Mes: febrero 2022

Joining The Debate

Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, there’s an ongoing debate about who the world’s greatest player is. Argentina’s Messi is among the most named. There are also those who root for the likes of Portugal’s Christiano Ronaldo. Recently, Carlos Tevez, the Manchester City and Argentina striker, and Rooney’s former teammate at Man United, created a stir when he said that Rooney is the best he has ever played against, or alongside. In fact, Tevez categorically stated that Rooney is better than his Argentinian teammate, Messi, as well as the Portugal star striker, Christiano Ronaldo.

Early Bird

At 25, Rooney has over a hundred Premier League appearances and 50-plus England caps. When he turned out for Everton, against Arsenal, in his first Premier League appearance, Rooney established a record – since broken – as the youngest ever to play in the EPL. His goal scored in that match against the defending champions, Arsenal, ended Arsenal’s 30-match unbeaten streak. It also made Rooney the youngest ever player to score a goal in the EPL (this record has also been bested, since).

Rooney went on to become the youngest player to earn an England cap – another record, since erased – when he played in a friendly against Australia, in 2003. He became the youngest England player to score an international goal, at Euro 2004. Rooney announced his arrival in tournament action, with a sensational showing that ended, tragically, in the quarter-final against Portugal, when he got injured and was forced to leave the field.

Blazing a Trail

Rooney has spent eight years in football, and has eight trophies to highlight his presence in the football arena, including 3 Premier League titles, and one each in the UEFA Champions League, Community Shield, and Champions Cup. The icing on the cake was the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, in 2008.

He has no dearth of endorsements and has won countless individual prizes, capped by the 2010 PFA Players’ Player of the Year award conferred on him, in April, 2010.

Goal-scoring Ability

Statistics don’t often tell the whole truth, but they usually give broad indications of any existing trend. In Rooney’s case, the trend, if we can call it that, has been overwhelming. Over 145 goals, from about 360 appearances in club football, point to a prolific goal-scoring ability. Rooney’s strike rate has only improved in Internationals, where his 55 England caps (as on January, 2010) have resulted in 25 goals.

Comparison with Other Star Strikers

At the beginning of this article, I spoke of Messi and Christiano Ronaldo as being preferred over Rooney, by many, as the best player in the world. How does Rooney’s goal scoring compare with these strikers’? As of January 2010, Rooney had 25 goals from 55 Internationals. Messi has 13 goals from 41 matches; Christiano Ronaldo has 22 from 67. Going farther afield, Brazil’s Kaka has 26 from 73, and Spain’s Xavi (Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008) has 8 from 82 caps. Spain’s Fernando Torres, only a year older than Rooney, and who, like the England striker, has represented his country, since 2003, has 23 from 71.

Injury Threat

Injury was Rooney’s bane, at both the Euro 2004 and FIFA World Cup 2006 campaigns. Coincidentally, both campaigns ended at the quarter-final stage, and against the same team, Portugal, and by way of penalty kicks. While Rooney sustained an injury during the quarter-final of Euro 2004, at the FIFA World Cup 2006, he went into the tournament with an injury, and the England team management set up a special oxygen tent to help Rooney recover in time for action. Earlier, in March, this year, Rooney twisted his ankle during the EPL. He was back in action, a few weeks later, in the Champions League, where the injury recurred. All of England’s fans will be praying for Rooney’s fitness at this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Partnerships

One player, alone, cannot deliver victory. Where his rivals have scored over Rooney is in the quality of support they have derived from other players, in their respective squads. For instance, Xavi owed much of his success, at Euro 2008, to the support he got from teammates, Torres and Villa.

How effective Rooney is at FIFA World Cup 2010 will depend to a large extent on how well he is supported in the field by the likes of Gerrard, Crouch and Defoe.

Awesome Form

Rooney has been in awesome form, throughout the current season. His 34 goals from 44 appearances for Man U tell their own story. Gary Lineker, himself an accomplished former striker for England, avers that England cannot win without Rooney. Alan Shearer, another England ex-striker, recommends a 4-5-1 formation, with Rooney leading the attack, alone, a strategy that Lineker also endorses.

For England to shine at this World Cup, they must treat Rooney like the jewel he is – with extreme care. On Rooney’s part, he must keep his head, and not fall prey to on-field provocations from rivals, as he so infamously did, in the World Cup 2006 quarter-final, against Portugal.

Who is the World’s Best?

