For better or worse, the career of a footballer can be directly influenced by the choices that he makes off the field. Alan Shearer chose Newcastle United over Manchester United, this won him hero status with the Geordies but no silverware. Didier Drogba chose to leave his beloved Marseille for Chelsea and his decision was rewarded with Champions League and Premier League glory.
Whatever your views on the Olympics, it’s hard to escape the notion that there’s a discernible split in terms of enthusiasm across the country in general, and far more acutely, with regard to the football in particular. This divergence of views is, it seems, less than difficult to explain. After all, it already has a name – Hadrian’s Wall.
The new Premier League season is quietly yet quickly creeping up on us. The fixtures are out, teams are reporting back for pre-season training & playing friendlies and the transfer market is starting to spring into life.
Like it or nor, we live in an age of instantaneous 24/7 communication, and the use of social networking sites is keenly embraced by millions of people the length and breadth of the country.
Ever since signing for Liverpool in January of last year, the career of one Andrew Thomas Carroll has been the proverbial roller-coaster of emotions. A trophy, below par performances, important goals, heavy criticism from the press and a major tournament with England have seen Carroll become one of the most talked about footballers of the last 18 months. And that enormous £35million transfer fee has done nothing to stifle the talk.