So according to the Guardian there is a deal in place to take Ronaldo to Real Madrid for £75m in the summer. Given what I think about Cristiano Ronaldo (I think he's the most despicable person in football) it should come as little surprise that in my opinion this would be excellent business for Manchester United. But not only because they'd be getting rid of a prat, but they'd also be getting rid of a player who could be replaced by something more effective.
Now I'm sure some United fans are protesting, saying that Ronaldo has 17 goals this season, and is joint second highest scorer in the league (though this must be qualified by adding that he has just two goals more to his name than Kevin Davies, so how much do goals really tells us?). A closer look at his goal scoring exploits also reveals the misleading nature of certain stats:
His first goal of the season in the league was a penalty against Bolton at home. His second goal was the second of a 4-0 rout against West Brom, again at home. His third and fourth came against West Ham in a 2-0 home win. His fifth and sixth came against Hull in a 4-3 home win, which brings us up to November. His next two goals came against Stoke at home in a 5-0 thrashing, one of them scored at the start, the other right at the end. That was on the 15th of November. He had to wait until the 27th of January for his next league goal, with this and another being the fourth and fifth of a 5-0 away win against West Brom. He scored a penalty at home against Everton in the next game, a freekick at home against Blackburn, and completeing his league haul thus far he scored a penalty at home against Liverpool three weeks ago.
There are a few repeated words in the above paragraph - home, West, Brom, penalty. In fact Ronaldo's only away goals this season were the two against West Brom, and by then United were 3-0 and cruising.
To make things clearer, here is a list of the teams he has scored against from open play: West Brom (20th), Stoke (16th), West Ham (8th), Bolton (12th), Hull (13th). It shouldn't go unnoticed that three of those teams are the promoted teams from last season, and the games against these three teams comprise of 7 of his goals.
Ronaldo's other goals were scored in the three cups. 1 against Derby in a 4-1 win, 1 against Middleborough in a 3-1 win, and a penalty against Derby in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. He also scored a header againt Inter at home in the Champions League.
Maybe it is unfair of me to do this with Ronaldo, but a look below the surface of his goals tally reveals a player who has contributed little to United's cause, and has only really showed up at home...against promoted teams. And that's not even taking into account each 90 minutes he has spent on the pitch, seemingly unable or unwilling to take on opponents, and more concerned with kicking shins rather than by kicking the ball into the net. The superb irony in all of this is that he was crowned "Best player in the world" during these awful performances, while a little Argentine in Spain was showing the world what a truly great player might look like.
Forget about the argument "But Ronaldo has scored 17 goals this season". He has been largely useless since May, and if it weren't for the United defense they would find themselves in deep trouble coming into the home stretch. To get £75m for him in the summer would be incredible business, and would help Man Utd fund the overhaul that they need (a new striker, a new central midfielder, two new wingers). Will Fergie be willing to start over again? Possibly not, but I think he will need to if United are to continue their dominance. Of course I say that as United are on course for winning the quadruple. Tis a funny ol' game.
Now I'm sure some United fans are protesting, saying that Ronaldo has 17 goals this season, and is joint second highest scorer in the league (though this must be qualified by adding that he has just two goals more to his name than Kevin Davies, so how much do goals really tells us?). A closer look at his goal scoring exploits also reveals the misleading nature of certain stats:
His first goal of the season in the league was a penalty against Bolton at home. His second goal was the second of a 4-0 rout against West Brom, again at home. His third and fourth came against West Ham in a 2-0 home win. His fifth and sixth came against Hull in a 4-3 home win, which brings us up to November. His next two goals came against Stoke at home in a 5-0 thrashing, one of them scored at the start, the other right at the end. That was on the 15th of November. He had to wait until the 27th of January for his next league goal, with this and another being the fourth and fifth of a 5-0 away win against West Brom. He scored a penalty at home against Everton in the next game, a freekick at home against Blackburn, and completeing his league haul thus far he scored a penalty at home against Liverpool three weeks ago.
There are a few repeated words in the above paragraph - home, West, Brom, penalty. In fact Ronaldo's only away goals this season were the two against West Brom, and by then United were 3-0 and cruising.
To make things clearer, here is a list of the teams he has scored against from open play: West Brom (20th), Stoke (16th), West Ham (8th), Bolton (12th), Hull (13th). It shouldn't go unnoticed that three of those teams are the promoted teams from last season, and the games against these three teams comprise of 7 of his goals.
Ronaldo's other goals were scored in the three cups. 1 against Derby in a 4-1 win, 1 against Middleborough in a 3-1 win, and a penalty against Derby in the second leg of the Carling Cup semi-final. He also scored a header againt Inter at home in the Champions League.
Maybe it is unfair of me to do this with Ronaldo, but a look below the surface of his goals tally reveals a player who has contributed little to United's cause, and has only really showed up at home...against promoted teams. And that's not even taking into account each 90 minutes he has spent on the pitch, seemingly unable or unwilling to take on opponents, and more concerned with kicking shins rather than by kicking the ball into the net. The superb irony in all of this is that he was crowned "Best player in the world" during these awful performances, while a little Argentine in Spain was showing the world what a truly great player might look like.
Forget about the argument "But Ronaldo has scored 17 goals this season". He has been largely useless since May, and if it weren't for the United defense they would find themselves in deep trouble coming into the home stretch. To get £75m for him in the summer would be incredible business, and would help Man Utd fund the overhaul that they need (a new striker, a new central midfielder, two new wingers). Will Fergie be willing to start over again? Possibly not, but I think he will need to if United are to continue their dominance. Of course I say that as United are on course for winning the quadruple. Tis a funny ol' game.
2 comments:
Ok Declan I agree with you to large degrees. If I could get 35 mil plus Ribery for Ronaldo I'd love to see the back of the fucker but you need to get over this 'best player in the world' thing. The award just means who had the best season and last season it was undoubtedly Ronaldo. Messi's a better player everyone (I think) knows that but Ronaldo deserved to win that award... you need to get over that if I'm to take any of these Ronaldo bashings seriously.
Whoa. I never said he didnt deserve the award. In fact in a post before Christmas I said he DID deserve it. I simply stated the irony of him receiving the award while he was clearly being outclassed, which begs the question why arent these awards given in June or July or something.
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