The Magic of Magico

I’ve been grounded in full flow too many times by the question; ‘Who is the greatest player ever to have lived?’ Having done some research and watched the video listed below I am no longer flummoxed. One man won the acclaim Diego Maradona in such a profound manner the great Argentine admitted that he was a better play than either Pele or himself. This man never played for a big club or won big trophies. Nor was he from one of the world’s great footballing nations. On the contrary it is the Central American country El Salvador which produced the world’s most entertaining, enigmatic and truly unique of all talents. In El Salvador’s humiliating World Cup campaign of 1982 despite losing every game including one 10-1 loss against Hungary, their number 11 somehow made the team of the tournament among the likes of Zico and Rummenigge.

Jorge Gonzalez became known as Magico during his time at Cadiz, a second string Spanish side for a very good reason. The man was truly and simply a magician with a football. The greats have emulated Magico left, right and centre since his retirement without even knowing he had influenced them. If you thought Henry was the leading light of cutting in from the left, opening up and passing the ball in with his right, think again! If you’d never seen the Rooney chip with no backlift whatsoever – Magico used to score free kicks like that if the keeper was a yard or so off his line! Ever seen the famous ‘Elastico’ faint most notably used by Ronaldinho in a Nike advert some years ago? Magico invented it!

Unfortunately there is a reason why Jorge Gonzalez never got his chance to show the world what a special talent he was alongside team mates who would have complimented his insane skills. If you thought George Best and Paul Gascoigne were prime examples of footballer’s with a lack of social discipline and drink problems – again Magico gives them both a good run for their money. Being from El Salvador when Magico got his move to Spain he had never seen anything quite like it. He had been given a sniff of foreign night life in Mexico during his nation’s world cup campaign and his behaviour there had warned off interest from Barcelona or Real for the enigma’s services. Whilst Athletico Madrid competed desperately, he plumped for Cadiz where he would proceed to seduce as many women as he scored goals, and go out a hell of a lot more than he ever trained.

It is one of the accepted opinions among many footballers including the likes of Pele and Diego that had Magico been Argentine or Brazilian he would have been the undisputed best. The life of a footballer unfortunately overwhelmed Magico a little more than even he could overwhelm us with his skills. However much he lost his way, and however much he wasted his talent – he gave it a bloody good go. Watch this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMemVOhSLRw

The Duel

Arguably the most competitive league in the world has lived up to expectation in the first five rounds of the calendar. However the war of words between fellow managers regarding hard tackles and gamesmanship has stolen the limelight from some of the great football that has already been played and numerous magnificent goals. Two schools have developed in the English game. The Arsene Wenger way which defines football as an exhibition of talent in which the game is as much about entertainment as competition and the job of the referee is to protect those players who provide us with the highest quality show. In the other corner we have the Sam Allardyce theory which advocates a more rough and ready approach to the game. A culture of working with what you have and seeking level ground with rich, star studied opponents by means of hard work and determination.

Recently a strange phenomenon has occurred regarding the club closest to my heart. Wolves have received praise for the last three seasons now for playing attractive football and priding themselves on a squad consisting of young, hungry and mainly British players who have at times punched above their weight. However on 28th August 2010 I witnessed the fixture which appears to have tarnished McCarthy’s Wolves’ reputation in a mere ninety minutes in a game against Newcastle which I can only describe as total war. The game resulted in no less than twelve yellow cards being brandished and most notably was the midfield duel between Karl Henry and Joey Barton which various media sources enjoyed highlighting as an example of good old fashioned football at its finest. Henry was since involved in an incident with Fulham’s Bobby Zamora which resulted in the England international falling terribly on his ankle, sidelining him until February 2011 at least. Although pundits have dismissed any malice in Henry’s tackle it would appear certain newspaper’s particularly London based sources are hinting at the skipper’s role in Zamora’s injury. A notable example is the quote ‘Bobby Zamora was carried off in agony following a crunching challenge by Wolves captain Karl Henry.’ Whilst Henry may well have tried his luck at provoking the controversial Joey Barton on his own patch – he won the ball in the challenge with Zamora and was distraught to see him go down the way he did.

