THIERRY HENRY – Is the jury still out?

I’ve always held the opinion that Thierry Henry was slightly overrated, even when he was at his peak. This may sound an outrageous comment in the context of what he’s achieved, but I think top players are based on their ability to do something special when it really matters. So what of this outrageous statement you may think? Thierry Henry has won the French Championship, has won two Premierships, two FA Cups, the World Cup (as a squad player), Euro 2000, and played in a Champions League final, not to mention the 2006 World Cup Final.

Now, I want to make it clear, that I am not questioning Henry’s immense ability. Some of the goals he scored, especially in his eight years at Arsenal, were quite simply breathtaking.
However, as I saw him score his diving header in the Stade de Gerland on Tuesday evening, it reminded me of the argument I have had many times over the years with my friends. I have always held the opinion that ‘Thierry Henry is big game bottler’, and there is some proof.

The Frenchman has played in numerous semi finals and finals for club and country, and, excluding the Euro 2000 semi final v Portugal, he has never scored. Granted that game in 2000 was a big match, but that was before he was truly recognized as one of the world’s best strikers, let alone one of the world’s best players.

In 1998, he played in the Champions League semi final for Monaco, but was disappointing and failed to score. In the 1998 World Cup, he did score goals a plenty against mediocre teams in the group stages, but in the knockout stages failed to score, including the semi final against Croatia. Football geeks among you will point out that he was predominantly used as a substitute in that tournament. However, France also regularly went to extra time, and he still proved ineffective.

He was, it must be said, young and raw at this time. He was still playing like an old fashioned winger cum striker, cutting inside at every opportunity. After a disappointing stint at Juventus, he joined Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger transformed him into one of best strikers in the world. He was prolific, two footed, a scorer of long range and short range goals, a creator, free kick taker, penalty taker, corner taker and unequivocal star man. He was also, the the best player in England for probably three years.

However, despite regularly scoring 25 + goals for Arsenal seven seasons in row, he often failed to perform on the big occasion. He failed to score in the 2000 UEFA Cup Final, and was largely ineffective. He failed to score in both the 2002 FA Cup semi final and final, and was quiet in both games. Arsenal did win the title that year and Henry was prolific, but, during the title run in, Dennis Bergkamp and Freddie Ljungberg were the real heroes, whilst Henry took a back seat, the majority of his goals coming before the spring months. Aged 25 and at the peak of his powers, Henry went to the World Cup finals as arguably the world’s best player, but came back with no goals and a red card as France, the pre- tournament favourites', crashed out in the group stages.

In 2003, Henry again failed to score in both the semi final and final of the FA Cup, again proving ineffective in both games. He also conveniently stopped scoring during the title run in, as Arsenal crumbled under the pressure of Manchester United's late charge. Arsenal led by 7 points at Christmas, with Henry in blistering form.

In 2004, Arsenal lost in the Champions League quarter finals to Chelsea and the semi finals of the FA Cup to Manchester United, with Henry again failing to deliver on the big occasions.
His saving grace however, was his outstanding hat trick versus Liverpool in the following game. It was a crucial game which pretty much delivered the title to Highbury that year. If I had to stick my neck out, I would say that is the one and only game that goes against my theory. Arsenal’s 'untouchable' team of 2003-2004 remained unbeaten all season in the league and was built around the precocious Henry, but the pressure was really on Arsenal in that game, and Henry delivered. He went to Euro 2004, as the best player in Europe, bar none, but, again, he proved a failure and was horribly ineffective in a despicable quarter final defeat to the eventual winners, Greece.

Throughout this time, Henry had, like his team, failed to transfer his awesome domestic form onto the European stage, his team never having gotten past the last eight of the Champions League. However, in 2006, the ‘Fabregas inspired’ Gunners made it to the final in Paris. Henry did not score in the semi final versus Villarreal, or the final against Barcelona. In that final he missed a number of makeable chances. They were chances that, in the ‘run of the mill’ games in the Premiership, he would put have put away with ease..

