Relentless pursuit of excellence...Eduardo Da Silva

In August 2006 Arsenal's manager Arsene Wenger witness a player score the first European goal at the team's new home the Emirates Stadium. He was so impressed with the player that he contacted the players club Dinamo Zagreb on the his availability. The request was successful and the player moved from Croatia to the English premiership to fill an attacking void left by Arsenal's most potent striker the legendary Theirry Henry. Little was known of this player and critics had a field day questioning Wenger's transfer decision. I too had my doubts and decided to look for videos on the player. My research made me a believer and I was almost certain the player would lay his mark on Arsenal for season's to come.

This player is Eduardo and many have learned what an awe inspiring individual this player is on and off the pitch. His debut season was cut short by an devastating injury just over a year ago that led many to believe he would never return back to the potential he had. He with the help of Arsenal's outstanding medical staff proved naysayers wrong when he returned and scored two goals in his first team debut and went on to score on of the most brilliant volley goals of the season. Anyone who questioned his skill before his strike on Cardiff's goal have fell silent in reverence to skills be possesses. It was a beacon to the Premiership that Eduardo is back and in deadly form.

Eduardo is a rare breed in modern football. A player with amazing talent but does not carry himself with arrogance. He is a natural goal scorer, a poacher like Real Madrid's Van Nistelrooy. He is a striker in and out also possesses the pace and footwork skill to ply his trade on the wing servicing the attack. Place a the ball close to goal and he is almost certain to score. He displays composure in front of goal which even top strikers in the world fail to possess for years. Once the ball is at his feet in front of goal it is as if time stops, defenders and goal keepers try their hardest to put him off his game to no avail, he simply brushes their distractions aside and focuses on his only target, the back of the net. He possesses the quickness and intelligence to make it look easy to score. Simple tap ins, headers, shots outside the box, volleys and bicycle kicks have all been utilized to achieve his goal. What happens next is usually more amazing. Eduardo hardly partakes in extravagant celebrations that modern players are now known for. He intead just issues a smile a nod and presses towards getting himself back in position to continue the game. It was only since his return that he has been celebrated his goals with devour pushing players and obstacles out of his way during his first team returning goal to console his team doctor, thanking him for bringing him back to full health.

The 5ft 9 striker was born in Rio De Janiero, Brazil and developed his talent at a club in his neighbourhood Bantu. In 1999 scouts from Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb were in Brazil looking for talent and came upon on the talented Brazilian. He was taken to the club on trial and eventually became a part of the youth squad. He made his debut in the first team in 2001 but was then loaned out to a second division Croatian club Inter Zapresic in the following season. His time on loan was successful and he scored an impressive 10 goals in just 15 appearances. This resulted in him being recalled back to Dinamo where he earned his place in the first team line up. He began to be known for scoring goals and setting up assists. He scored 18 goals in 18 appearances consecutively in the 06-07 season and led his team to 2 Crotian league titles and placements in European competitions.

During his time in Croatia he also decided to take up citizenship and joined the Croatian youth team in under 21 team in 02. He made 12 appearances and scored 8 goals. It was not long before he was called up to the senior team and after 06 WC which he did not participate in he began to play an integral role in their new managers attacking strategy. He has made 23 appearances and scored 13 goals. His National manager Slaven Bilic made it clear that the team were at a disadvantage without their top striker due to his season ending injury.

In the summer of 07 Arsenal purchased Eduardo for 7.5 million pds and he became immediately involved in the clubs preseason friendly cup matches. He scored his first goal in a Gunners shirt in a 2-1 win against Italian side Lazio in the pre-seaon Amsterdam Cup. He then made his season debut in August against Blackburn as a substitute in a 1-1 draw. His first competitive goal came in European qualifier competition against Sparta Prague. He then went on to gradually adjust into his new team making cameo appearances in domestic cup matches. It was not until the Christmas period of last season that Eduardo began to become a regular fixture in the Arsenal first time premiership line up. Injuries to main striker Robin Van Persie created an opportunity for him to become a starting striker and he grasped it open handedly. He went on to score a series of important goals for Arsenal until his leg was broken by a reckless tackle on the 23rd of February. It immediately ended his season and left him 12 goals and 8 assist in 31 appearances.

