STEVEN GERRARD HAS A LOT TO LEARN
Lionel Messi, Michael Essien put English players in shade
Like me, I'm sure everyone has been watching the Champions League games this week.
I was blown away by Barcelona's 4-0 win over Bayern Munich, especially as they scored all their goals in the first 40 minutes.
We've been trying to copy their skills and passes in training; it's just a shame that our pitch resembles a beach rahter than the Nou Camp bowling green!
That performance showed how far English players lag behind the best Europeans. As much as I think Steven Gerrard is an exceptional player, he is very much in the shadow of Lionel Messi, who has scored something like 32 goals in 40 games this season plus countless assists and all from a wide position.
I felt sorry for Gerrard on Wednesday because he was man-marked out of the game by Michael Essien. The Chelsea midfielder is world-class - strong, quick, skilful and with so much energy that he sometimes goes for a run AFTER a game.
Special
It was great to be fully involved with the first-team this week as we prepare for tomorrow's game against our arch-rivals Preston. We have a chance for revenge after losing to them earlier this season and it will be all the more special for me if I'm involved.
This was the match I focussed on throughout my rehab. It got me through the hours of balance work, cycling and running to it will be great if I get on.
I had a great letter this week, from an agent who was clearly sending out a generic pro forma to players who are out of contract this summer.
Normally, I just throw them away if they are sent to everybody, but for some reason I decided to read this one. It started with my name and contact details at the top and looked very professional.
But the opening read: Dear Mr Kozluk. With mistakes like that I'm not sure he'ill be doing much business this summer.
I'm looking forward to the summer because I've just about finished my university degree. We had a shorthand test this week, which I just about scraped through, and I then have to get an 18,000-word thesis handed in by the end of the month.
No rest for the wicked!
This article has 1 comment
For a footballer, you seem to lack an understanding of the game.... how can you say Messi is better than Gerrard? they are completely different players, playing in completely different positions, in completely different leagues......
Gerrard is by far the best Central Midfielder in the world and Messi is probably the best winger in the world, Messi also plays in league that is slower and offers much more space and time on the ball. There are countless examples of players that have made it in Spanish league but failed in the prem, take Forlan as a prime example. Anyway thats a different story.
But your comment "That performance showed how far English players lag behind the best Europeans" is nonsense.... Gerrard would go into any team in the world as first choice central midfielder, Rio Ferdinand would go into any team in the world as first choice Centre Back, David Beckham (even at his age) is one of AC Milan's best performers, Wayne Rooney one of the worlds best strikers... do i even need to carry on???
By Jim. Posted May 10 2009 at 11:02 AM.