The 2006 World Cup could be perceived, by many, as being a successful tournament for Henry. France got to the final, and Henry scored the winner against Brazil in the quarter final. This, undoubtedly, was a huge game, they don’t come much bigger. However, in the semi final and final against Portugal and Italy, he again fell short, both in goal scoring terms and his usual, very high level of performance.

Henry’s incredible displays in an Arsenal shirt created a level of expectation almost unrivalled. He is a legend, and probably the club's greatest ever player. He left in 2007, and is now, without doubt, past his brilliant best. The Barcelona team he is currently playing in, however, has a great chance of winning the Champions League. Maybe Henry will finally deliver in that crunch match, on the biggest stage, a Champions League semi final or final. I do have to admit, as I watched the Frenchman throw himself in where it hurts at the far post on Tuesday night, I thought to myself ‘wow, Henry, scoring on the big occasion?’.

This may seem a very harsh assessment of a truly gifted player, who at his peak, was as good as any player I’ve even seen. It could also be said, that he didn’t perform in the biggest games and in the latter stages of seasons because he was tired and had carried his team so much previously. Others may say, that he was often marked out of and kicked out of these massive games. Maybe he was a target and was picked upon.

No player is untouchable, and I still feel Henry needs to prove his temperament when it really matters. He is not the main man anymore, Lionel Messi is. Maybe this season is Henry’s time to prove to any lingering doubters that he is the man for the big occasion. I do though, still have my doubts. I believe his time has passed.

NO PAIN IN SPAIN

England’s defeat in Seville last week was no big deal as far as I’m concerned. As good as Spain were to watch, the slick incisive passing of Xavi, Iniesta and Alonso was what we’ve come to expect from them. Spain always had wonderfully gifted footballers. I can remember the teams they had between 1994 and 1998. They were always superb to watch, but fell at the quarter final hurdles in 1994 and 1996 and didn’t even get past the group stages in France 98.

It is only now that Spain have got that terrifying cutting edge with Torres and Villa, possibly the two best strikers in the world (although I happen to think Villa is a one trick pony, who is best remembered for being the top scorer in Euro 2008, but actually didn’t score after the first two games, and didn’t play in the final). Some of you reading this may point out that Spain had Raul in recent years, but I always felt he was spoilt at Real Madrid, where he was being fed delicious service by players such as Redondo, McManaman, Figo and Zidane. He has often flopped on the pressure cooker of the world stage.

It has to be remembered that England, despite being deservedly beaten 2-0, were without arguably their five best players. They were certainly without their three star players in Gerrard, Rooney and Rio Ferdinand, all of whom are world class, and also without Walcott and Joe Cole, the latter who is becoming worryingly injury prone. Both of these players are capable of running at players, making space or creating for others, whilst Gerrard and Rooney can win the game at the drop of a hat, with one piece of magic.

Whether these players would have made a difference in this game is of course, now, immaterial, but Spain were at virtual full strength (Fabregas doesn’t always start) and that doesn’t seem to have been mentioned much in the press over the last week. It’s not making excuses, it’s just a fact. If this game had been in the World Cup or a World Cup qualifier, at least four of those five players mentioned would have started the game for England.

England have come along way under Capello. They are playing with a lot of self belief and keeping possession a lot better, but how many of those players who started vs Spain would be in Capello’s first eleven? Jagielka, for all his good form, would not be in front of Ferdinand, whilst Downing, Wright Phillips and one of Barry and Carrick (who is in splendid form) would also probably drop out. Regarding the front two of Heskey and Abgbonlahor, again at least one would drop out, although it seems Heskey has become a firm Capello favourite. Also, Glen Johnson, as talented as he is, may struggle to keep his place following Gary Neville’s somewhat unexpected return to form and fitness.

