The idea of evaluating the top 50 players of the World Cup is a good idea... if it's done right. Unfortunately, it was done wrong. ESPN released earlier this week a list of the top 50 players of the World Cup according to a "panel of 23 contributors". I don't know who ESPN got as their "panel of 23 contributors", but clearly ESPN needs to do a better job of hiring "soccer analysts". Coming from a Soccernet reader, it was embarrassing to read this list but I fought through the pain. I honestly have no idea where to begin but I'll make an attempt at cleaning up this so called "list" and again prove why I should be an ESPN soccer analyst.
Maybe it's when I glanced at #50 on the list and saw Landon Donovan slotted in there. Really? I understand ESPN's attempt to intrigue the uneducated American in football, but believe it or not there are some of us out there that actually know football. No one's denying he has been in form for Everton since making his switch, but he isn't even the best American on Everton, let alone the entire Premier League! How Landon is ahead of Tim Howard or Clint Dempsey I don't know. Where's your loyalty ESPN? Because Dempsey has been injured and hasn't been playing for a month or so you forgot about him? He's been nothing but excellent for Fulham for 4+ years. He's made more than 100 appearances for the Cottagers and he'll be back before this summer. Simply put, you owe the kid an apology.
And what about Alexander Frei of Switzerland? He's proven himself in Germany's top flight with Borussia Dortmund the past three years (scoring 31 goals in 3 seasons), he's Switzerland's all time goal scorer with 40 goals (not to mention his 73 caps), he's already scored 13 goals in just 17 games for club FC Basel this year in the Swiss league, and Switzerland have a realistic chance of finishing 2nd in their group that feature favorites Spain and underdogs Chile and Honduras. He belongs on the list, probably some where in the early forties, but not to be on the list period is a little shocking.
The Netherlands, personally favored to make an exciting run in South Africa, only have three players on the list total. Dirk Kuyt, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Mark Van Bommel, Andre Ooijer, and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst are just a few of the world class Dutch players left off the list. Also, I just don't understand how Rafael Marquez, a world class defender who plays for FC Barcelona and Mexico, did not even make the list.
I wonder if the "panel of 23" have been following football recently seeing as they forgot to mention Rio Ferdinand, now captain of England. The fact that I don't even have to tell you who Rio is and why he belongs on the list tells you how inaccurate ESPN is. And as much as I wish Stevie Gerrard is the 9th best player playing in the World Cup, the truth is he's not. He belongs in the 10-15 range, but for sure not the top ten.
Anyone you think they forgot or miss ranked?
1.13.2010
Liverpool to Sell Naming Rights of New Stadium
With the fresh news that Fernando Torres might leave Anfield in the summer transfer window, it is no surprise that Liverpool Football Club are now looking for a sponsor for their proposed new stadium at Stanley Park. It is no secret that the big clubs are cash-strapped heading into 2010, and Liverpool will look to capitalize on their record breaking home support by fishing around the market for a top buyer.
Naming rights for stadiums has been a controversial topic in England and the rest of Europe, culminating with the demolition of Arsenal's beloved ground, Highbury, in May 2006. Fly Emirates splashed out a record 100 million pounds over 15 years for the naming rights at Arsenal's new stadium, now simply dubbed The Emirates, and Liverpool FC are looking to take advantage of the relatively new opportunity.
Ian Ayre, a spokesman for Liverpool, revealed earlier this week that sponsoring the naming rights at Stanley Park is a very realistic possibility. "Naming rights is now an accepted part of building any new footballing venue in the world. And as one of only a few global football brands, it would be crazy of us not to tap into that opportunity."
With that said, there has been strong opposition to proposed stadium namings in the past. Manchester United was believed to have considered renaming Old Trafford, their home since 1910, but instead opted to expand the stadium to a record seating 76,000 seats. With sell out crowds a near regular occurrence at the Theatre of Dreams, the decision wasn't so tough financially compared to other smaller clubs. Bolton Wanderers, currently sitting in relegation zone in the Premier League, plays its home games at Reebok Stadium, a 25,000 modern all-seater built in '97.
