february 26th
Our good old friend Edu is getting lots of nice coverage, and you have to say he deserves it. Although I’m sure most of you know the problems he’s had, it’s worth going back over them just to give you an idea of how much he’s gone through to get where he is today.
He arrived in England and was promptly sent home again because of dodgy paperwork, when at home he and his family were held at gun-point in their house and robbed, soon after his sister was killed in a road accident, and when he did finally manage to get over and get a game he pulled his hamstring and never really got a look in during his first few months.
In the ‘01 Double season he stepped up when injuries cost us Pires and van Bronckhorst and he played in the last third of the season, showing us what he could do. Defensively very good, creative, and looking like he could forge a lasting partnership with Vieira. Then came the World Cup and AW went out and bought Gilberto, limiting his first team appearances. This season he’s played in the cups, notably in the Carling Cup when as one of the senior players he took responsibility on the pitch when others were happy to hide (SW11), and has taken his chance again to show the boss what he can do in the first first team. Seven goals so far this season from central midfield is an excellent return.
‘Why the eulogy?’, you ask. Well, I’m just a little bit worried that a player as good as he is might not be happy to play second fiddle to his fellow Brazilian, especially when it’s obvious to everyone who the player in form is. It would be unrealistic of us to assume that there’s no real interest in him from clubs on the continent, because I’m sure there is. He loves the club though and we love him. I hope he stays a long time. And if anyone who knows Edu is reading this, tell him Barcelona is a shit place to live and Brazilian bashing is the new craze over here. It’s like the Rio Carnival, except with baseball bats. Honest.
Lauren on the second leg. Pires on the first leg and the second leg. Joe Royle on Clichy.
It’s still pissing it down over here, and ironically I’m mainly not on the plain.
