WHERE TO FOR KEWELL?
April 30th 2008 02:54
Whilst the two horse race between Manchester United and Chelsea in the EPL continues to dominate the British sports pages, another interested football story is just beginning to unravel. Where will Harry Kewell be playing next year?
Once again on the weekend it was evident that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitiez has finally lost patience with the Australian striker. A long time fan of Kewell and one who has persisted with the talented left footer despite his endless list of injuries, Benetiz appears to have finally made his decision. Injuries and poor form has hampered Kewell throughout his time at Liverpool playing only 136 matches in five years with a poor return of only 16 goals. This season alone he has only played 13 matches, without finding the net.
Despite Kewell’s troubled past, it appears clubs are still queuing for the services of the once future superstar. It has already been reported that Roy Keane is interested in starting the left footer at Sunderland. Aston Villa, Fullham, Greek champions Olympiakos and Italian giants Juventus have also been linked to the Australian. Offers as high as 2.5 million pounds have already been rumoured to have been made. This list of interested clubs will only increase from now until the next transfer window opens on May 13th.
At the moment all the talk about securing Kewell have focused on his positives. Drawing on his Successful tenure at Leeds United from 1995 – 2003, his rare flashes of brilliance in the red devils Guernsey, and a CV that reads a champions league, F.A cup and UEFA cup title as well as a world cup appearance for his country in 2006. However when read between the lines, the honor roll appears less appealing. Kewell has netted only 5 goals in all professional matches since 2003 and has been substituted in almost half of the matches he has played in that time frame. In all three of Liverpool’s titles during Kewells stint (Champions league, FA cup, and EUFA cup) he was substituted when Liverpool were either behind on score or even.
Questions have to be asked about Harry’s ability to overcome his horrendous injuries and regain his fitness and his ability to deliver on big stage occasions.
For an individual who promised so much since his debut in the English Premier league as a 17 year old in 1995, he has delivered nothing except rare flashes of brilliance, further reminding us of the player we once expected him to be. It seems however that these small cameos are enough to keep clubs queuing up for the wingers services. Cubs with money will always take the gamble with Kewell. His common reference within the media as “Australia’s finest football export” is true when it comes to talent; however talent only gets you so far. For Harry Kewell his talent has taken him far. One can only wonder how far he could have really gone.
Once again on the weekend it was evident that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitiez has finally lost patience with the Australian striker. A long time fan of Kewell and one who has persisted with the talented left footer despite his endless list of injuries, Benetiz appears to have finally made his decision. Injuries and poor form has hampered Kewell throughout his time at Liverpool playing only 136 matches in five years with a poor return of only 16 goals. This season alone he has only played 13 matches, without finding the net.
At the moment all the talk about securing Kewell have focused on his positives. Drawing on his Successful tenure at Leeds United from 1995 – 2003, his rare flashes of brilliance in the red devils Guernsey, and a CV that reads a champions league, F.A cup and UEFA cup title as well as a world cup appearance for his country in 2006. However when read between the lines, the honor roll appears less appealing. Kewell has netted only 5 goals in all professional matches since 2003 and has been substituted in almost half of the matches he has played in that time frame. In all three of Liverpool’s titles during Kewells stint (Champions league, FA cup, and EUFA cup) he was substituted when Liverpool were either behind on score or even.
For an individual who promised so much since his debut in the English Premier league as a 17 year old in 1995, he has delivered nothing except rare flashes of brilliance, further reminding us of the player we once expected him to be. It seems however that these small cameos are enough to keep clubs queuing up for the wingers services. Cubs with money will always take the gamble with Kewell. His common reference within the media as “Australia’s finest football export” is true when it comes to talent; however talent only gets you so far. For Harry Kewell his talent has taken him far. One can only wonder how far he could have really gone.
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