rooney. Real Madrid has never denied they are big admirers of Manchester United’s prolific striker and want to reunite the partnership with Christiano Ronaldo but Mourinho isn’t stupid enough to jeopardise his chances of being the next Manchester United boss and will not anger the Man Utd fans by bidding for their prize asset.
The Glazer family can breathe easier (for now) but the Chelsea and Liverpool fans will be having sleepless nights as England players Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole are all on the wish list of Mourinho and Real Madrid.
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Written by Andrew Leese; 30th May 2010.
The ‘Special One’ will take over at Madrid on Monday after signing a four year contract after a compensation agreement between the two clubs has been successfully agreed and it’s not exactly a secret of his desire to once again manage in the Premiership with Manchester being his only destination.
Mourinho claimed after winning the Champions League that Madrid was the only club that wanting him, meaning “Ferguson has decided to stay at Manchester for two more years so I will go to Madrid, become the only manager to win three Champions League titles with three different clubs and patiently wait”.
The list of potential managers for the Manchester United job is small, names such as Laurent Blanc (who is already chosen to become the new National manager of France after the World Cup) Steve Bruce and David Moyes have been mentioned.
But let’s be real, none of them individually or combined can compare to the CV of Mourinho who has won 18 trophies in nine years including back-to-back Premiership titles and two Champions Leagues with two different clubs. Mourinho knows Sir Alex will one day be ready to hand over the keys of his office and the ‘Special One’ will be waiting already planning out the living room in his ‘fourth house’.
The appointment of Mourinho at Madrid basically means Madrid will not be buying Wayne Rooney. Real Madrid has never denied they are big admirers of Manchester United’s prolific striker and want to reunite the partnership with Christiano Ronaldo but Mourinho isn’t stupid enough to jeopardise his chances of being the next Manchester United boss and will not anger the Man Utd fans by bidding for their prize asset.
The Glazer family can breathe easier (for now) but the Chelsea and Liverpool fans will be having sleepless nights as England players Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole are all on the wish list of Mourinho and Real Madrid.
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Written by Andrew Leese; 30th May 2010.
Jose Mourinho: A Man on a Mission
Win or lose the Champions League Final in Madrid was about one man and one man only. When English referee Howard Webb’s final whistle ended Inter Milan’s 45 year wait for a European Trophy the cameras focused on one man. The man on the end of everybody’s lips, not two goal hero Diego Milito or Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti, it was of course the ‘special one’ Jose Mourinho. Only a UEFA Champions League final involving Jose Mourinho could make football’s biggest club competition and some of the biggest European football stars take second place.
You could say the script had already been written long before the final whistle in Madrid, victory against his be-loved Chelsea and revenge against Barcelona meant this was Mourinho’s tournament and Inter Milan completing a historic treble is just a small part of the jigsaw. On European Football’s Hollywood event you got your star performer and a little bit of everything to go with it. Supporting roles from match winner Diego Milito, the creative genius of Wesley Sneijder, entertainment value provided by Arjen Robben falling over at every opportunity and the emotional moment when 36 year old Javier Zanetti lifted the trophy for the first time earning himself the life time achievement award for his services to Inter Milan.
Mourinho’s reaction at the final whistle was nothing but joy, but the emotional wave’s goodbye to the Inter Milan fans told the biggest story. The biggest known secret in football became reality; this was Mourinho’s final act as Inter Milan coach. Massimo Moratti hired Jose to win the Champions League at any cost and after two seasons the mission is complete. Joining an elite club of managers who have won the biggest club prize twice with two different clubs Mourinho’s mission is clear. "I want to become the first coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs," said Mourinho. "My work here is done. I have made history with this club."
It is just a matter of time until Mourinho is confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager taking his place on the touch-line of The Bernabeu and using the famous line of ‘I’m European Champion’ in his first press-conference. Well at least next season there will be one more European Champion representing the colours of Real Madrid next season. Mourinho will join Spanish internationals Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol and Xabi Alonso as the only European Champions (who have the possibility of also being World Champions) and who knows; maybe some of his ‘current’ Inter Milan team may join him.