It appears to be a trend in football in recent times that every week we see horrific injuries resulting from fairly routine challenges. One of our focal points Arsene Wenger has suffered the loss of players such as Eduardo, Diaby and Ramsey to long term injuries and made no bones about blaming their misfortune on the recklessness of his opponents. Allardyce on the other side of the coin has accused Wenger of insighting fear towards referees who are chosen to handle games involving sides such as Arsenal as if the Frenchman’s words burden them with a moral responsibility to the safety of his player’s welfare which is not really fair.

The question is, who is right and who is wrong? I think we can see both sides of the coin. Nobody wants to see promising young players injured for long periods of time and face career threatening fractures at the hands of reckless challenges. He may dislike it but Wenger’s men can mix it up themselves as I witnessed myself at Molineux last year. Aaron Ramsey and Abou Diaby both came close themselves to injuring Wolves’ players with two footed tackles which went unpunished by the media or the referee, the most shocking of which ironically on Karl Henry himself. Football is still a contact sport and in order to compete one must sometimes be physical which of course has its dangers. It is the referee’s duty for sure that he ensures dangerous challenges are suitably punished so as to ensure all 22 players on the pitch are protected by consistent rules. Despite this, it is our duty as fans to ensure that we do not slip into an environment where a player is vilified for winning the ball.

Prem Players to watch

A week and a half away from the start of the season; let us speculate.

Theo Walcott (Arsenal)

We obviously all know who this young winger is but his campaign last year was one he'd rather forget. Theo scored only 4 goals in all competitions and injury setbacks saw him struggle to hold down a run in Arsene Wenger's first XI. Despite this we could well see the young Gunner prove his worth this season especially with the added motivation of proving to fans around the country why he shouldn't have stayed at home this summer. With his electrifying pace and direct style Walcott may also be key to adding some much needed variety to Arsenal's stylish but often unpenetrative attack.

Javier Hernandez (Man United)

I must confess that before this transfer and the World Cup Javier had slipped through my usually sad, watchful eye on world football! A lot of noise has come from Old Trafford about this lad's potential not least from the legendary Bobby Charlton. If Sir Bobby says a player is two footed, he's two footed - becaused he didn't know the meaning of the phrase 'weak foot' during his playing days. With 9 goals in 16 international appearances at the age of 22. This sharp looking poacher could well be what United need to be bringing off the bench or indeed starting with Wayne Rooney in their challenge to Chelsea's Premier League title.

Steven Fletcher (Wolves)

We're at the lower end of the scale here but one player who surprised many last year was Burnley's Steven Fletcher who in a relegated side notched up 12 goals in all competitions. The mobile forward will be pairing with the exciting Kevin Doyle who himself is a star in the making and approaching his peak should he be angling for a big money move. In what I would like to think was a slightly more creative side than The Clarets the Shrewsbury born Scotsman could turn a few heads should he score the goals that the Molineux faithful saw very little of last season in their successful survivial campaign.

Graham Dorrans (West Brom)

The PFA Championship Player of the Year last year will bid to make the step up and lead Albion to survivial in the Premiership after bouncing back convincingly after relegation in 2009. He scored 13 goals for the Baggies last year and is noted for being a set piece specialist and a composed figure in their otherwise strong midfield. Dorrans is one of a couple exciting young midfielders in this side with Christ Brunt and James Morrison alongside him. What Albion lack is a man to put the ball in the net and make the most of the good service they provide. Without that, Dorrans may still find it difficult to be noticed at the top level.

Jerome Boateng (Man City)

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that the German international will be the pick of Man City's summer signings despite the millions they have spent and will spend. The modern defender will sustain City's defence due to his ability to cope with the physical side of the Premier League and being born and raised in Germany will pay its dividends when it comes to meeting with the standard of composure and footballing competence required. Mancini wasted no time in snapping up the former Hamburg defender who can play confidently at full back or centre half. Ironically Boateng could be compared with City's own Micah Richards - the advantage he has over Micah is his ability to play regularly without the plague of injury.

Revolution or Reprisal?

