Quote of the Moment

"Those who desire to treat politics and morals apart from one another will never understand either." - Rosseau


Saturday, June 12, 2010

The Gerrard Factor

No doubt many of you are enjoying the beautiful game, letting it tease and excite as though it were your mistress. She is incredible, non? Graceful and elegant at one moment and in an instant all together a different animal full of raw passion and intensity. If only your girlfriend/wife/friend-that-you're-dating-but-claim-you-aren't could be that for you. With a wealth of talent gracing the pitch, the choice of fantasy is limitless. But, for just a moment, let us entertain one in particular that marries fortune and fate.

It is that England is ready, that the stars have aligned and finally, fatefully, it is time. The manager is a strict tactician, a philosopher-sculptor who has crafted a squad from something raw and unrecognizable into an image of his ideal. That statue, lionized by the manager, has all of the elements necessary: a daring and aggressive strike-force, dominant and enveloping midfield, bulwark and pressing defence, and a keeper who’s name suits the country (no Gabe, not David Seaman).

But there is one more feature that fate has blessed this entity with, a young Scouse who’s club nickname is Captain Incredible, Steven Gerrard. Why is this such a factor you ask? What bearing does this have with such celestial notions of fate? Allow me to explain. Several years ago, I watched Liverpool play FC Porto in Toronto wif me mate Jordan. It was there that fate and fortune first conspired. As the teams had finished warming up and were walking off the pitch, I leaned over the railing and yelled “Steven will you sign my England kit?” He obliged. From that day forward, I have held a devotion to Gerrard that can only be rivalled by the likes of Rooney and Becks. I’ve had a picture of him in my wallet for four years and bought his jersey two years ago. A man that plays for Liverpool, the arch-rivals of my club Manchester United, I respect him as being separate from that faction. Some might call it a man crush, others that he is my doppelganger.

Now, as England embarks on a campaign to re-capture the World Cup, that same man has again been chosen by fate. JT, England’s former captain and lion on defence, was caught in a scandalous affair with ex-clubmate Wayne Bridge’s ex-fiance (complicated right?) = captaincy stripped. Rio Ferdinand, the vice-captain elevated to wearing the armband, has been so injury-plagued that he is no longer able to compete in the World Cup Finals = captaincy deferred. The next in line, the true heir was none other than Stevie G. The man who once signed my England jersey is now the captain of that same country.

England has a proper heart for its captain, a man who knows how to win, capable of grabbing a game by the throat and doing with it as he pleases. Time and time again he has proven this to be the case for Liverpool; who could ever forget that emphatic display he orchestrated against AC Milan those years ago to come from 3-0 down to win the Champions League. And so, with the stars aligning, my choice for England captain is finally a reality. Whether or not it pays dividends we will see, but remember this in the coming weeks: Gerrard will do with fate as he pleases. All we need now is for him and Frank to get along.

Today's match prediction: England 4, USA 1