CATTLE MARKET
The January transfer window was also flung open last month, and the English Premier League went into a collective thirty one-day frenzy. Tiny clubs linked with world-class players; world-class clubs linked with tiny players; nobody linked with Nicklas Bendtner; it was as ludicrous and entertaining as always.
But what really stood out for me this year was the actual lack of activity from the clubs you really expect it from. Granted the numbers don’t actually support this argument, because the spending this year was a new record, but big clubs like Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool kept relatively quiet.
Let’s be fair, though, new players are something Pellegrini’s City side can go without. Already boasting a large squad of unbelievable talent, adding to it would be like wanting to add extra chocolate to a triple-chocolate gateau. You probably already have enough chocolate. Arsenal and Liverpool were pretty disappointing though. Here are two teams within touching distance of the top of the table, both with an excellent but comparatively smaller squad. Whether it’s fighting to win the league, or that coveted fourth Champions League spot, they should have made some strong signings to signal their intent. Instead, Arsenal snap up a Swedish midfielder who arrives with a pretty severe back injury, and Liverpool didn’t buy anyone. Bravo, lads. Good luck hanging on to those top spots. Of the big boys, Chelsea did the best business, there’s no doubt about that. After shipping Juan Mata off to Old Trafford, Maurinho replaced him with Nemanja Matic and Mohammad Salah. Quality and completely sensible signings. The Chosen One can talk all he wants about Chelsea not being favourites for the title this year but, with the quality he has, they’re favourites for me. On the other side of the table, kudos has to be given to Tony Pulis and Crystal Palace. Those of you who don’t follow English football much won’t know the names I’m about to mention but Jason Puncheon, Wayne Hennessy and Joe Ledley are players who won’t cost you millions, but might just keep you from getting relegated. Add to that the highly-rated Tom Ince, and you’ve got very successful transfer business from the Palace lot. West Ham couldn’t match that business. Nor could Fulham, and that’s why they’re almost certainly getting relegated.
A lot of talk over the last few months, both in England and across the world, has been the issue of homophobia in Russia. On the eve of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Vladimir Putin decides he hates homosexuality and will do what he can stamp it out of Russian society. Now, I’m not political in any way, but it’s hard not to be drawn into this incredible story. Sport has inevitably become involved in the argument, and in an amazing way. When history looks back on the Sochi Olympics in twenty, thirty, fifty years, it won’t be seen as just a sporting event. Sochi will go down in history as one of the defining shows of unity for human rights. Whether it’s simple petitions, silent protests, or athletes downright refusing to abide by certain restrictions, Sochi could do in 2014 what the Black Power Salute did in 1968.
It really is time for sport as a whole to enter the twenty-first century, when it comes to matters like this. Thankfully, it is starting to get there now – Nicola Adams and Tom Daly are great role models, for example. We need more people like this to step forward and break the taboo. At some point, it should stop mattering that a sportsperson is gay. We can all pretend we’re there now, but we’re not. It might take some time, but I do have faith.
Special mention also needs to go to Thomas Hitzlsperger, who announced his homosexuality to the world. Like most footballers, the retired German kept it hidden throughout his career, for fear of being ostracised. It was only less than twenty years ago that Englishman Justin Fashanu - who had also come out – committed suicide because of how he thought people treated him.For Hitzlsperger to do that now is a massive step forward for football, and I hope it continues.
BACK IN THE USSR!
15