Contemplating a Replacement

Recently, a new friend - only starting to understand the depths of my footie-mania - asked me who my favorite player is. After telling her about the genius that is Dennis Bergkamp for exponentially more time than she was probably hoping for, a sad thought occurred to me. This might be it for Bergy. Playing out the string in the Prem and an FA Cup Final in Cardiff and then the decision over one more year at Highbury or retirement. Apparently, his original club Ajax has offered him a final year in the sun but his agent claims its Arsenal or a ride off into the Amsterdam sunset (which, come to think of it, doesn't sound so bad). This yielded two reactions - first an immediate price check on flights to Wales for the FA Cup final because it might be the last chance to see him play live. The second was to start contemplating who might serve as a replacement if the unthinkable were to happen. Sounded like a blog entry (or more likely a series of entries) waiting to happen, so here goes...

First, some criteria...
Creativity - He needs to exhibit the same type of sublime skill that turns a normal looking play into something special that few could pick out and even fewer could execute.

Personality - There are too many guys who have the creative skill but are either wusses or WAY too impressed with themselves

Loyalty - It isn't necessary that they play for Arsenal but it would certainly be a bonus. Inter Milan or Ajax would be a nice consolation prize. Teams I currently have little to no feeling for one way or the other would be fine. Absolutely cannot play for Man United - one must have standards.

Novelty - Its a little to easy to pick someone who's already a stud in their prime, that bandwagon has already been and gone. Part of the appeal of rooting for Bergkamp was having first seen him early in his career playing for Holland in the '94 World Cup and getting in on the bandwagon early. There will definitely be a premium on guys who haven't entered their prime yet.

Locality - Sort of hard to root for Germans (other than Jurgen Klinsman) and Italians because of their preferred style of play - and I say this despite those two countries representing the lion's share of my family heritage. Also hard to root for the Spanish, Brazilians and Argentinians due to their tendency to (in the immortal words of Mr. Langlais) roll around on the ground like they're on fire at the slightest touch. None of the above are out of the running (unless they play for ManYoo - Sorry Mr. Heinze), but there will definitely be a premium placed on Americans, Brits, the Dutch, and random Eastern Europeans.

The First Batch of Contenders
Eddie Johnson - fortunately, I documented jumping on this bandwagon not too long after this blog started in August. Potentially the first American superstar on the international scene. Has speed and finishing ability and somehow the ball just seems to find him at the right time. On the downside, he's been linked to ManYoo and he really doesn't bring much in the way of creativity to the game. More of a traditional center forward type.

Dean Ashton - despite the amount of gushing I've done over young Mr. Ashton in this space over the last month and a half or so and my claim to being the driver of his bandwagon and insistance that he will move from Norwich and become the next great Arsenal striker, I'll have to see a few more games before deciding if he's got the creative spark to be more than merely a great forward. His outside of the foot chip to the far post gave me some reason to hope, but I haven't seen a transcendent pass from him that turns a mediocre teammate into a goalscorer. If he transforms himself from Future-Arsenal-Striker Dean Ashton to Arsenal Striker Dean Ashton, that'll certainly help his cause. Singlehandedly beating ManYoo for lowly Norwich certainly helps his cause - its always good to see Fergie THAT red in the face.

Freddie Adu - who would have guessed that there would be a second American on the list. All the potential to be the guy but its probably too early to tell if he'll mature into someone worthy of being "the guy" for the next 10 to 15 years. His goals for DC vs. LA at RFK where he danced around 5 guys in the box certainly gives one hope, but he needs to find more consistency and gain about 20 more pounds before he gets serious consideration. Doesn't hurt that he plays for DC and I saw that goal live. A ton of "I was there from the very start" bonus points.

Arjen Robben - skill-wise, the closest thing so far - he's more of a wing player than Bergy but every time he touches it, there's a chance that something outstanding is going to happen. Can't be a coincidence that Chelsea was winning games 1-0 while he was hurt and 4-0 when he was healthy. Has the passing skill, the shot, and at least a little grit. There are three things holding him back right now 1) the silly way he runs - hard to take him as seriously as I should because of it; 2) he plays for Chelsea (not a disqualifier, but not good); and 3) his propensity to be injured. Granted, Bergkamp has been injured a lot the last couple years but he's old like me so I understand that. Robben is barely into his 20s and is missing games in big chunks.

Fracsesc Fabregas - The first goofy haircut may be too much to get over and the fact that it was followed by the current (slightly less) goofy haircut doesn't help but the kid is 17 and playing central midfield for Arsenal...well. Has made some excellent passes and some fantastic runs. Like Freddie, the jury will probably be out on him for at least another year as he works his way into the side and gains some strength and maturity. Hopefully, getting into the English game early will cure him of the Spanish propensity for diving and flailing on contact but it hasn't seemed to for Christiano Ronaldo (who along with Rooney would be on the list if they weren't ManYoo guys and, in Rooney's case, assholes).

Robin van Persie - The presumptive choice around Highbury because he's Dutch and playing the same position as Bergkamp. His last three goals have all been fantastic but I'm not ready to hand over the title quite yet. He carries himself like a petulant child and hasn't done nearly enough to prove that the results are worth putting up with that kind of attitude yet. He's young and that may work itself out, but even if it does, I'll have to overcome the first impression.

Yakubu - Doesn't fit very many of the criteria but gets into the contest based on his contribution to my beating down of Kris in fantasy soccer last season and his singlehanded beating of Man United at Old Trafford last year. If he actually gets to play for a decent club one of these days, who knows, his candidacy could gain momentum.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink - On name alone, he's on the list. He's a high scoring Dutch forward which just pushes him further up the list. I must admit I haven't seen him play yet but am looking forward to the Champion's League semi-final vs. AC Milan this week and hopefully will have the chance to evaluate him in the EPL next year if the rumored move to Tottenham comes through.

That's all for now - more contenders to come and then, eventually, the narrowing down of the choices.