REST IN PEACE SIR BOBBY

 

Image Credit- Manchester United FC

The footballing world lost one of its greats as Sir Bobby passed away on 21st October 2023. Sir Bobby Charlton was indeed one of the greatest players to play this beautiful game. Sir Bobby played as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder and even as the left winger. He was a prolific goal scorer for both his club and country. 

The man who rose from the ranks. The man who overcame the tragedies. He was the part of the legendary Busby Babes who ruled the English Football in the 1950s. However, the Munich Disaster of 1958 took them away from us. Luckily Sir Bobby survived the Munich Aircraft Disaster. But it was never going to be easy to come out of that trauma. 

However, Sir Bobby with his sheer dedication and will power became one of the best players the beautiful game has ever seen. He won it all. The Leagues, The FA Cups, The Champions League, The World Cup as well as the Ballon D'Or. However, it is not only because of the trophies and honors that he is remembered but, also because of his ethics on and off the field. His conduct defines the tradition in which the beautiful game has to be played. 

One will always fall short of words while talking about Sir Bobby Charlton. However, Gary Nevile has given a beautiful tribute to Sir Bobby in his recent podcast.  

To listen to Gary Nevile, Click Here. 

THE MAGICIAN OF STAMFORD BRIDGE

Author- Shubham Priyadarshi

Image Credit- Sky Sports. 

 "I'm signing for the Champion's League winner."

This was the message with which Eden Hazard confirmed his signing. But this was not the best team in Europe. It was a team with all the stars entering their twilight and a club whose burden was to be shouldered by him, of which he would be, true to his nature, indifferent.

He first came into the limelight when Zinedine Zidane talked about a player from Belgium playing for Lille as a player that had impressed him the most. He then signed for Chelsea. During his seven years with us, he developed into one of the best players in the world and, arguably, the best player in the league. Those who did not watch him play week-in, week-out might find the comparisons with Neymar's and Salahs of this world as comical. However, those who did watch Chelsea play regularly knew his caliber. For large parts, it was a one-man carry job. None of the players to whom Hazard is compared had to shoulder such a burden. And if they did, none of their shine could hold a candle to Hazard when he was shining at his brightest.

The low center of gravity, the dribbling, and the sudden burst of acceleration, along with other attributes, made him the most sought-after prospect in world football, which ultimately culminated in a record bid by the biggest club in the world. However, what was supposed to be the fulfilment of a childhood dream soon turned into a nightmare. Hazard in Real Madrid across four seasons only played as many matches as he played for Chelsea in just over a season. For some reason, he was not indifferent. Or perhaps his indifference did not permit him to disregard his failings anymore.  

I think I am not wrong in saying that when Chelsea fans remembers him, they will remember, apart from his natural ability, the child-like joy with which he played, which joy translated to jaw-dropping goals, dribbles, and performances.

Not so long ago, Chelsea won its second Champions League. Since then, it has undergone as many changes as a club could, resulting in a loss of identity. If only there was someone like Hazard around, they would not be in this state. Alas, with his retirement, there is no one like him!

JUST JOSE THINGS

 

Image Credit- EL Mundo. 

Numerous Football Fans would like to lock Jose Mourinho up and throw away the key because of his career and behavior. However, it is interesting to note that in May 2007, Mourinho was detained after an altercation with his pet dog, though it wasn't quite as severe, but Mourinho did spend a night in the cells. The incident happened when Mourinho refused to allow police to confine the family dog after it purportedly left the country without the necessary vaccinations. When police attempted to grab the puppy, who was given the name Gullit in honor of Chelsea icon Ruud, Mourinho let it go, and he later received a warning for obstructing officers.

"We had an imported Portuguese dog. The dog got all the necessary shots, and everything was in order, but the English authorities wanted the canine quarantined," according to Mourinho. The dog was so tiny and frail. The children were quite little and smitten with the dog. "The police made an attempt to enter the home in order to place the dog in quarantine. I seized it and placed it in my backpack before jumping out the window and escorting her to a friend's house without them noticing me." 

They took me to the police station because they saw it as a possible obstruction of justice. I had to respond to inquiries. To fix the issue, I had to call a lawyer. "That dog never forgot it and is still madly in love with me."

 Just Jose Things. 

