Tag: Villa
Why, Why, Why, Fernandoooooo
We have seen some brilliant moments already this season. And some bad moments too. But none quite like Fernando Torres’ bad moment at the weekend at Old Trafford. His move to Stamford Bridge has been far from ideal. Only 2 goals in 25 appearances for the club, it’s hardly the form of a £50m player. However, where as last year Torres looked jaded and lacklustre, there have been vast improvements this term. Particularly in Sunday’s game, Torres looked livelier, making the runs of Torres of old, and even notched up a goal. When that moment did come in the 83rd minute when el Ninio looked every bit of a striker searching for confidence, it was indeed a crafty bent run behind the United back four that created the mass of space, and some close footwork exposed David De Gea’s goal, yet it was the finish that deserted him.
I for one am a big fan of Torres and really hope he can find his form once more to terrorise defenders all over Europe, however, I’m also never one to pass up the opportunity to look at a top 5. So here’s Fernando’s miss in all its glory, followed by 5 more of the best. As usual, you have your own opinion so get in touch if you have other suggestions.
Ronny Rosenthal
Back to the good old days for this one. Often regarded as one of the worst misses ever in any poll, it seems only fair to start with the Israeli’s tremendous gaffe for Liverpool. He round the keeper much like Torres, and even goes one step further than Fernando by controlling the ball to compose himself, and then… oh well, I suppose no one would remember his name otherwise…
Ryan Giggs
Back to the scene of the crime – Old Trafford. Often regarded as scoring one of the greatest goals in FA Cup history, Giggsy also has the honour of one of the worst misses in FA Cup history. Losing 2-0 to the old enemy, Becks has just been battered in the face by Sir Alex, but all’s well cause Giggs has eluded Keown, Seaman and Campbell, has all the time in the world, can get the game back on track….oops!
Diego Forlan
Highly regarded as one of the top strikers in the world at present, it hasn’t always been that way for the Uruguayan international. During his time at Man Utd, Forlan struggled to buy a goal, but it looked like his luck was in when Juventus defender and keeper got in a mix up and he found himself 6 yards out with the goal at his mercy… did he score? Did he balls!
David Villa
It’s not just Fernando. His Spanish strike partner David Villa has a massive tendency to miss open goals. In searching for this I found a whole catalogue of Villa’s misses from two yards out, that suggest he could make his own dvd (seriously YouTube it!). So I just picked one at random. For one of the world’s best strikers you do think that maybe it’s Barca and Spain that make him look good, cause his finishing at times is questionable!
Nwankwo Kanu
No miss reel would be complete without the lanky Nigerian. You know the one. One yard out. Needs no explanation. Enjoy.
David Villa
Tidy business
On a dry Wembley night at the end of May Barcelona pointed out some glaring differences between themselves and the English Champions, Manchester United. And this week United have returned the favour. The difference in question this time concerns the club’s transfer dealings. Unlike our Spanish friend in Catalonia, Manchester United have once again carried out the simple task of expressing their desire for a player, agreeing the fee with the club in question, and have captured their second signing of the summer, in what looks to be a good move for all parties.
So while Barcelona scrummage around in their pockets for loose change, and stall transfers using unwanted youth players as pawns in their ridiculous negotiations, or even go on about a player to the point he is unsettled but never stump up the cash, Sir Alex Ferguson has bagged another promising player to add to his side and will surely move on to looking at other positions in need of strengthening.
The capture of Ashley Young was a great one for United. I will avoid falling into the trap of saying he is a promising young winger, because I don’t believe that is his best description. Yes he is only 25, but Young is about to enter into his best years as a footballer which is why it is a good time to have signed him. Rather than purchase an inconsistent youngster who has to learn the game, United have purchased a player who is stepping up to the international scene and has been well educated in top flight football, with big thanks to Aston Villa. And the fee I think is a fair one. For United, they get a player for a true value, and what looks like a steal in today’s over-inflated market, and Aston Villa get a good figure to try and replace the attacker, especially considering Young had only a year left on his contract.
The criticism of Theo Walcott and Aaron Lennon has always been that they lack the consistent end product, but with Young you have a player who willingly takes on his man and has a quality pass on him too. He can play on the right, left or through the centre, although I think the latter would not be his best suited role, and depending on how Sir Alex plays it, I imagine Rooney and Chicharito will be occupying that position. And teaming up with Monsieur Rooney adds another good prospect into the mix as the two will arguably be playing for club and country together. So if it works at Old Trafford, it will hopefully work at England level. I say this with Barcelona in mind, with Xavi/ Iniesta/ Villa as my blueprint.
And its another example of the fact that the wiley old fox Ferguson still knows what he is doing. Yes, United have an abundance of wingers, and Nani and Valencia may wonder where they figure in all this, but Sir Alex is very much looking to the future. One criticism is that he hasn’t done anything to replace the departed Paul Scholes, although there seems to be no rush, also considering Scholes’ waning appearance count: the ginger maestro put in his lowest appearance tally since 1997, bar the dreaded 05/06 campaign when he missed half a season with blurred vision. And with three candidates identified as replacements in Sneijder, Modric and Nasri, I think we can trust Sir Alex on this one. And his latest signing may be a premature replacement, for the remaining member of the golden generation at Old Trafford.
At 37, one would think Ryan Giggs’ days are numbered, and maybe Ashley Young provides that proven cover when the Welshman does decide to hang up his boots. With Valencia still not back to top form following his injury, and Nani throwing in as many duff performances as he does world-beating ones, Young may be the solid performer United are looking for.
So, it looks like United know what they’re looking for in this transfer window and seem to be executing their plan without any fuss so far. Reports suggest that the club will break the 80m barrier this summer, suggesting that a central midfielder and goalkeeper are shoe-ins to be coming through the Old Trafford doors.