Chelski and Becks

Heard a real good one about Ballack...

Ballack walks into a cocktail bar in the west end. "Two Martinis, bitte," he pipes up. The barman says "Dry?" Ballack's fuming. Slams his fist on the table and says "Nein! I said two". :))

Like the Beatles said, Money cant buy them love. Chelski have spend countless millions in trying to buy themselves all the trophies they possibly can. They have won the premier league twice now in the process, but are universally hated by all but their own supporters. Even their own supporters cant have failed to note the reasons for their clubs status as the most hated club in the world. Why, people would even support Man Utd just because they are the ones with the best chance of beating Chelski to the winners trophy! That takes a lot of doing, as Utd were definitely the most hated club before Jose Mourinho came along.

I wish they had just stuck with the amiable Claudio Ranieri instead. I am sure he would have got them the same results. Its not like Jose has uncovered gems through his scouting network, he just buys the ones who are making all the headlines. Makelele, Essien, Robben, Crespo, Drogba, and this seasons huge flops Ballack and Sheva. The worst possible failure of a manager is when he cannot get the best out of a proven world-beater like Sheva. Perhaps Mourinho's coaching style is similar to his media personality - obnoxious, out-spoken, arrogant. At least he did have the guts to place Sheva on the bench instead of trying to keep playing him when he is out of form. Another damning statement made about Chelsea is that they are unable to entertain, even though they are a team of galacticos. And then Jose has the audacity to ask "Why dont the Chelsea supporters sing?".

They dont coz they dont have anything to sing about, Jose. Grinding out 1-0 victories at home with Drogba scoring the only goal of the game against much weaker opposition is not what makes supporters break into song!

Of course, as a Liverpool supporter, I cant be too critical of Chelsea's game! Liv havent been setting the pitch on fire lately, but the difference is that the new talent coming in is vastly un-proven. Well, not the Bellamy and Pennant kind, but the Gonzalez, Paletta, Agger kind.

Another big story this week is about Becks's final stand-off with Predrag Mijatovic and the Real Madrid board. Mijatovic gave him an ultimatum, tell us if you will sign a new deal by the end of this week. Beck's comes back with "To Hell with you, I am not going to sign. I'd rather take the $25m a year package with the LA Galaxy"!!

Sad, really sad. I dont think he can be blamed for wanting the money, and it would do wonders for his celeb status living in LA and hobnobbing with Hollywood types of course. I think Becks wants to make his hay while the sun still shines. But from a footballing point of view, its a disastrous decision. He has now closed the doors to his England career for sure. Even if he scores 10 goals a month and sets up 10 more, he will still not get back into the national squad.

A great deal of the blame should fall on Steve Maclaren, I think. His decision to strip Beckham of the captaincy AND to dump him out of the squad was a very dishonest one in my opinion. At the same time, there was no action against players like John Terry and Frank Lampard, who both had very poor World Cups too. In fact, except for Owen Hargreaves, none of the English players did anything at the WC to enhance their reputations. And yet, Becks was made the scapegoat. As a footballer, he still has a lot to offer. Teams like Newcastle, Portsmouth and Bolton would give their right arms (or their managers) to have him play for them, but Becks made it clear that he will not be able to take lining up against Man Utd in the premiership. There was some rumours of Liverpool making a move for him too, but thats highly unlikely. That shows character, I think and a sense of loyalty to the club which ignominously sent out one of their favourite sons.

Unfortunately, Beckhams choice of his next destination will always be seen as more of a money thing than a footballing decision. Hopefully, after a season at LA Galaxy, he may rethink and decide a move to the premier league is not such a bad thing. I believe he easily has at least 3-4 years of football left in him, and the MLS will not be able to hold on to him, if he still has any footballing ambitions that is.

I think thats a long enough rant on footy for today!