Chelsea’s boss, Ancellotti, will brook no argument. Rooney is the best, he says. This, coming from a man who has been at the receiving end of Rooney’s genius in the EPL, is a telling endorsement.

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The topic that everyone seems to want to question. Who are the best young players, player comparisons and most importantly is whether they will live up to their potential. There have been numerous youngsters in the past five years alone. Pablo Aimar and Javier Saviola were supposed to be the new Diego Maradona, Antonio Cassano the new Roberto Baggio. The list could go on for failed potential. Here I am going to list the top 10 players in the world.

10) Mario Balotelli

Current Club: Inter Milan

Nationality: Ghana, Italy

Age: 17

Position: Striker

Player Comparisons: George Weah

A player with big potential. A big, strong and pacy forward who is a specialist set piece taker. At just 17 he has been called up to an senior international call up by his home country Ghana, though this has been declined due to his preference to play for Italy once he reaches his 18th birthday. Baloteli is one to look out for the future.

9) Giovani Dos Santos

Current Club: Tottenham

Nationality: Mexico

Age: 19

Posistion: Attacking Midfielder (Left, Right)

Player Comparisons: Ronaldinho

Giovani Dos Santos comes to Tottenham with a huge reputation. At Barcelona he had the likes of Messi, Ronaldinho, Henry, Bojan and Iniesta competing with him for a first team spot. A skilful winger who can be just as strong playing on the right as he can on the left. The £4.7 million Tottenham paid Barcelona could prove to be a massive bargain as he plays his trade in the Premiership next season.

8) Karim Benzema

Current Club: Lyon

Nationality: France, Algeria

Age: 20

Position: Striker

Player Comparisons: Nickolas Anelka

The young French forward has just had a fantastic season in France finishing top scorers with 24 goals ensuring Lyon were to win the League for the 7th year in a row. His quality has interested the likes of Man Utd and Real Madrid though he has underlined his determination to stay with the French champions for the time being. His reputation around Europe has increased around Europe to the point that some fans were already predicting he would become the top scorer at Euro 2008, although this was not to happen.

7) Theo Walcott

Current Club: Arsenal

Nationality: England

Age: 19

Position: Right Midfielder, Striker

Player Comparisons: Ryan Giggs

It seems like the young England forward has been around for forever. It was when he was just 16 playing for Southampton that he convinced Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to sign him beating off some tough competition. He was then brought into the England squad for the 2006 World Cup without playing a single game for Arsenal, though he did not feature in the tournament. Since then he has slowly progressed and will this year be hoping to push himself into the Arsenal starting line up.

6) Carlos Vela

Current Club: Arsenal

Nationality: Mexico

Age: 19

Position: Striker

Player Comparisons: David Villa

Bought by Arsenal after receiving the player of the tournament in the u17s World Cup for Mexico. He has since spent his time on loan in Spain awaiting a work permit. A player who is very similar to Valencia start David Villa due to his pace and finishing ability. Like Tottenham signing Dos Santos he will be looking to make an impact in his opening season in English football.

5) Lulinha

Current Club: Cortinthians

Nationality: Brazil

Age: 18

Position: Attacking Mid

Player Comparisons: Kaka

The only player in the list playing outside of Europe will show how highly rated this player is. A hugely talented player who could be set to become one of the next Brazilian greats. Clubs like Chelsea are known to have made an enquiry though the Brazilian club will not let him go unless an offer of £24 Million comes in.

4) Alexandre Pato

Current Club: Ac Milan

Nationality: Brazil

Age: 18

Position: Striker

Player Comparisons: Samuel Eto’o

When people discuss the most deadly forward lines which they do with AC Milan, then for a 18 year old considered to be in that forward line is some fete. It was not until January where he could make his first team appearance for AC Milan. It was when people started realising why he was so talked about prior to his debut. Despite being injured and missing a few weeks off injury, Pato still managed to score 9 goals for the club. The club displayed so much confidence in him that they started him in the Champions league game against Arsenal ahead of the likes of Flippo Inzahgi. He is currently at the Beijing Olympics where he has already spoke off his desire to finish as top scorer.

3) Anderson

Current Club: Man Utd

Nationality: Brazil

Age: 20

Position: Central Midfield

Player Comparisons: Diego Simeone, Paul Scholes

Bought for a fee believed to be around £18 million. Utd have very high hopes for Anderson and will be one of the only youngsters in the world deemed worthy enough to fill in Paul Schole’s boots. A very all rounded midfielder who passed better then any player on this list. He can also tackle and dribble which is rare nowadays for a player of his talent. One issue with Anderson is that he has been quite prone to injuries so he will need to do his best to ensure this doesn’t damage his career.

