The Premier League years have thrown up some remarkable specimens. Some fine players, too.
Indulge me for a moment: there has been David Beckham, David Ginola, Thierry Henry, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba and, on the touchline, Jose Mourinho.
You're not really supposed to adore players from the press box, but I always relished reporting on Eric Cantona.
Indulge me for a moment: there has been David Beckham, David Ginola, Thierry Henry, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba and, on the touchline, Jose Mourinho.
You're not really supposed to adore players from the press box, but I always relished reporting on Eric Cantona.
Of course, I know players can't go around impersonating Bruce Lee (even if a moronic supporter abuses your mum), but... it was Eric. It felt like a football career in the life of a film star. There was something inevitable about his chaos.
I also remember one night at Brammall Lane, Sheffield, when Cantona was majestic and scored this chip.
I wrote something like: 'It was another wonderful night in the company of Eric Cantona'.
It was a privilege to watch him at his best. He wasn't quick, but he was quick upstairs and his balance and protection of the ball made it difficult for defenders to get close.
He made good players better, he made Manchester United tick. Collar up, chest out: a swaggering mixture of volatile fury and cunning skill. Sometimes, he would look as if he didn't care and then he would turn the match. He needed Manchester United (Sheffield Wednesday once asked him to take place in a trial!) and Manchester United needed him. He was the original Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Every so often a footballer comes along who is different. A player who stands out for his originality. And I saw another of those players at Upton Park on Tuesday.
Manchester City's Alvaro Negredo was magnificent. OK, I know it was against West Ham's hopeless defence, but it was the second time I have seen 'La fiera de Vallecas' ('The Beast' to you and I) in the flesh. On both occasions West Ham have had no idea how to handle him.
Yes, he can play as a target man, but his movement, work rate, touch, reading of the game, link play and threat coming in from wide is exceptional.
Luis Suarez of Liverpool and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey have been the stand-out individuals of this thrilling season so far, but Negredo is another to stand on the podium.
Jamie Redknapp has already written his view on the ‘caveman who plays like an artist’ and now I have seen for myself what he means.
Negredo is not the same as Cantona, of course. He plays with Cantona's power but he has more pace. There doesn't seem to be a dark side - and scores more goals.
He now has 23 in 33 games for City – surely a team destined to win the Barclays Premier League title this season. And he is a box office footballer too – strong, powerful, direct. And that's before we even mention the stylish, handsome beard (they are all the rage these days, apparently...)
Back to the football and City arrived at West Ham leading 6-0 from the first leg, played their first-choice strikers and took the aggregate victory to 9-0. Negredo scored twice. Their attitude was professional and determined.
The talk from their camp before the game was about them maintaining their momentum and scoring more goals. Negredo scored in the third minute and the momentum was maintained.
Sergio Aguero might be more skilful, he might have more pace, he might be more eye-catching but Negredo is something else.
I also remember one night at Brammall Lane, Sheffield, when Cantona was majestic and scored this chip.
I wrote something like: 'It was another wonderful night in the company of Eric Cantona'.
It was a privilege to watch him at his best. He wasn't quick, but he was quick upstairs and his balance and protection of the ball made it difficult for defenders to get close.
He made good players better, he made Manchester United tick. Collar up, chest out: a swaggering mixture of volatile fury and cunning skill. Sometimes, he would look as if he didn't care and then he would turn the match. He needed Manchester United (Sheffield Wednesday once asked him to take place in a trial!) and Manchester United needed him. He was the original Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Every so often a footballer comes along who is different. A player who stands out for his originality. And I saw another of those players at Upton Park on Tuesday.
Manchester City's Alvaro Negredo was magnificent. OK, I know it was against West Ham's hopeless defence, but it was the second time I have seen 'La fiera de Vallecas' ('The Beast' to you and I) in the flesh. On both occasions West Ham have had no idea how to handle him.
Yes, he can play as a target man, but his movement, work rate, touch, reading of the game, link play and threat coming in from wide is exceptional.
Luis Suarez of Liverpool and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey have been the stand-out individuals of this thrilling season so far, but Negredo is another to stand on the podium.
Jamie Redknapp has already written his view on the ‘caveman who plays like an artist’ and now I have seen for myself what he means.
Negredo is not the same as Cantona, of course. He plays with Cantona's power but he has more pace. There doesn't seem to be a dark side - and scores more goals.
He now has 23 in 33 games for City – surely a team destined to win the Barclays Premier League title this season. And he is a box office footballer too – strong, powerful, direct. And that's before we even mention the stylish, handsome beard (they are all the rage these days, apparently...)
Back to the football and City arrived at West Ham leading 6-0 from the first leg, played their first-choice strikers and took the aggregate victory to 9-0. Negredo scored twice. Their attitude was professional and determined.
The talk from their camp before the game was about them maintaining their momentum and scoring more goals. Negredo scored in the third minute and the momentum was maintained.
Sergio Aguero might be more skilful, he might have more pace, he might be more eye-catching but Negredo is something else.
About 
Rise up Negredo, The other guys from the City of Manchester will salute you. It is indeed your time.
ReplyDelete