I dislike Alexi Lalas, but I've found him entertaining. He has outdone himself this time by claiming that the English Premier League is an inferior product. Yes, the MLS is more competitive that the EPL but obviously it would not be able to compete against the EPL on the pitch and off it.
I appreciate the fact that he is standing up for the MLS, but he has just made a fool of himself. I'm assuming that he got fed up with English media constantly bad-mouthing Major League Soccer but claiming that MLS players are on par with the EPL's is a bit much. He must have overlooked that Juan Pablo Angel, an average striker for Aston Villa in the Prem, is the most deadly in the MLS. Or that he claimed "Abel Xavier brings immense experience to the Galaxy" after he did not figure much for Middlesborough and was eventually released on a free. Or that MLS superstars such as Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard end up with mid-table clubs
in England. Or that Freddy Adu, whose shoulders used to burden the hype of being the saviour of the MLS, was deemed not good enough when he was on trial with Manchester United.
He also claimed that the US is not that far off compared to England. That is almost like saying Landon Donovan is not that far off from Steven Gerrard. Landon who couldn't get a regular spot in Bayer Leverkusen and gave up to come back to the US. Last I checked, Americans playing in the Championship are ahead on the pecking order when it comes to US Mens National Team players selection.
Ever since the signing of David Beckham, Lalas has been in the spotlight. The anticipation for Golden Balls' arrival has increased his media exposure. I am not sure if his antics are a marketing ploy or is he just loving the attention of being the Don King of the MLS? Somebody rein him in, please! Tim Leiweke? Don Garber?
He has just re-affirmed the assumption of most people that football and Americans do not mix well. He should apologize ... not to the British media, but to us. He has defamed not only the MLS and US Soccer, but all soccer loving Americans.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
Thierry To Go?
The silly season has been frustrating for most Arsenal supporters. There are three unresolved issues in the Gunners' camp. The inactivity in the transfer market, delays in replacing David Dein, and the endless talk of Thierry Henry packing up for Spain. These three issues could all be tied up ... Thierry Henry has mentioned his disdain for Dein's departure fueling speculation that he might be headed for Nou Camp which is why Arsene Wenger has not made any moves in the transfer market?
Henry has been ambiguous with his future, refusing to fully commit to Arsenal. Even after threatening to sue France Football for slander, there are reports that Wenger has met with FC Barcelona officials.
Contrary to popular belief, I reckon Arsenal SHOULD sell him to Barcelona now. His recent actions are unbecoming of a captain creating unrest among the other players (and fans). These are signs that he will not be as committed to Arsenal as Dennis Bergkamp was. I just do not see it. His refusal to quell the transfer rumors by simply saying "I AM AND I WILL BE AN ARSENAL PLAYER" is a good sign. He has also shown his "loyalty" traits before. I do not know the whole story, but after Nike made Thierry Henry a global brand and got his Stand Up, Speak Up campaign off the ground, he went off and signed a contract with Reebok. Nike lost him on a pseudo-Bosman and I'm afraid so will Arsenal at the end of his contract.
Why can't he show the same commitment that Gilberto Silva has demonstrated? Now, there is a man deserving of the captain's armband. Or even Freddie Ljungberg who said he would rather retire than play for another club? Although, his wages may have something to do with that.
Henry is a lost cause. He will go to Spain sooner or later, whether to Barcelona or Real Madrid. Might as well be now while he can still fetch that much money.
I do not like the idea of an Henry-less Arsenal, but this seems to be the only way that will benefit the club. Let it be known, that he will not only be a loss to Arsenal but the whole English Premier League. He seems to be well-respected by other EPL players and clubs and he is also a massive marketing component in the post-Beckham EPL. I can not see anybody replacing him as the poster boy for the league. Ronaldo? Drogba? Gerrard? None of them have the same mystique that Henry has. As Henry Winter said before: Thierry Henry is England's most beloved foreigner. He transcends Arsenal.
While the loss of Henry seems to be an enormous one, what could be gained has the potential to be better. The transfer fee might be enough to buy a top tier striker plus a young developing striker. Or it can be used to shore up the defense or the wings as Robin Van Persie is ready to be the featured striker.
Wenger has proven he is a genius when letting go of players. Overmars, Anelka, Petit, Vieira, etc. The Patrick Vieira transfer to Juventus had one hitch, the fee was not even close to what Real Madrid offered for him the year before. I believe that the Professor is keen to avoid the same situation.
The Carling Cup run of the young Gunners have shown that they could be a better side without the captain. The football was flowing better as they were not looking for Henry. We all know about the other Gunners being gun-shy and would rather make another pass than kick it goalwards. The other players look up to him so much that sometimes their presence gets diminished. Without Henry, didn't the future look bright? I hope that future is this coming season
Au Revoir, Henry?
Henry has been ambiguous with his future, refusing to fully commit to Arsenal. Even after threatening to sue France Football for slander, there are reports that Wenger has met with FC Barcelona officials.
Contrary to popular belief, I reckon Arsenal SHOULD sell him to Barcelona now. His recent actions are unbecoming of a captain creating unrest among the other players (and fans). These are signs that he will not be as committed to Arsenal as Dennis Bergkamp was. I just do not see it. His refusal to quell the transfer rumors by simply saying "I AM AND I WILL BE AN ARSENAL PLAYER" is a good sign. He has also shown his "loyalty" traits before. I do not know the whole story, but after Nike made Thierry Henry a global brand and got his Stand Up, Speak Up campaign off the ground, he went off and signed a contract with Reebok. Nike lost him on a pseudo-Bosman and I'm afraid so will Arsenal at the end of his contract.
Why can't he show the same commitment that Gilberto Silva has demonstrated? Now, there is a man deserving of the captain's armband. Or even Freddie Ljungberg who said he would rather retire than play for another club? Although, his wages may have something to do with that.
Henry is a lost cause. He will go to Spain sooner or later, whether to Barcelona or Real Madrid. Might as well be now while he can still fetch that much money.
I do not like the idea of an Henry-less Arsenal, but this seems to be the only way that will benefit the club. Let it be known, that he will not only be a loss to Arsenal but the whole English Premier League. He seems to be well-respected by other EPL players and clubs and he is also a massive marketing component in the post-Beckham EPL. I can not see anybody replacing him as the poster boy for the league. Ronaldo? Drogba? Gerrard? None of them have the same mystique that Henry has. As Henry Winter said before: Thierry Henry is England's most beloved foreigner. He transcends Arsenal.
While the loss of Henry seems to be an enormous one, what could be gained has the potential to be better. The transfer fee might be enough to buy a top tier striker plus a young developing striker. Or it can be used to shore up the defense or the wings as Robin Van Persie is ready to be the featured striker.
Wenger has proven he is a genius when letting go of players. Overmars, Anelka, Petit, Vieira, etc. The Patrick Vieira transfer to Juventus had one hitch, the fee was not even close to what Real Madrid offered for him the year before. I believe that the Professor is keen to avoid the same situation.
The Carling Cup run of the young Gunners have shown that they could be a better side without the captain. The football was flowing better as they were not looking for Henry. We all know about the other Gunners being gun-shy and would rather make another pass than kick it goalwards. The other players look up to him so much that sometimes their presence gets diminished. Without Henry, didn't the future look bright? I hope that future is this coming season
Au Revoir, Henry?
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