Morning all.
‘He would never say it himself, but he is Dutch football.’
Those are the words of Dennis Bergkamp extracted from his book ‘Stillness and Speed’ and he is of course talking about the great Dutch footballer, Johan Cruyff, who so very sadly passed away yesterday. The footballing genius had been fighting Cancer but yet again, the vile disease won the battle.
Dennis, no stranger to the term ‘footballing genius’ himself, described Cruyff as being one of the best footballers in the world, a player light years ahead of everyone else. As a coach, he was very similar to Arsene Wenger as he never told Dennis what to do when he played. Neither needed to as both managers knew what our old number ten was capable of.
Johan Cruyff will always be remembered for his ‘turn’, for being ‘Mr Football’, ‘Mr Totaalvoetbal.’ As a player he won many awards, too many to mention and after retiring from playing, those awards didn’t stop as he became a top manager/coach at Ajax and then Barcelona.
Did you know he was the first ever Dutchman to be sent off for his country? He was honest, back in 1968 against Czechoslovakia…
RIP Johan, you truly were one of, if not the greatest footballer ever to play the game. My thoughts and prayers with the loved ones he leaves behind….
It’s a BH weekend here in the UK. Good Friday today so for all you chocoholics, enjoy.
Have a good Easter guys…..
Class. Johan and your contribution.
Thanks Iceman…
Good report rico to one of the true greats.
Thanks Andrew, he certainly was..
I see Robbie Fowler is questioning why Walcott is in the England squad. I think he has a point…
Such a gifted player. Watched him against Arsenal in the Fairs cup in 1970. He said of Charlie George who had just played a blinder, “he could be the next Di Stefano.”
I read that he had stopped smoking in 91.
He was a one off.
How can Theo be in the England squad when he is not first choice with his club?
Saying that Gibbs used to get a call up from Roy when he was not playing regularly.
Good post today Rico.
He did Marinello, think it was after having heart surgery…. Thanks re the post.
Re Theo, even when he does play he’s been pretty awful. Seems an odd selection as surely there is someone else who deserved a chance… Can’t see him playing much though over the two games, not with Kane and Vardy in such good form.
I’m offski guys, have family stuff to do and collect all my Easter eggs…. 😉
Have a good day…
Excellent report.
Good Morning Charlies and Elizabeths.
Good post Rico. Writing a report is simple but its difficult to write in a simple way. Yet you managed to put the tribute to Cruyff quite well.
Have to laugh at reports linking Barca with Ozil and 3 players coming our way. Imo AFC, if they were to sell, should ask for 80 million. No players from Barca please. All they want to do is return back. And I do not blame them either.
As long as AW invests the money back and gives us a better squad with superior players and gets rid of the dead wood than no player is irreplaceable.
Having said that we do need some more players like Elneny and with his mentality. One/two touch passing and movement.
Afternoon, good report Rico,
I do think the lure of Barca, could excite Ozil,
Assisting for the best strike force in the game could be quite appealing
Lets hope he puts pen to paper soon.
the sharp intake of breath in 1974 when he did that turn must have caused a worldwide butterfly effect . Even after all these years he is revered in Barcelona and the surrounding area. Top top player that was linked to us but strangely we did not shell out.
Was Wenger the manager of Arsenal back then?
No but Cruyff was linked as manager after Rioch
New post up..
Morning…