Nani’s Replacement Comes in on a Choo-Choo Train

Sporting today signed Marat Izmailov from Lokomotiv Moscow as an apparent replacement for Nani. While we’re on the subject of locomotives, what the hell is with the hype train involving Nani all of the sudden? I think the kid’s great, but he hasn’t played a single game in the Premier League and everyone seems ready to crown him as the second coming.

First of all, if the guy’s that good, then there should be no discussion about replacing him. Did he have a stellar year at Sporting? Absolutely. At this point in his career and at his present skill level, is he actually replaceable? You bet your sweet ass he is, at least in the short term. Does this guy have the ability to be Nani’s replacement? I have absolutely no idea.

Izmailov’s got four years on God’s Newest Gift to Football and has played 190 matches for the Muscovite Choo Choo as well as earning 31 sombreros for Mother Russia. If they consider him a replacement for another starter, I’m assuming he’s capable of stepping into first team action immediately which gives some sort of indication of how good he is. Also consider the fact that if he’s mentioned even in the same breath or sentence as the All Powerful Most Reverend Nani, he must be at least worthy to step on the same grass as Manchester United’s Savior (don’t know what saving they really need since they won the league last year, but let’s keep going with the Holy references and just roll with it).

The Archbishop of Attacking Midfielders will be missed, but Sporting are hoping that a shot of the proverbial Russian vodka will taste better than the (FC) Port(o) they’ve had shoved down their throats the last few years.

Yup, it’s about that time. A crappy, stretched drinking reference can mean only one thing: It’s almost Happy Hour!

Category: Super Liga

Tags: Marat Izmailov, Nani, Sporting, Super Liga, vodka

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