"Mascherano is, possibly, the best central midfielder in the world"

[Anfield Fox]

Very nice quotes from Argentine legend Jorge Valdano

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7690933.stm

 

What is your current view of the English game? Do you think Argentine duo Tevez and Mascherano have improved as players since they came to England?

 

The Anfield fans are the best player on the side and they drive the team's intense, unstoppable style. I believe Liverpool are very competitive but it is all done so rapidly that I get tired just watching it. My interest, above all, is when Xabi Alonso is at the controls.

 

Tevez is very intelligent and gives the English fans what they ask for. He is a player of great skill, who has gained in aggression, although at times he runs too much for my liking. I do not like it when a defender seems to be playing in attack.

 

Mascherano is, possibly, the best central midfielder in the world. With him on the pitch a coach can sleep easily.

 

Do you regret the fact that you never had the opportunity to play in England? And if you could manage any Premier League team right now, which would you choose?

From united4ayo on 606

 

I deeply regret not having played in England. I have always admired Liverpool.

[Hassony]

Valdano and Rafa don't like each other much do they?

[Bo Benn]

Isn't that supposed to be best defensive midfielder.

 

Semantics I know but a central midfielder for me is more an Alonso sort of player and Gerrard in his current position is an attacking midfielder or something.

[AE]

Do you regret the fact that you never had the opportunity to play in England? And if you could manage any Premier League team right now, which would you choose?

From united4ayo on 606

 

I deeply regret not having played in England. I have always admired Liverpool

 

Just the response a United fan would have wanted to their question

[matty]

Is this the same Valdano of the 'sh*t on a stick' comment?

[Spike]

Isn't that supposed to be best defensive midfielder.

 

Semantics I know but a central midfielder for me is more an Alonso sort of player and Gerrard in his current position is an attacking midfielder or something.

 

Semantics that didn't exist before Championship manager

[Hassony]

I like this answer

 

You once famously said "Football is beginning to be a lie well documented by the media". Explain this quote?

From ryanthemadgeordie- WISE OUT!!!! on 606

 

There is a football that happens on its own terms and there is a football that is documented. The perversion is that, at times, the football that is documented is more important than 'real' football. This speaks volumes about the power of the media who, on many occasions, instead of defending the truth defend economic interests.

[Archangel]

Is this the same Valdano of the 'sh*t on a stick' comment?

 

Yup, but that could have been more to do with discouraging the Madrid board from chasing after Benitez

[StevieC]

Nice subtle tapping up/unsettling of Aguero in the full article.

[Hassony]

Nice subtle tapping up/unsettling of Aguero in the full article.

 

He doesn't work for Real anymore

[Maldini]

Is this the same Valdano of the 'sh*t on a stick' comment?

 

Yeah, that was kind of lost in translation, it was a compliment to our fans more than anything. He more or less said that you could put s*** on a stick in the middle of the pitch and our fans would still go crazy for it because we're that passionate.

[LondonLiverpoolFan]

Maradona wants Masch to be the new Captain of Argentina

 

http://msn.football365.com/story/0,17033,8...4457715,00.html

 

DIEGO WANTS MASCH AS SKIPPER

Posted 05/11/08 09:14EmailPrintSave

 

 

 

New Argentina coach Diego Maradona has confirmed he wants Liverpool's Javier Mascherano to captain the country.

 

 

Argentine legend Maradona was handed his country's top job on Tuesday following the departure of Alfio Basile last month.

 

 

The former World Cup winner's first game in charge will the be the friendly with Scotland and he is keen to appoint Reds midfielder Mascherano as a long-term successor to current captain Javier Zanetti.

 

 

"I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about the Argentinian shirt - sweat for it, sacrifice for it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate," said Maradona.

 

 

"I will convince him. He will be my captain."

 

 

Mascherano has been joined in Maradona's first squad by Newcastle duo Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez and Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez.

 

 

However, there is no place in the squad for Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso or Getafe goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri.

[elmo]

I hope Masch learns how to talk to refs.

[Hassony]

I hope Masch learns how to talk to refs.

 

or maybe he needs an english passport to get an immunity from the refs

[Boca]

I thought Mascherano had said he didn't want to be captain because he felt he was too quiet and not a leader? Definitely read something along those lines earlier in the week.

 

found it

• "We had a short chat and he said: 'I want you to be the captain of my team, so get ready'," Mascherano said.
  
• 
  "He didn't get the answer he was expecting. I am sorry for that but I told him the truth and that is that I don't feel I can be the captain."
   
  Mascherano's decision will come as a surprise to many. He has always been spoken of in glowing terms by his team-mates and his coaches, and his on-field presence is formidable.
   
  However, the ex-River Plate man said: "I don't have so much personality inside the dressing room. I can put all my energy and strength on to the pitch and maybe can show the way to some of my team-mates. But off the pitch I am not the same. A captain has to be born to the role."
   
  Some pundits may view this as an ominous beginning to Maradona's tenure, but Mascherano added: "Diego is a very good person and I hope that he doesn't get offended with my decision.
  
• 
  "I just don't feel that I'm right for it. A leader is someone that everyone listens to and that doesn't happen to me because I don't talk so much in the dressing room. I hope he will understand."
  

 

Edited November 6, 2008 by Boca

[Chili Palmer]

I thought Mascherano had said he didn't want to be captain because he felt he was too quiet and not a leader? Definitely read something along those lines earlier in the week.

 

found it

• "We had a short chat and he said: 'I want you to be the captain of my team, so get ready'," Mascherano said.
  
• 
  "He didn't get the answer he was expecting. I am sorry for that but I told him the truth and that is that I don't feel I can be the captain."
   
  Mascherano's decision will come as a surprise to many. He has always been spoken of in glowing terms by his team-mates and his coaches, and his on-field presence is formidable.
   
  However, the ex-River Plate man said: "I don't have so much personality inside the dressing room. I can put all my energy and strength on to the pitch and maybe can show the way to some of my team-mates. But off the pitch I am not the same. A captain has to be born to the role."
   
  Some pundits may view this as an ominous beginning to Maradona's tenure, but Mascherano added: "Diego is a very good person and I hope that he doesn't get offended with my decision.
  
• 
  "I just don't feel that I'm right for it. A leader is someone that everyone listens to and that doesn't happen to me because I don't talk so much in the dressing room. I hope he will understand."
  

 

 

a leader doesn't have to talk alot. there are other ways.

[Guest Ant]

In a weird way, Javier would be a cracking captain.

[Murphman]

a leader doesn't have to talk alot. there are other ways.

 

 

To be captain on the pitch you have to talk to and encourage/boll*ck your team mates.

[Chili Palmer]

To be captain on the pitch you have to talk to and encourage/boll*ck your team mates.

 

I didn't say they can be mute, you don't have to talk non stop during a game, a few choice words at the right time can do the trick, or in Maschs case, a mad stare followed by 'f*** off, f*** off' would also suffice.

[johngibo YPC]

He's changed his mind or something

"Go on then"