A decade of fallen heroes- For love nor money

2000-2010 has provided us with some of the greatest footballing talent the world has ever seen. But what has happened to honest professional who is revelled in for his human nature as well as his footballing talent? Why is that in our age of mass media where sportsmen are revered as role models that every hero appears to be in someway tainted? Let's take a look at the greats of our decade who have suffered from the 'Maradonna syndrome' and decide whether we are to 'forgive' or 'forget' them.

Gareth Barry

At the age of 16 Aston Villa paid Brighton & Hove Albion £2.5million for the young left footed prodigy by the name of Gareth Barry. His talents as a defensive playmaker were not discovered until slightly later in his 12 year stint at Villa Park and for a brief period he was in danger of  becoming a dogs body utility player due to the unstable nature of John Gregory and David O'Leary's squads. His ability to feature at left back or even as a left winger prevented him from showcasing his range of passing and classy touch in Villa's engine room until O'Leary finally began playing him regularly in a dynamic centre midfield duo in which he struck an effective partnership with Gavin McCann in 2003-04. Five years later Barry became one of the most valued midfielders in Europe and his guidance of Martin O'Neil's fledgling, young side filled with potential starlets such as Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor - attracted the attention of Rafa Benitez who loomed over the Villa captain as his long term replacement to Xabi Alonso who would later make his own big money move to Real Madrid.
The partnership of O'Neill and Lerner won the hearts of many football lovers as they refused to be bullied into selling their talismanic midfielder for what they saw as a cheap price to a Liverpool set up who have now become the midlands clubs rivals for the top 4 spots. Barry responded slowly in the 2008-09 season before turning the screw on Villa's authentic challenge to breaking the top 4 Premiership dynasty of Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Although Villa would eventually drop off and let their small squad size haunt them at the business end of the season, the team that Barry led marked what many wanted to be the beginning of a power shift in English football.
His leadership of O'Neill's young British side pathed his way into the plans of Fabio Capello's World Cup qualification campaign after England's humiliating failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Since the turn of the century Barry has won 35 caps for England and his presence has ended the famous 'Lampard-Gerrard' debate as he has very much made the number 4 shirt his own with a series of collected performances for his country.

Barry's fall from grace arrived with his fairly sudden exit from Villa Park for a big money contract at Eastlands becoming one of Mark Hughes' first summer signings with his unlimited cheque book. Despite being one of Villa highest paid players with a view to an improved contract - it is understandable for the Holte Enders to feel aggreaved at what one would say was a lateral move in terms of club stature. Barry's comments that City were 'going in the direction' he wanted to go in implied that his former club were not, despite the fact they had finished 22 points and 6 places above Mark Hughes' moneybags outfit.

Forgive or Forget?

Barry can pretend all he likes that his move was inspired by wanting to further his England opportunities or the potential of European football at the highest tier. At the end of the day his opportunity of a move to Liverpool back in 2008 would have provided this for him. Add Barry to the current Villa side and for me you have a team more than capable of pouncing on the floundering fortunes of Liverpool and securing a top 4 spot. Villa still lie ahead of City in the Premiership standings and have strengthened their squad with some intelligent dealings in the summer - unlike City's chaotic spending spree with has led to Hughes being sacked. With a side you would imagine was close to Gareth's heart finally looking as if they could fulfill potential; his plane ticket for South Africa already booked, and more money in the bank than any other player in the Midlands there was no need for Barry to move. For these reasons my verdict is to Forget him.