In Roy Hodgson Liverpool have employed their first British boss since Roy Evans departed Anfiled in 1998 and opinions on his appointment are inevitably varied. It appears to potentially mark a step backwards in terms of the club's ongoing treasure hunt and a decision based on business rather than ambition. Despite these claims there are reasons for Reds to be optimistic regarding Roy's reign and if his early movement in the transfer market states anything; its ambition.

The immediate sales of Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio plus the lack of zeal to fend off any moves for Javier Mascherano indicate Hodgson's will to change. It is likely that the so called 'Spanish Armada' assembled by predecessor Rafael Benitez will be dismantled further as old favourites such as Lucas (Brazilian) and Insua (Argentinian) may fall out of favour. The signing of Joe Cole and near-signing of Luke Young also define a particular transfer policy from Hodgson as well as meaning Liverpool should have no problems with the new regulations regarding the home-grown players, etc. Ambition does not always have to involve a £150m bank loan.

Whilst I believe Hodgson's mission statement may well be to stabilise the clubs financial future by slashing the wage bill and signing youth he won't last five minutes at Anfield unless he teases the fans with the prospect of silverware. With that said the former Internazionale boss dragged a Fulham side built on a shoe string to the UEFA Cup final last year and Liverpool's European record is of course second to none. The 4th spot is vital for the Reds not least for the pomp of the Champions League but also the money.

Gillette and Hicks deflected the negative attention from Benitez last season and purist scousers don't lie down to easily. Hodgson isn't a youthful maverick these days but he may well be the man Reds will reel around to end the reign of the American tyrants. His matter of fact attitude may just be what the internal politics are missing since the absence of former assistant-manager Phil Thompson. In Liverpool's post-modernist age it may be time to embrace their English roots once more rather than rebel against them and 'Keep Things Scouse'.

The impact of a new manager can be profound and we have seen time and time again different bosses getting different results with the same personnel. At Fulham Hodgson  managed to coax stable runs of form out of players typically ravaged by injury such as Damien Duff and Simon Davies. People conveniently forget that Liverpool's dangerman spent large periods of last year sat in the stands and whilst he appears set to start the new season in them; Roy's apparent healing touch could hand Liverpool a lifeline in one of Europe's most prolific marksmen.

Roy brings little in romance but much in experience. Whether statues of him are going to be erected of him opposite the Shankly Gates I'm not sure. However in a footballing recession when your business is bust a steady head is indespensible. As far as I'm concerned what Hodgson as inherited are the ashes of a great phoenix. Time will tell what rises from them. 

They came, they saw, they conquered...

Despite the hype (which I began) regarding the South American dominance of the earlier knockout stages in SA 2010 it was their original ancestral counterparts who passed, defended and shot their way to victory as the Spanish took over Johannesburg with a fine Andres Iniesta strike in the dying minutes of extra time. Spain were worthy winners and have become the second side in history after France to have won the European Championships and World Cup in successive years. It was the same story in so far as their defence led by Carles Puyol remained solid conceding but two goals in their 7 game campaign, their hotshot striker David Villa emerged as one of the leading scorers again and their midfield miracle of Iniesta and Xavi proved again to be the most potent threat in world football. To think that Puyol, Pique, Xavi, and Iniesta have since 2008 won a European Championship, a Champions League, 2 Spanish titles and now the World Cup is quite remarkable. How is adding Villa to that particular equation fair?

On the topic of fairness there has been and will be much talk of Howard Webb's performance. To be honest and controversial, the man didn't do a great deal wrong. Whilst Holland's smash mouth style in the first half left little to be desired the tackling was in the majority late, clumsy and reckless as opposed to dangerous, synical or dirty. Van Bommel could certainly have gone for a second yellow well before Heitinga eventually did but let me raise a familiar point to this little blog of mine. What do the so called experts of Premier League Football say every week about Howard's decisions on such challenges every on Match of the Day or Sky Sports when they are commited by players at big clubs such as De Jong (Man City) and Heitinga (Everton)? It certainly isn't "he should be sent off Martin" when a top four player kicks one of the Steven Fletcher's of this world in the head whilst attempting to fish the ball out of a satelite orbit. Quite the contrary in face. Its passionate, desire-ridden, gutsy, brave and a tad clumsy, merely accidental, just a warning - good decision referee. So let's not all jump on our high horses and condem an exciting counter attacking side with some great and tenacious attacking players for a few rough tackles on the best midfield I've seen since Madrid's Galacticos in 2003.  Holland were second best to a worthy champion and Webb did exactly what he was praised highly for by pundits for doing in the League Cup final be allowing Nemanja Vidic's professional foul of Gabi Agbonlahor to be punished only by a penalty kick - not ruining the game / using the rules. Whatever the weather and whatever your opinion some consistency in feedback would be just lovely thank you Mr. BBC.