Liverpool will no doubt get more than the 25 million pounds Reebok paid Bolton for naming rights, but in a country where history and elegance is everything, Scousers world wide will feel let down by their club if their new stadium is named Gillette Stadium.
Naming rights for stadiums has been a controversial topic in England and the rest of Europe, culminating with the demolition of Arsenal's beloved ground, Highbury, in May 2006. Fly Emirates splashed out a record 100 million pounds over 15 years for the naming rights at Arsenal's new stadium, now simply dubbed The Emirates, and Liverpool FC are looking to take advantage of the relatively new opportunity.
Ian Ayre, a spokesman for Liverpool, revealed earlier this week that sponsoring the naming rights at Stanley Park is a very realistic possibility. "Naming rights is now an accepted part of building any new footballing venue in the world. And as one of only a few global football brands, it would be crazy of us not to tap into that opportunity."
With that said, there has been strong opposition to proposed stadium namings in the past. Manchester United was believed to have considered renaming Old Trafford, their home since 1910, but instead opted to expand the stadium to a record seating 76,000 seats. With sell out crowds a near regular occurrence at the Theatre of Dreams, the decision wasn't so tough financially compared to other smaller clubs. Bolton Wanderers, currently sitting in relegation zone in the Premier League, plays its home games at Reebok Stadium, a 25,000 modern all-seater built in '97.
Liverpool will no doubt get more than the 25 million pounds Reebok paid Bolton for naming rights, but in a country where history and elegance is everything, Scousers world wide will feel let down by their club if their new stadium is named Gillette Stadium.
11.22.2009
Doin' it the English Way
Not since the 2003-2004 season has a club, other than Everton in 2005, finished a top the "big 4" in the standings in the Barclay's English Premier League. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool have enjoyed Champions League football for far to long without any competition from the teams below them. Thirteen games into 2009-2010 season, it looks as though the talent gap has been breached between the "big 4" and the other clubs playing catch up. Tottenham Hotspur, a club from North London built with predominantly English players, have crashed the party and look to be going only one way: up.
Tottenham, a small London club basking in the shadows of its much bigger, wealthier city neighbors Arsenal and Chelsea, have nurtured a young team full of youth and talent together with veterans to build a team finally able to knock off one of the fat cats a top the league. The Spurs, as their affectionately called by their supporters, sent a clear message to the rest of the league with a 9 -1 drubbing of Wigan over the weekend. In their rout of the Latics, Englishman Jermaine Defoe grabbed a English League record tying five goals to stake his case as a striker for England in the forthcoming World Cup.
To avid watchers of European football, club or international, there is no wonder that Tottenham have stormed into 4th. With youth and talent at an abundance, injuries look to be the only thing likely of slowing this team down. Englishmen Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson lead a very intimidating line of defense, with Ledley King and Kyle Naughton looking to maintain fitness. Midfield and attack is where one can find the core of the Englishmen. With the likes of David Bentley, Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas, and Aaron Lennon available almost on a weekly basis, Manager Harry Redknapp (also English) has a plethora of midfielders to choose from. Up front, Jermaine Defore and lanky-man Peter Crouch form a great 1-2 punch in front of the goal.
As a huge England supporter growing up my whole life I've always respected clubs who have a strong depth of Englishmen on their team, especially in the modern era of English football. Given the fact that most of the Englishmen on Tottenham were not developed in the Spurs youth system, I still credit them for having a core of English in their squad (14 to be precise), something their London rivals Arsenal fail miserably at. For the record, Arsenal only have 3 while Chelsea don't do much better having only 7 Englishmen on the team.
