Hopefully, anyone who reads this site occasionally or regularly will realise that I love the game of football. I get very upset by the sniping, criticism and cynicism that is displayed towards the game by the media and I get very upset with the constant ridiculing of players as thick thugs who are only in the game for the money.
Supportive
It is because of efforts I make to be supportive of the game and the players that I am left feeling let down by players who fulfil the stereotypes they are so often given.
Nobody has ever called England midfielder Gareth Barry thick as far as I’m aware and he certainly seems to be a very long way away from being a thug. It is when it comes to the third part of the stereotype that we begin to have problems with Barry. Only in it for the money?
It is difficult to criticise a player for agreeing a move that will guarantee him around £25million over five years. Signing for Manchester City has set Barry up for life and after serving twelve years at Aston Villa, his only professional club, at the age of twenty-eight, many people will simply say, “good luck to him.â€Â
In many ways I join those well wishers, but deep down inside I am really disappointed that he has made the move.
Partnership
Just last week Steve Gerrard was talking about forming a club partnership with Barry at Liverpool to go alongside their partnership for England. It was widely expected that Rafa Benitez would make another attempt to take Barry to Anfield after the failure of their very public bid last Summer. At that time it was very clear that Barry wanted to go to Liverpool and he has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football.
Even if the Liverpool move didn’t come off there was talk about interest from Arsene Wenger. This could have been another avenue down which Gareth Barry could get the Champions League football that he says is so important to him.
The simple fact is, of course, that Manchester City did not even qualify for next season’s Europa League. Barry’s old club Aston Villa will be competing in Europe but his new club won’t. Barry talked of a fear of going stale at Villa but had previously only considered a move to one of the top four teams.
Ambitious
So what changed his mind? Was it the ambitious plans that City’s owners have and the fact that they can compete for the signatures of the world’s top players? Was it the fact that City will be aiming for qualification to the Champions League next season or the season after at the latest? Was it, as he says, simply the desire for a new challenge? Or was it the £130,000 per week that persuaded him?
I was very happy when Kaka turned down the ridiculous offer he was made by Manchester City and decided to stay at Milan. It sent a great message across the world of football that it isn’t easy just to buy your way to success. Players are looking for career goals and objectives more than they are looking at what they earn.
Now I worry that Gareth Barry is the first of many top players that might make their way to Eastlands this Summer and City might indeed be able to buy some success for their fans. I’m sure City fans won’t be complaining but it can’t be good for football.
Justify
Barry had made his career goal very clear and he struggles to justify his move on the basis that Champions League football may come in due course. He is twenty-eight years old and whilst time is not exactly running out, it is certainly not on his side.
I would have more respect for Barry if he simply asked, “wouldn’t you accept a job doing what you love doing and getting paid £25million for it over five years?â€Â
I know my answer would be yes. I just wish that clubs couldn’t pay that sort of silly money.
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