The likelihood is that only five of that team would be in Capello’s first eleven which speaks volumes for the fact that England cannot be judged on this defeat. Capello has done all that’s been asked of him, winning all four of his World Cup qualifiers, including wins in Belarus and Croatia. The immediate future looks bright for England.

I am not saying we are going to win the World Cup in 2010, but I am pretty tired of the critics attacking the technical ability of English players. That is not the issue here. Argentina, for example, have flopped consistently in the World Cup since 1990, and they have an unrivalled pool of ‘technical’ players, according to many critics. They always enter the World Cup among the favourites, but in recent years have massively underachieved. The issue is harnessing the massive inflated ego’s and superstar status' of the players we have at our disposal. Capello is a man who can do that. He has worked with some of the greatest players of all time, as well as some of the biggest ego’s.

It is important to remember, that in last year’s Champions League Final, 10 of the 20 outfield players who started that game were English. Gerrard, Beckham, Rooney, Carrick and Joe Cole are technically as good as most players in the world. For instance, nobody can strike a ball like Steven Gerrard and nobody can deliver a cross as well as David Beckham. Rio Ferdinand is as comfortable on the ball as any defender in world football, whilst Michael Carrick is also a wonderfully accurate and natural passer of the ball.

So, I would like to make a suggestion. Do pundits and football fans alike, confuse keeping possession with technique? I think so. Technique is an individual trait, whereas keeping the ball is all about teamwork, positional sense and coaching. That is where Capello comes into the equation, and I for one, am optimistic that England will be a true world force under his guidance.

TCHAU BIG PHIL!

Phil Scolari’s departure from Chelsea, was of course no surprise. Chelsea’s form had dipped alarmingly in recent weeks, and he was bound to be shown the exit door. I watched the goal less draw with Hull City at the weekend, and Chelsea lacked any sort of cutting edge. Nicolas Anelka is proving to be the sulking, overpriced player he has always been, and Hull were the team who looked more of a threat throughout.

This is not all down to Scolari however. He inherited an aging team. Carvalho (who has become very injury prone), Ballack, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba and even Malouda are all either over or around the 30 mark, whilst Deco, after such early promise has begun to look his age. He is a Scolari signing of course, and the World Cup winner should perhaps have deviated away from signing yet another 30 plus midfielder.

Another major factor is the form of Petr Cech. He is just not the same goalkeeper he was between 2004 and 2006. He is uncomfortable on crosses and even his shot stopping is not what it once was. He tends to push the ball out to the opposing strikers rather than away from goal. It’s a shame, and you must say his horrific head injury and performances at Euro 2008 have damaged his confidence. However he is still young enough to come back. I hope so, because I am a fan.

Scolari has also been a little unlucky. Michael Essien and Joe Cole, possibly their two best players, have been absent for most of the season, and Drogba is just not the same, hungry player he was before. However, Jose Bosingwa, whilst showing great form against the ‘weaker’ teams has been left wanting against the stronger teams. He is great going forward, but his positional sense is quite honestly shocking. Even Hull City were exploiting the Chelsea left side last week to great effect. Bosingwa is not even as good as Paolo Ferreira defensively, and that was pretty obvious at Euro 2008, where Portugal were defensively very vulnerable, and he in my opinion was the main culprit.

I believe, Scolari, with more time would have developed into an excellent coach at Chelsea. However, his lack of club experience in Europe was exploited by the other managers of the ‘big four’, Benitez, Ferguson and Wenger, who have taken 13 points from a possible 15 against Chelsea this season. Whilst easy to say in hindsight, all that early season promise was premature as they came across quite a few average sides in the early part of the season. It seems a long time ago now, but all the pundits were heaping praise on Chelsea during September and October. At Chelsea however, there is little time for dips in form or building a team that’s not winning.

I wish Scolari luck, as he seems like a likable chap. Avram Grant was also a likable chap. Was he more respected by the players than we or they thought? His record was actually pretty phenomenal.