So are Spain 2008-10 as good as France 1998-2000? That's a bit of a non brainer I guess. Their goalkeepers less temporamental yet less of an enigma that Mr. Barthez. Whilst Puyol and Pique looks a far cry from Blanc and Desailly they conceded the same amount of World Cup goals and neither are set to retire anytime soon. However on the flipside of the coin were they to retire through injury or turn rubbish overnight - Spain don't have Lilian Thuram to step into their big boots although Raul Albiol has indeed enjoyed a decent year with Madrid and is learning his trade at the Bernebau quickly.
The midfield maestro of Xavi and Iniesta backed up by Alonso and Busquets is so dissimilar to France's engine room of Vieira and Petit really its untrue. The impeccable Zidane of course was the Golden Boy of the FFF and whether Xavi is quite capable of that greatness is up for debate. I'm very biased towards Zizu - to me the man's God and Xavi might just be one of his many angels. Either way their both cracking players.

The youth of Pedro on the wing reminds me starkly of a young Robert Pires in some fairly subtle ways despite their physcial and stylistic contrast. Robert was a deceitfully physcial player who was by no means afraid to get stuck in and Pedro is like a bulldog when he's not in possession of the ball himself. What Spain do have over France veterans is a hotshot striker with consistency in David Villa - a title which internationally can't be given to the great French club marksmen of this period: Henry, Trezeguet and Anelka.
For me Spain have the potential to win another Euro title in 2012 and surpass this generation of French dynasty rather than crash out of their next major tournament as France did in 2002. Although with youth still just about on their side this may make them a little better - I will stand by my previous posts rather than jump on the Iniesta bandwagon. Whatever happens differently to the French 2002 campain for Spain in 2012 - not one of this side will be carrying them to a final off his own back 8 years 6 years later in 2016 in a tiring encore for the nations last surge of greatness. Xavi and Iniesta are the best midfield pair in the world today and could dominate for a few more years to come. But whilst in 2006 Zidane was vintage, I fear that Xavi may well be an antique. Whilst Iniesta is his natural sidekick, Fabregas is his natural understudy. However there is a clear reluctance to break away from the Madrid-Barca dominance in the Spanish selection process which is of course understandable. Villa the only real exception other than Capedevilla with Torres, Silva and Cesc all playing little football this time around it may well be necessary for Wenger's prodigy to return to Catalonia should he ever want the chance to prove his genius on a national stage. From what I saw of the lad this season live from the Molineux - he still isn't Zidane, but he's got the talent to be his own player, his own man, play for his own team and maybe, just maybe, win his own World Cup.

Don't go Diego.

As an Englishman and a cold blooded football fan I will never forgive Diego Armando Maradona for his blatant trespass of the rules of the game against England in 1986. We're not guilty of complete twisted bitterness about it - after all most people in this country are happy to admit that his second goal that day was the best of all time and tangible evidence that he was the best in the world and probably the best ever seen. So whatever your feelings towards Diego its safe to say that many would agree that the man has been a breath of fresh air in the dull breeze of South Africa 2010. Whether he's snogging his players whilst celebrating a goal or making the sign of the cross 8 times after every kick there's a fire still about Maradona and we should consider why that is, and could it possibly lead to him actually becoming a top manager?