There was great worry that he would not be able to participate at a high level after the injury, but this was put to rest during practice matches during team training. The players internal drive and determination along with the incredible work of Arsenal's medical staff brought Eduardo back to the pitch in awe inspiring form. Eduardo scored a hat trick against his team mates in private match and then went on to improve in the reserves. He returned back to his national team in February and gave an winning assist. His return to the first team line up despite being recieving a number of set backs due to niggling injuries has been impressive. He has scored 3 goals in 2 appearances including a a volley from the outside of his foot against Prem hopefuls Burnsley in the FA Cup that is touted as one of the best goals ever excecuted. There is no question that he has returned even stronger than before and will contribute to the remaining Arsenal's season. It gives me great joy to see Eduardo return, I remember the fateful day when I witnessed his injury on my screen and prayed that he would recover, I was overjoyed when I saw him leap in the air to head the ball into the net in the FA Cup replay against Cardiff. It showed that with great determination and good spirits even the most destructable of obstacles can be overcome and one can continue onwards in the relentless pursuit of excellence. Welcome back Eduardo we missed you dearly.

To Milan?...or to England?..Where to Ronnie?

Samba boy Ronnie seems to be on his way out of Barcalona as the La Liga season comes to an end and I am not surprised. Ronaldinho is one of the greatest footballers to ever grace the planet. He has achieved almost everything a player can achieve in football. He has won the World Cup, FIFA Player of the year award, Golden Ball Award, La Liga Titles and the ever elusive Champions League Trophy. He won most of these awards playing for Barcalona. It now seems that he has lost the drive to achieve anything further at the club. As a fan of football this is very disappointing news. I can remember Ronaldinho entertaining me with his crazy footwork and fantastic goals always having a boyish smile on his face. One, only has to watch replays of El Classico matches against rivals Real Madrid to see the artist at his best. I used to tell my bestfriend that he seems to take the game in jest and imagine when he decides to take it seriously how much more entertainment he will give.

The last couple seasons I have no longer seen the smile on his face and I wish to see it once more. Internal problems last season between Ronaldinho and Samuel Etoo led to speculations that one of the two was close to leaving. This did not happen and a new season started and as it played out, it became evident that Ronaldinho clearly does not want to remain in Barcalona. Everyone is expecting him to now set his eyes on either Italy or England to face new challenges. In Italy rumour has it that his brother and agent is trying to work out a transfer deal that will bring the Brazilian magician to AC Milan. AC Milan however have not come to an agreement with Barcalona on the transfer fee and thier rivals Inter Milan now feel fit to also attract Ronnie to thier side of the San Siro. In England there is talks about Manchester City or Tottenham looking to use his services.

Lets look at Italy first. If I had a choice in the matter I would love to see Ronnie in an AC Milan shirt. To see an attacking force consisting of a Brazilian trio consisting of Ronaldinho, Kaka and young Pato would be an awe to watch on the club level (We should see this on the International level very soon). It would be like Samba in Milan and a club like Milan that is known for its good reputation with its players should be able to bring out the best in the Brazilian. He would have a new challenge first of winning either the CL or UEFA Cup. He would also play a significant role in bringing the Seria A title back to AC Milan's side of town. Option number two would be to join Inter Milan, a club that seems to scout the best players from top teams and attract them to their grounds to bring in success. Ronnie would follow the footsteps of Viera, Figo and Crespo who made similar moves. Inter has had a couple of successful seasons as leaders of the Seria A and would automatically grant Ronnie placement in the Champions League. My only concern is I dont believe that Inter Milan would suit Ronaldinho's playing style and he may have make adjustments in his game and even position to fit into the squad.

