You Can’t Always Get Your Wish
By Cheval John
Clint Dempsey always had a chip on his shoulder.
He never had an entitlement like others who play the sport of soccer had during their childhood.
He grew up in a lower-middle class family in Nacogdoches, Texas where he had to fight for everything.
He carried that attitude all the way to the English Premier League, where he displayed his talent and ability to score at will for Fulham, F.C.
During that time, he played under four head coaches and each time, he had to prove himself time and time again.
That what separated him from the others as he became the first American international to score 50 career goals in the EPL and establish himself as one of the best players in the world.
Dempsey always had a knack for knowing what he wants.
He got a taste of what it was like to play in a European club competition when Fulham played in the UEFA Europa League during the 2009-10 season.
His most memorable moment came in the second leg of the match against Juventus in Craven Cottage, when he chip in a beautiful ball from outside the penalty area into the net for the game-winning goal that knocked the Italian club out of the competition.
They made it to the final that season, but lost to Atletico Madrid.
He knew that he was not getting any younger and that he made it clear that he wanted to play for an UEFA Champions League club.
To him, it was not about the money, but the very opportunity to experience the atmosphere of playing in what is arguably, the most prestigious club competitions in Europe.
Liverpool, F.C. showed interest in acquiring Dempsey during the off season.
Dempsey didn’t travel with the team for training and was determined to get out with all possible means.
The Reds wavered because they did not meet the asking price by Fulham.
By the time the 2012-13 season began, Dempsey did not report to the team, which indicated that he was done with the club.
On the other hand, Liverpool tried to make a last ditch effort by midnight on Friday before the transfer window, but to no avail.
It seemed as if Dempsey was going to remain at Fulham.
But, at the last minute, Tottenham Hotspur reached an agreement with the Cottagers to acquire Dempsey.
The Spurs are currently in the Europa League this season after being knocked out by Chelsea, who won the UEFA Champions League final last season.
Though it wasn’t the team that Dempsey wanted, he got his wish because not only is he playing for a club that came close to play in the Champions League, but he doesn’t have to move miles away from his home in London.
Some see this drama as him being selfish because he is making millions of dollars and is playing in the best league in the world.
But to others, they see a player who wants to experience the atmosphere of playing in the Champions League.
Depending on which side of the fence you’re on, one thing is certain; Dempsey will not make the U.S. National team when they play Jamaica in the qualifier matches for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil that is set to begin in a couple of weeks.
Take The Money And Run
by Cheval John
Normally, I am for coaches who stay with one team for an extended period of time in order for players to be successful on the field.
Today, you see coaches leaving a highly successful team for their “dream job”.
In soccer, that is no different as coaches changes teams every year because they either did not reach the expectations of the owners, fans, etc. or they wanted to coach at a well known club, like Real Madrid.
In the case of Roberto DiMatteo, interim head coach of Chelsea, there is every reason why he should get the job.
For starters, after being named interim of the club, he led the team from the brink of elimination against Napoli in the last of 16 in the UEFA Champions League Tournament to winning the tournament final in dramatic fashion against Bayern Munich in Munich, Germany.
With that said, I am going to say something that will be a shock to many.
Di Matteo should leave the club as soon as possible and try to get a job somewhere else.
The reason is because Chelsea’s owner, Roman Abramovich.
Though the club has taken off to new heights since he became club owner in 2003 by winning three English Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the UEFA Champions League Title.
On the flip side, he has fired six head coaches in the last nine years during that stretch including Andres Villas-Boas.
The latter happen during the 2011-12 season that opened the door for Di Matteo to replace him and lead the team to one of the biggest turnarounds in sports history.
The question looms around if he will be named head coach on a permanent basis.
If Abramovich offers the position, Di Matteo should turn it down because if he doesn’t build upon the success from this past season, there is no doubt that Abramovich will sack him when things are not going well for the club.
So to Di Matteo, take the money and run.
Honesty Is The Best Policy
by Cheval John
Some media pundits would say ‘if you’re not cheating, you are not trying.’
Many can attest that soccer is the poster child for that statement.
The casual fan sees the majority of players diving or faking an injury in order to get a call from the referee.
They would immediately have a stereotypical view of the sport because of that.
I saw the opposite of that in a match between Everton F.C. and Newcastle United on Monday.
With the game tied at 1-1 in the 64th minute, Everton’s Victor Anichebe was going for the ball on a breakaway to try to score the go-ahead goal.
However, Newcastle’s goalkeeper Steve Harper came out of his box to clear the ball and in the process was clipped by Anichebe.
The referee signaled a foul and it seemed like Anichebe was going to be penalized.
In an instant, Harper told the referee that Anichebe was for the ball and not for him.
Normally in that circumstance, a player would receive a yellow card.
If the foul was really severe, then a red card would be issued and the player would be ejected from the match.
Harper had the opportunity to get Anichebe sent off because the Nigerian forward was playing very well late in the competition.
But he decided to be honest and it kept Anichebe in the game.
That shows that they are some people who are willing to play the right way and do what is right no matter what.
Many would focus on the outcome of the game or the missed calls by the referees.
For me, Harper’s action was the shining moment of the match.
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