2) Bojan

Current Club: Barcelona

Nationality: Spain

Age: 17

Position: Striker

Player Comparisons: Raul

800 youth goals for Barcelona should be enough to talk about for Bojan. Already given the number 11 shirt for Barcelona which might suggest he will be in the starting eleven for next season. He scored 12 goals in his 1st senior season for Barcelona. He seems like he wants to stay at the club for his whole career so he could break every goalscoring record the club has much like Bojan did at youth levels.

1) Sergio Aguero

Current Club: Athletico Madrid

Nationality: Argentina

Age: 20

Position: Striker

Player Comparisons: Romario

Seen along with Lionel Messi, the future of Argentinian football. Moving to Athletico Madrid was seen as a massive coup for the club due to the European teams being interested as well. He came to the club with a big reputation and it took him a year to settle in at Madrid where he could show glimpses of his true talent. It was in his second year where he unleashed his full talent terrorising defences everywhere in Spain becoming the La Liga player of the year. Joining Lionel Messi to become the youngest winner of the award in history. Bigger things are expected of him next season as the club are in the Champions League where he can have the perfect stage to demonstrate his talent to the world.

The question however remains as to how many of these players will live up to there potential. It is impossible to answer.

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Who will win the World Cup?

With just under a week to go before Brazil Take on Croatia in the first Game of the 2014 World Cup on home soil the pundits are beginning to refine their predictions of possible winners.

According to the bookies it looks like this: Brazil 3/1 Argentina 5/1 Germany 6/1 Spain 13/2.

The tournament has been held 19 times, but only won by 8 nations so considering former winners seems sensible.

Lets take a look at the top three and also a possible outside chance.

Brazil

No team has a better World Cup record than Brazil having played in all 19 tournaments winning it on five occasions. However they are only ranked 4th in the World by FIFA. On the down side people are pointing to the lack of competitive football for Felipe Scolari’s squad as they did not have to qualify being the hosts. Others fear that the weight of expectation on the team from home supporters may prove to much at a vital moment.

On the plus side in Neymar they have a world class striker supported by the classy Robinho and the speed of Dani Alves. Goal Keeper Julio Cesar brings confidence and organisation to the defence

Verdict: Brazil will go close as normal, but I think others have more complete teams.

Argentina

Manager Alejandro Sabella’s side are trying to win the tournament for the third time. They have competed in the finals fifteen times and are ranked 7th by FIFA. They were top scorers in the qualifying competition and only Columbia conceded less goals. Their strength lies in scoring goals and in Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria they have a range of options. Many say that Messi has found it difficult to reproduce his Barcelona form when playing for his country.

Verdict: When it gets to the big games having the ability to score goals in a knockout competition is always going to give a team an advantage. Messi has to get it right in this competition sooner or later. I have opted for Argentina

Germany

Germany have appeared in 17 tournaments winning 3 times and are ranked second in the World by FIFA. They were unbeaten in the qualifying competition winning 9 out of 10 games and scoring 36 goals, more than any other side.

On the plus side Germany have a good mixture of youth and maturity with defenders such as Philip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger having over 100 caps each blended with the passing skills of Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil and the striking power of the 2010 World Cup Young Player of the Tournament Thomas Muller. Add a world class goal keeper in the form of Manuel Neuer and they seem to have an excellent chance.

On the down side even coach Joachim Low admits there is still work to do particularly in defence. Drawing with Sweden 4-4 on home soil when they were leading 4-0 suggests they may be prone to lapses in concentration. Also no European country has won when the competition has been held in South America.

Verdict: I think they have a really good chance but I think it will go to a South American Team.

Chile: An outside chance.

Chile have competed in 8 World Cup finals and are ranked 13th in the World by FIFA. Their qualifying competition got off to a flying start beating Bolivia and Venezuela away from home but three straight defeats saw Argentinian coach Claudio Borghi replaced by fellow countryman Jorge Sampoli. After losing his first game in charge he won the next 5 and drew the remaining game. Their attacking style of play is reflected in the facts that only Argentina scored more goals in qualifying. However Chile also conceded more goals than any other team and only drew one game.

There are some familiar players from European football With Alexi Sanchez from Barcelona, Eduardo Vargas from Valencia and Arturo Vidal from Juventus. Wigan fans may recognise midfielder Jean Beausejour.

Verdict: They may not win but they will be exciting to watch.