REFERENCES- 

1. Rory O'Callaghan, Jose Mourinho Once Jumped Out of a Window to Evade the Police to Avoid His Dog Being Quarantined, Sports Bible. 

2. Garry Hayes, 20 Infamous Chelsea Scandals, Bleacher Report. 

THE IMPOSSIBLE

 

Image Credit- Hindustan Times. 

21st century football has become all about money. Clubs with massive investments win silverware, whereas the clubs with weak finances struggle to perform at the big stage. However, 19 years ago a young Portuguese Manager turned the footballing world upside down when he lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy with a small club like Porto F.C. I am calling Porto a small club because it stands nowhere in front of the European Powerhouses. It might be a big club in Portugal, but is nothing in front of clubs from England, Spain and Italy. 

However, in the 2003-04 season it came out from nowhere and lifted the most prestigious trophy which club football can offer. A young Jose Mourinho led his side to the greatest triumph. In the process he knocked out heavyweight Manchester United in Old Trafford. Furthermore, in the final of the tournament, they just blew AS Monaco 3-0 to clinch their second Champions League title. It is interesting to note that in those two years in Porto, Mourinho won back-to-back League titles, won the Portuguese knock-out tournament and also lifted the Europa League trophy. 

He won a total of 6 trophies in just 2 seasons. He literally did the impossible. No wonder why we consider him the Special One. 

CARABAO CUP AND MANCHESTER CITY: POST 2

 

Image Credit- Reuters. 

Carabao Cup is to Manchester City what the UCL is to Los Blancos. You really can't win a Carabao Cup game against City. They won it four times in a row between 2017 and 2021. But, in the last 2 seasons we have had two different champions- Liverpool (2022) and Manchester United (2023).  However, it is pertinent to note that Manchester City were currently in their best of forms. They won a treble few months ago and were eying for a quadruple this time. 

However, the 2023 Carabao Cup Runners-Up Newcastle United had a different plan.  They did the unthinkable. They eliminated Manchester City from a competition that is essentially theirs. Alexandar Isak scored the only goal of the game and took his side to the next round wherein they will face the defending champions Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Men in Blue played an attacking game. They had possession. They had their shots. They had their chances. Unfortunately, they failed to breach the Newcastle defense. 

 This is football. One day you are up. Another day down. And on a particular day anybody can knock anyone down. 

HEY JUDE

 

Image Credit- beIN Sports.

Spanish Giants Real Madrid signed Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund on a six-year deal on June 14, 2023.  After signing for Los Blancos, Bellingham said that the respect that England has for Real Madrid is very high and that he wants to become one of the greatest players in club history. 

On August 12, 2023, Jude Bellingham made his Real Madrid debut. And Boy! What a debut it was. He scored a close-range strike from a corner kick in a 2-0 away victory over Athletic Bilbao.  In his second game, a 3-1 away triumph against Almera on August 19, he not only scored a brace but also helped Vincius Junior with an assist. He continued his goal-scoring form in the third game as well, heading in a late winner against Celta Vigo to help Los Blancos maintain their unblemished league start with a 1-0 away victory. Due to his brilliant performance, Bellingham became the first Englishman to win La Liga's Player of the Month title in August after tallying four goals and one assist in his first three league games.

In his first game at the Santiago Bernabéu on September 2, 2023, Bellingham scored in the 95th minute against Getafe to win the game for Madrid with a score of 2-1. As a result, Bellingham joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepillo as the only players to score in each of their respective teams' first four competitive games. Bellingham also tied the five-goal total of Real's all-time leading scorer. In an interview with Real Madrid TV after the game, Bellingham said that the moment he scored was "the loudest moment" he had ever heard in a stadium. He also said that he "got goosebumps" as the crowd sang "Hey Jude" at the conclusion.

On September 20, Bellingham scored in stoppage time once more to give Real Madrid a 1-0 victory over Union Berlin at home in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League for the 2023–24 season. This was Bellingham's first goal in a European competition for Madrid. Bellingham joined Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco, and Marco Asensio as the only players to score in their La Liga and Champions League debuts for Real Madrid. He continued his merry form in the second game as well as Real Madrid got past Napoli in their second Champions League Game. 

The impact which Bellingham has had over Los Blancos is amazing. Will the rising Prince become the King of Madrid. The answer lies in the womb of time.  But, for the time being it's all good in the Madrid Camp.