This article is a re-post and merge of my now defunct OurFootballBlog football writing blog from 2010 – 2011.
With a twist on the normal assessment of players before a tournament I want to look at 3 individual players who have the ability to set the footballing world alight, but in the current circumstances they find themselves in, may be just as likely to flop instead.
Lionel Messi
After a frankly outstanding 12-18 months worth of football the stage is set for one of the the most technically gifted players ever to grace the game to show his talent on a world stage – much earlier than Maradona ever did. However it’s not quite Maradona the Footballer who casts a shadow over his chances this summer, it’s new kind of Maradona, one that makes… well frankly an appalling manager. Throughout his tenure dressing room unrest has been rife and general poor management left the team limping over the finishing line for the World Cup instead of marching through as the team on paper suggests it should.
At Barcelona Messi has one hell of an amazing stadium packed with supporters, a team full of superstars and a succession of fantastic managers – he’ll be lacking in at least 2 of those areas this summer and then the pressure might really tell. For me – I think he’ll be the biggest flop this summer.
Wayne Rooney
Never before has a team relied on one outstanding player so much since, hmm, well probably since Christiano Ronaldo at United the season before last – but that’s not my point. Where I’m going with this is take Rooney out of the England squad and all of a sudden it’s full of big name players, who never perform on an International stage and behind that a squad that is seriously lacking depth. To be fair Rooney has flourished in a similar role at Old Trafford this year, but when he plays like this in England colours all we see is frustration at his team mates and the Wayne Rooney of old. I’ve not checked the odds yet, but I’m quite fancying Rooney to get sent off during the World Cup because when the going gets tough, the England team get going – back to the hotel to talk about money with their club sides, and when that happens, “Rooney SMAAASH!”.
Jokes aside, there’s too much for him to do on his own, whilst it’s a similar role at United he’s actually got some really creative players around him to craft those chances, England’s answer is Heskey… hmm. There was a time when I could be openly quoted to say:
“If the answer is Peter Crouch I don’t want to know what the question is!”
I now know where the question mark lies, and it’s a huge one, one that’s warmed the bench all year long at club level. The question is Emile Heskey and now I understand why Peter Crouch is the answer.
Kaká
Last but certainly not least is Brazilian and AC Milan star Kaká. No I’m not misinformed, yes I know he made a world record move that was then eclipsed days later by an even bigger name, my point is he’s not a star in Madrid yet, but they still adore him in Italy. Kaká, like most players making a big money move abroad, had an appalling first season at Madrid blighted by injury, bad performances and the signing of Ronaldo. All that fuss to drag Kaká kicking and screaming from a club he loved and was loved at, to then slap him in the face with Christiano Ronaldo at twice the price days later – thanks guys. Despite his season much is expected of him for Brazil, but I think the lack of club form is being underestimated and it’ll transpire to be a dull World Cup for Kaká. No smart stories this time, for me this one is a straight forward flop because of poor form – the only reason he isn’t penned as my key flop is because of how high a pedestal we’ve all put Messi on.
To quote an old adage
The bigger they are the harder they fall, it’s cheese but it’s right. Messi, Rooney, Kaká, each one of them should be taking this tournament by the scruff of the neck, but each having their individual problems I think they’ll all fall much harder than anyone else this summer.
Disagree with me? (come on Luke I know you do – you always do!) Or have you got some suggestions of your own? As always leave your comments below.