Not only was Diego possibly the greatest player to have lived but he might well just owe more to the game he's dedicated his life to that any other to play it as well. Gary Lineker commented on a 'Dream Team' video before France '98 that Diego's career was 'as if the Gods were toying with him' and I think that's a great summary of his life. The so called 'hand of God' came at the pinnacle of Maradona's career as he had led what many perceive to be a fairly mediocre Argentina side to World Cup victory. He was currently playing for Napoli where he had somewhat perfected the art of single handedly winning titles with average team mates having racked up a couple of cups with Barcelona a few years before in 1983. At this time Maradona was amazing. Despite the addiction to cocaine he had developed at Barca his powerful dribbling ability and magical ball control set the world alight - not to mention his lethal left foot. Diego was only ever happy when he was playing. Some players see football as a job but for Maradona it was his career, social life and home all rolled into one. For the Argentine genius the most difficult job of all was dealing with life outside of football which he has never ever managed to do.

I can't help but think that having Maradona around the likes of Lionel Messi can only be a good thing. The 22 year old wonderkid has been compared to the man so many times that its nice to see a close relationship has ensued and Maradona has relished the opportunity to nurture his protege. He advised Messi to find ways of handling what he described as 'loneliness' off the pitch which is a remarkable word for one to use who can not escape the limelight no matter how hard he tries. Its as if off the pitch Maradona acknowledges no true friendship but on it he sees his team mates as a family which is quite extraordinary.

After repeating the feat of carrying his side to the final in 1990 except this time losing out to West Germany in the final Maradona began to fade. He left for Sevilla in '91 where his drug and depression issues began to reach new heights prompting a return to Argentina first to Newell's Old Boys and eventually his beloved Boca Juniors. Due to a 15 month ban after the 1990 World Cup and a whole host of personal problems Diego had barely played football by the time the 1994 World Cup came around in the USA but at the age of 34 his reputation gained him a place in the squad which he repaid famously with a fantastic strike against Greece before the infamous 'eye popping' celebration which was later confirmed to be a result of ephedrine doping meaning a heartbroken Maradona was sent home after only 2 games.

Until 2007 Maradona was a wreck. His former team mate Jorge Valdano descibed his life as 'a personal ordeal which should not be imitated' hence Diego's plea to Messi not to let his rise to stardom and inevitable strain on his personal life affect his mental well being. Being made Argentina manager in December 2008 has rejuventated Maradona. His acceptance back into the fold of football if you will has galvanised his charisma and personality turning the show of his life once again into a comedy thriller rather than a romantic tragedy. His relationship with his players and passion for the game is almost that of a fan being given the chance to run his beloved team - leading us to forget sometimes who the fat dwarf waddling up and down the touchline occasionally skilfully flicking the ball into someones hands really is. Given his religious routes Maradona probably does believe that he's become God's toy. I think I believe it to. Blessed with a talent which has allowed him to be revered by all who have ever seen him play - and cursed with a disposition and dependence on the game he has changed forever that will mean football is the life and death of him.

So for his own sake I hope he keeps his job and achieves the success he once again strives in some way with Argentina. Next year's Copa America would be great I don't want the little bastard ruining another World Cup for England in 2014 we're perfectly capable of messing it up ourselves thanks Diego. But in all seriousness as long as Maradona gets his football fix he might just be okay. As soon as its taken away I fear probably the greatest footballer and definitely the biggest football fanatic ever to have lived will once again run into personal problems. However when all is said and done he will still pick Jonas Guttierez, so I do fear slightly for his role as an international coach!

The Boys in Orange come good

I'd first of all like to tender an apology to Bert Marwijk and his band of merry men for not even laying into them during my blog on 'A Continental Revolution', which I would also like to point out was definitely plagarised by our very own BBC who have all of a sudden a fortnight after my blog decided 2010 is all about South American sides. Well, sorry BBC but you're a little late because that ground has already been covered - although on-cue 3/6 of the South American aces are out including Brazil. Despite my call of Paraguay being god awful the others were correct!

Now to Holland, as if they haven't received too little attention in this blog already as it is. During the third group game I commented that Wesley Sneijder, driving force of Inter Milan's surge to the European Cup title this season had been the best player in the tournament so far this year. I still stand by this particularly after his most instrumental role in a gutsy win over Brazil who in all honesty have paid the price for their negative tactics. Sneijder's tantalising left foot delivery found a weakness in Brazil's until now impregnable defence named Felipe Melo who was later sent off for a stamp on Arjen Robben, and the same Sneijder struck the final blow with an instictive header after some untypically poor defending from a set piece.

