Why Not Pay for a Good Turndown Service and Some Clean Sheets?
By: Greg | June 5th, 2007
Check the local transfer rumor (or ‘rumour’ if you’re feeling extra European) rag and you’ll see a slew of defenders, midfielders, wingers, strikers, managers, butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers on the block. What you won’t see is a keeper’s name being kicked around. Why?
The reason why I mention this is that given his past performances in the 2004 Euro, the 2006 World Cup, and giving up the lowest amount of goals this year in the Portuguese Liga, I think Sporting’s Ricardo is a prime candidate for big club plucking. But…alas…not a peep.
Scoring goals is important, sure, it’s how you win the game. But isn’t keeping the ball the hell out of the net just as important? When your outfield players have a three game week and can only muster one goal who’s going to make that goal stand up? The keeper.
Now don’t come to me with stupid excuses about why a guy like Ricardo isn’t heavily sought after. Tell me that he’s 31 and that’s too old to invest in a keeper. Please. Keepers can play until they’re 700 years old.
Tell me that he plays in a relatively inferior league and hasn’t tasted real club-level competition. Please. If that’s the case, then why are teams like Manchester United mortgaging their future on outfield players from the Portuguese League?
Tell me he hasn’t had and real tests internationally and only stepped in on the Portuguese international squad after an injury to Vítor Baía. Again, please. While Baía’s injury opened the door, Ricardo managed to turn in amazing performances on some of the world’s largest stages (see above international tournaments as references). And while you’re busy pulling your head out of your ass, ask England what keeper they aren’t dying to see if one of their matches goes to penalties.
I’ll give you a hint: his name rhymes with ‘Micardo.’
For the uninitated, watch the video below and get schooled on Ricardo’s brilliance…
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Comments
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I completely agree with you – goalkeepers are seriously undervalued in today’s transfer market. Everyone’s searching for a few more goals while forgetting that winning 1-0 is better than losing 3-2. Keepers like Ricardo, as well as closer to home players for me, like Craig Gordon and Artur Boruc, should have managers throwing millions at them. Instead, every Prem side wants four top strikers. It’s pretty ridiculous.
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