What intrigues me most about watching Tottenham at White Hart Lane is the fact that I'm watching a London club playing with a core of English players, something that is currently hard to come by in the top flight of English football. Tottenham have one of the biggest, if not the biggest, group of English players on their roster in the Premiership. In Saturday's 9-1 thumping of Wigan Athletic, manager Harry Redknapp started six Englishmen, with two more coming off the bench in the second half. Seven of the nine scorers for Tottenham Sunday were English (8 if you count Chris Kirkland's own goal). With the talent on Harry Redknapp's club it's no wonder that the Spurs are due for a long stay at the top of English football (maybe even stealing a title here or there).
While the season is still young, Tottenham find themselves in great position. Sitting pretty in 4th place on 25 pts, and with the leading clubs within reach, White Hart Lane will surely be rocking the next couple of months. Tottenham are within 8 points of leaders Chelsea, 3 points back of United, and tied on points with Arsenal (although -7 on goal difference), and as long as Tottenham remain close till the end, the 3 games against these three clubs in a three week spell in April will surely have massive ramifications. If players remain healthy and in form, White Hart Lane looks to serve as one of the most attractive venues in English football this year.
In a football economy where expensive foreigners are everything, Tottenham is doin' it the English way.
Tottenham, a small London club basking in the shadows of its much bigger, wealthier city neighbors Arsenal and Chelsea, have nurtured a young team full of youth and talent together with veterans to build a team finally able to knock off one of the fat cats a top the league. The Spurs, as their affectionately called by their supporters, sent a clear message to the rest of the league with a 9 -1 drubbing of Wigan over the weekend. In their rout of the Latics, Englishman Jermaine Defoe grabbed a English League record tying five goals to stake his case as a striker for England in the forthcoming World Cup.
To avid watchers of European football, club or international, there is no wonder that Tottenham have stormed into 4th. With youth and talent at an abundance, injuries look to be the only thing likely of slowing this team down. Englishmen Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Dawson lead a very intimidating line of defense, with Ledley King and Kyle Naughton looking to maintain fitness. Midfield and attack is where one can find the core of the Englishmen. With the likes of David Bentley, Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas, and Aaron Lennon available almost on a weekly basis, Manager Harry Redknapp (also English) has a plethora of midfielders to choose from. Up front, Jermaine Defore and lanky-man Peter Crouch form a great 1-2 punch in front of the goal.
As a huge England supporter growing up my whole life I've always respected clubs who have a strong depth of Englishmen on their team, especially in the modern era of English football. Given the fact that most of the Englishmen on Tottenham were not developed in the Spurs youth system, I still credit them for having a core of English in their squad (14 to be precise), something their London rivals Arsenal fail miserably at. For the record, Arsenal only have 3 while Chelsea don't do much better having only 7 Englishmen on the team.
What intrigues me most about watching Tottenham at White Hart Lane is the fact that I'm watching a London club playing with a core of English players, something that is currently hard to come by in the top flight of English football. Tottenham have one of the biggest, if not the biggest, group of English players on their roster in the Premiership. In Saturday's 9-1 thumping of Wigan Athletic, manager Harry Redknapp started six Englishmen, with two more coming off the bench in the second half. Seven of the nine scorers for Tottenham Sunday were English (8 if you count Chris Kirkland's own goal). With the talent on Harry Redknapp's club it's no wonder that the Spurs are due for a long stay at the top of English football (maybe even stealing a title here or there).
While the season is still young, Tottenham find themselves in great position. Sitting pretty in 4th place on 25 pts, and with the leading clubs within reach, White Hart Lane will surely be rocking the next couple of months. Tottenham are within 8 points of leaders Chelsea, 3 points back of United, and tied on points with Arsenal (although -7 on goal difference), and as long as Tottenham remain close till the end, the 3 games against these three clubs in a three week spell in April will surely have massive ramifications. If players remain healthy and in form, White Hart Lane looks to serve as one of the most attractive venues in English football this year.
In a football economy where expensive foreigners are everything, Tottenham is doin' it the English way.
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