Hang on What about Spain?

They have appeared in 13 of the tournaments are the current holders as well as being European Champions and are top ranked by FIFA.

My reason for opposing them is their low goal count. They only scored 14 in qualifying the 25th lowest total. Yes they can keep possession but in a knock out competition played in South America I think they will have to tell Del Bosque he will have to hand back the trophy.

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Brazil 1950 Brazil 1 – Uruguay 2

This was the final of the 1950 tournament with Brazil on home ground. Under the rules of the time points totals were used to determine the result not just the winner of a game and Brazil just needed to draw to win the trophy. 200,000 people crowded into the Estadio do Maracana. Brazil took the lead early in the second half, but Uruguay equalized and then with 20 minutes to go Alcides Ghiggia scored the winner silencing the packed stadium.

W. Germany 1974 W Germany 0 – East Germany 1

This game was played in Hamburg at the height of the cold war. It was the last group match and both teams knew they would progress to the next round. Only 1500 East Germans had been allowed to travel to the game out of a total crowd of 60,000.The first half was very tight with neither team having many chances but in the second half Juegen Sparwasser found space between defenders to chip the ball over the head of keeper Sepp Maier. E Germany finished in top spot and went on to face Brazil and The Netherlands. West Germany had much easier opponents and went on the win the tournament beating the Netherlands in the final.

Spain 1982 Spain 0 -Northern Ireland 1

No one gave Northern Ireland a chance when they met Spain on home soil. However early in the second half Gerry Armstrong shocked the crowd with the only goal of the game. Northern Ireland had to play the final 30 minutes with 10 men when Mal Donaghy was sent off. Northern Ireland managed to reach the quarter finals.

Italy 1990 Cameroon 1 – Argentina 0

This was the opening game of the 1990 tournament played at the San Siro. Argentina were defending champions. The first half was relatively uneventful but on 61 minutes Cameroon went down to 10 men after Andre Kama Biyek was sent off for a foul on Claudio Caniggia. But just 5 minutes later Cameroon scored the winner when Francois Omam Biyek headed into the net. Nery Pumpido the Argentinian keeper fumbled the save. Cameroon then went down to 9 players following another red card but hung on for a memorable victory.

France 1998 Croatia 3 – Germany 0

Croatia had only become an independent nation in 1990 and this was their first time at the finals. Germany had beaten them 2-1 in the 1996 Euro semi finals. Germany had been in control of the game up to the 40th minute but then defender Christian Woerns was sent off for a late tackle on Davor Sukor. Croatia scored 8 minutes later through Robert Jarni. Germany fought hard for 35 minutes of the second half but 2 goals in 5 minutes firstly by Goran Vlaovic in 80 minutes and then Davor Sukor on 85 minutes saw Croatia through to the last 4. It was the heaviest German World Cup defeat since they lost 8-3 to Hungary in 1954.

USA 1994 Bulgaria 2 – Germany 1

Bulgaria had qualified for the tournament by beating France 2-1 in Paris coming back from 1-0 down. This was a quarter final and Germany were strong favourites playing as a unified country for the first time. Lothar Matthaus scored from a penalty in the 48th minute. However in the 75th minute Hristo Stoitchkov was brought down. Taking the free kick himself he levelled the score. Just 3 minutes later Yordon Letchkov scored to give Bulgaria the win. It was a game strewn with yellow cards, Germany receiving 5 and Bulgaria 3.

South Korea and Japan 2002 Senegal 1 – France 0

France were the reigning champions and this was opening match of the group stage. It was Pape Bouba Diop who scored for Senegal after 30 minutes. France or the French coach Roger Lemarre could offer no response and France were the first defending champions to go out in the group stage. France finished bottom of the group, their worst ever performance and Senegal progressed to the next round.

South Korea and Japan 2002 Italy 1 S Korea 2 (AET)

Coached by Dutchman Gus Hiddink South Korea adopted a 3-4-3 formation and pressed Italian defenders relentlessly. They were awarded a penalty after just 4 minutes but it was saved by Buffon. Italy took the lead through a Vieri header midway through the first half. They also had another goal disallowed which on further viewing seems to have been OK. In the second half South Korea kept finding space and in the 88th minute equalized through Seol Ki Hyeon. It went to extra time where the first or "Golden Goal" would decide the tie. It looked like heading to penalties when Ahn Jung Hwan scored in the 117th minute. He played club football for Perugia and Serie A whose owner sacked him for his efforts.

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