The Netherlands in so many ways are similar to the Argentinians in as much as their side breaks down as a fairly worrying defence, a solid midfield and a lethal attack. With this comparison in mind you do unfortunately although I don't necessarily like to do so have to compare the two linchpins of these sides - Messi and Sneijder. Thankfully the total contrast in styles mean we can have fun picking apart just how different these two sides really are. Sneijder's injury problems, typical of Holland's side taking into consideration the likes of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie mean he has a deceitful experience having played 66 times for his country and played for Ajax, Real and Inter throughout an already impressive career. This shines through in his play with his simple ball every time attitude only being overridden by his abilty to pull of incredible passes which act as the stem for many of the Dutch counter attacks - finding the pace of van Persie, Robben and Kuyt in attack.
Messi marks the Argentinian contrast of raw talent and sheer passion. Whilst the Dutch are unquestionably determined as marked by Nigel de Jong's overdue suspension for the semi final and Mark van Bommel only being allowed to play due to some incompetent Japanse refereeing - Messi sums his side up. A nation being led by a cult hero, a defence reliant on last ditch tackles and mindless thuggery, an attack formed around the dogged running of Tevez / Aguero and the cool as ice instincts of Gonzalo Higuain / Diego Milto. Amidst the masquerade one man stands alone. A 23 year old kid reared from the age of 11 to overcome growth hormone deficiency and become the best player in the world, who still appears to play every game like the best player on the playground trying to impress the girl of his dreams.
I haven't turned my back on myself yet though. Uruguay have a strong chance despite the loss of Luis Suarez, a man who would have struck fear into the hearts of Holland's unimpressive defence after his 50 goal season in the Eredivise. Diego Forlan has every much of an impace as either Messi or Sneijder for Holland and the man appears to just come up with the goods when called upon - something that Messi and Sneijder in all fairness can both do themselves.
For me Spain's chemistry may let them down.. No one player appears to be forming the bedrock of the Spanish side and David Villa may lose out due to this lack of constant service from a genius behind him. Even Germany's strikers are being blessed with the assistance of a Turkish-German with all the invention of Yildiray Basturk and the dynamic intention of Anders Moller. Mesut Ozil has taken the World Cup by storm at the age of 21 but lacks the physical presence of any of the above mentioned. I fear as a playmaker he also lacks the unique selling points of Forlan's  clinical set piece taking, Sneijder's bullish yet ingenious creativity and Messi's sheer ability to seeminly be able to unlock whatever he wants whenever he wants. I've discounted Paraguay again haven't I? Well I'm sticking to my guns they've had a good run but a lucky one and Spain will beat them - but the winner will face Germany or Argentina.

Predictions assuming Spain do beat Paraguay.

Quarter Final

Germany v Argentina -- Tense affair which may favour the Germans at first but as the game opens up and mistakes creep in Messi will influence the game more and more. However well Schweinstieger has done from his holding role the man cannot and will not stop the Catalonian wonderkid.

Semi Finals

Holland v Uruguay -- A deceiftully tense affair which will explode into extra time. Sneijder will struggle to shake off the attention of Perez and Pereira whilst Uruguay will pose less threat without the pace of Suarez. In extra time Uruguay owe their precious Catholic God a favour or two after their victory over Ghana. Its going to be a scrappy but deserved winner for the Dutch before penalties.

Spain v Argentina

Messi will come face to face with his Barcelona team mates particularly the defenders he must torment day in day out in training. Its an opportunity for Barca's Spanish spine to prove to the world that they could survive without Messi. Its Messi's opportunity to prove that he is Mr. Barcelona and that it is time for Xavi and Puyol to bow to his talent like the 90,000 Camp Nou faithful. I think the occasion may catch the young man out and teamwork will prevail over individuality despite all I've said. Spain to win through control of the midfield, an off day for Messi and a mismatch of Villa / Torres vs Argentina's hazy defence.