Don Xabi Alonso of Merseyside

[Jezzman]

I was reading through the articles which are added to Xabi Alonso's profile on lfchistory.net and although they are not of the latest date, they give you a lot of insight to who this magnificent midfielder really is.

 

Here's a couple pf quotes from the articles. The links to the stories are below the quotes. If you haven't read the articles, I'm sure you'll enjoy reading them

 

The last sentense of the Observer article is well timed and funny as well.

 

?Passing has always brought me pleasure. I like to see a nice pass, I like to organise and support teammates,? Alonso says. ?When you strike a pass, the most important thing is the pace on it, and the game is so quick now, and teams play so compact and give you so little space, more than ever you have to get that right. When I hit a good pass, I like how it looks and I feel almost as happy as if I?ve scored a goal. If I give the ball away, I?m really sad, or embarrassed. You know that you?ve given the other team a chance to counter-attack. I take it personally and it becomes my challenge to get the ball back. ?You know when you sign for Liverpool you?re going to play the passing game because in Spain the reputation of the club is the same. Since I?ve been here I?ve realised how much our fans like to see a good long pass or a pass that keeps the tempo of the game going. The crowd here appreciate quality football.?

 

'Stevie covers lots of ground, goes forward more often and has an impressive shot,' says Alonso. 'I keep the ball, offer myself for the pass, mix short and long passes and go forward less frequently. In England in the past, when long balls were the rule, the central midfield player did not have to link the game. But I see more and more players like that in the Premiership now.

 

'Liverpool have always been a bit more continental and I have been told about Jan Molby, Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness. You can see and hear the reaction in the stadium when you make three consecutive good passes. Anfield supporters have been taught good football.'

 

Club Class - Sunday Times, Sept 11, 2005

 

Clever Xabi sets the pass mark - Guillem Balague, Observer, May 22, 2005