Mourinho may be a two time Champions League winning manager, won back-to-back Premierships in England and famously making his name by running down the touch-line of Old Trafford shocking Manchester United on his way to Champions League glory with Porto; but now he faces his two biggest challenges. The best have walked in to Real Madrid, been successful and quickly walked out again, Mourinho must deliver trophies in Madrid but he must do it the Real Madrid way; with attractive free-flowing football and winning in style. Mourinho and his well disciplined Inter side may have stopped Messi twice this season but the Madrid faithful will not stand for 10 players behind the ball closing down space; they have their way and just because Mourinho is the best this do not mean he is immune to the handkerchiefs being waved in disapproval.
This is an achievement ‘current’ Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini will agree it is easier said than done with competition coming from Catalan giants Barcelona who have just splashed out £35.4 million pounds (€40 million Euros) on Spanish star David Villa joining Xavi, Carlos Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and of course the magical Lionel Messi in possibly the greatest European side ever made hungry to win back their title as European Champions. That is Mourinho’s biggest challenges; can Mourinho stop Messi and co? & more importantly can he do it the Real Madrid way?
_________________________________________________________
Written by Andrew Leese
You could say the script had already been written long before the final whistle in Madrid, victory against his be-loved Chelsea and revenge against Barcelona meant this was Mourinho’s tournament and Inter Milan completing a historic treble is just a small part of the jigsaw. On European Football’s Hollywood event you got your star performer and a little bit of everything to go with it. Supporting roles from match winner Diego Milito, the creative genius of Wesley Sneijder, entertainment value provided by Arjen Robben falling over at every opportunity and the emotional moment when 36 year old Javier Zanetti lifted the trophy for the first time earning himself the life time achievement award for his services to Inter Milan.
Mourinho’s reaction at the final whistle was nothing but joy, but the emotional wave’s goodbye to the Inter Milan fans told the biggest story. The biggest known secret in football became reality; this was Mourinho’s final act as Inter Milan coach. Massimo Moratti hired Jose to win the Champions League at any cost and after two seasons the mission is complete. Joining an elite club of managers who have won the biggest club prize twice with two different clubs Mourinho’s mission is clear. "I want to become the first coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs," said Mourinho. "My work here is done. I have made history with this club."
It is just a matter of time until Mourinho is confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager taking his place on the touch-line of The Bernabeu and using the famous line of ‘I’m European Champion’ in his first press-conference. Well at least next season there will be one more European Champion representing the colours of Real Madrid next season. Mourinho will join Spanish internationals Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol and Xabi Alonso as the only European Champions (who have the possibility of also being World Champions) and who knows; maybe some of his ‘current’ Inter Milan team may join him.
Mourinho may be a two time Champions League winning manager, won back-to-back Premierships in England and famously making his name by running down the touch-line of Old Trafford shocking Manchester United on his way to Champions League glory with Porto; but now he faces his two biggest challenges. The best have walked in to Real Madrid, been successful and quickly walked out again, Mourinho must deliver trophies in Madrid but he must do it the Real Madrid way; with attractive free-flowing football and winning in style. Mourinho and his well disciplined Inter side may have stopped Messi twice this season but the Madrid faithful will not stand for 10 players behind the ball closing down space; they have their way and just because Mourinho is the best this do not mean he is immune to the handkerchiefs being waved in disapproval.
This is an achievement ‘current’ Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini will agree it is easier said than done with competition coming from Catalan giants Barcelona who have just splashed out £35.4 million pounds (€40 million Euros) on Spanish star David Villa joining Xavi, Carlos Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and of course the magical Lionel Messi in possibly the greatest European side ever made hungry to win back their title as European Champions. That is Mourinho’s biggest challenges; can Mourinho stop Messi and co? & more importantly can he do it the Real Madrid way?
_________________________________________________________
Written by Andrew Leese
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