The other two rumoured teams are based in England. Ronnie has already expressed he has no interest in the English game, but one can never tell in where players end up when the transfer window opens. The first team that might acquire his services is Manchester City. A team that has a new owner, a new manager, new players, new finances and new expectations. The team is owned by a former politician from Thailand that is worth billions. The manager is the former manager of the English national team Sven Eriksson. Eriksson over the pass season has spent funds bringing in players such as Elano, Petrov and Castello in hope to create a fast paced team that will compete in the top flight of the Premiereship and win a place in Europe. He was recently in the process of bringing a young Brazilian striker Jo to Manchester in a deal that will be the largest in Man City history. His next target is to bring Ronaldinho to England to bring the team much needed marketability and success in European hopes. If Ronaldinho joins Manchester City I can expect to see him fitting into team contributing precision passes, spot kicks and entertainment. Finally another team rumoured to be interested in the Brazilian is Tottenham.

Tottenham like Manchester City also have great expectations and have brought in a qualified Spanish manager Juande Ramos. Ramos has already won the UEFA Cup twice in Spain with Sevilla. I have no idea if Ronaldinho goes to Tottenham how he will fit in. This is because Ramos is expected to do an extreme house cleaning of the current players in the club and bring in alot of new faces. Ronaldinho will be one of at least 8 players expected to come in. One thing is certain though if Ronaldinho does join Tottenham he will be under the close scrutiny of Ramos. Ramos is already famous in London for his strict "No pies" diet and work out plan. This would not go well with a party boy like Ronnie I would think. It would surely put him in shape to tackle the pace and physical pressure of the BPL. My pick is AC Milan, however where ever the destination is I will be watching.

The Future Before Us...Alexandre Pato

Brazil is to Football what graham crackers is to cheesecake. The two are eternally married to each other and produce the most beautiful experiences. Now think back, I know its a long time to when you were 17...what were doing then, probably partying, doing exams in high school, learning to drive. Now look at what Alexandre Pato (Alexandre Rodrigues Da Silva) is doing or has done. He has signed to Ac Milan, he has started and played with the greats Ronaldo, Kaka, Pirlo and Maldini and has managed to score a goal in that very same game. He has went from a Brazilian hidden weapon at Internaicial in Brazil to a legend in the making in the Seria A.

The most intriguing part of this story is that like Kaka, this phenomenon should not have happened. Research for this article enlightend me to the fact that Pato had a tumor growing under his arm during his childhood and if it was not for the benovolence of the family doctor he would have died, for his family could not have afforded the operation. Thank God for the doctor, for now the world has been granted the opportunity to feast its eyes on the next great player coming out of Brazil.

Pato (Meaning the Duck) is the moniker the young brazilian goes by and his bright orange nike boots only emphasize this name. On the field he is more like a cheetah, a striker with the knack to drift to the wing and perform all the samba tricks that have made Brazil a household name in football. The young man was so gifted in Brazil, his former team banned his team mates in his youth team to speak about him. This was to ensure that he could be launched stealthily on opponents at the right time. During this time he made 10 appearances and scored 6 goals before attracting the Italian giants.

He arrived in Milan in the summer of last yr but was too young according to regulations to play in the Seria A. Milan had to keep the young man under wraps until the second half of the season opened in January. In the mean time AC Milan struggled to gain momentum in the competitive season falthering in points and struggled to maintain a CL league position. Injuries to Ronaldo and a lack of goals from main striker Gilardino did not make the task easier considering Kaka failed to produce the form that made him 2006 player of the year. With his job under pressure AC Milan's manager Ancelotti called on the gifted duck to take up the mantle and score the goals that would ensure AC Milan berth to the top 5.

The media upon hearing this news began to increase expectations and demaned that the young man deliver AC Milan from the dark times that were upon them. Pato at age 17 on his debut season was expected to put AC Milan on his shoulders and carry the team to 5th position in the table. Pato debuted in a 5-2 home win against Napoli with the world watching his every move as he scored a magnificent goal that raised the roof of the San Siro. He cried as he celebrated with his now recognized sign, his fingers shaped into a heart. His team mates, that included his childhood heroes Ronaldo and Kaka ran over towards him to congratulate him for his contribution. The young man with so much pressure placed upon him had came through and has went on to score an impressive rate of 8 goals in 10 appearances and has played for his country in the senior level. Despite AC Milan faltering out of the CL and struggling to gain a place in the competition next yr, the development of this young talent can only bring a glitter of hope to the fans in the stadium known as San Siro.