Superb read, unless your name is Carragher!! [Archive]

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MATTY11

11-02-2011, 10:46 AM

Not sure if this has been posted elsewhere, but it is a great read....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/11/xavi-barcelona-spain-interview

kolinkins

11-02-2011, 10:56 AM

Interesting how highly he rates Rooney and Scholes.

And Carragher and Terry's football limitations have not gone unnoticed.

kolinkins

11-02-2011, 10:57 AM

MATTY11

11-02-2011, 11:01 AM

My single biggest gripe with English football summed up in one quote:

"You watch Liverpool and Carragher wins the ball and boots it into the stands and the fans applaud. There's a roar! They'd never applaud that here."

I must admit that did make me smile.....I would like to take Xavi to a Palace match and ask his opinions of our Claude :-)

richdeniro

11-02-2011, 11:08 AM

Great interview.

With all the money the FA has... or had... they should have hired Johan Cruyff to be our technical director years ago.

Kipungu

11-02-2011, 11:08 AM

Entertaining read. I agree with what he said about the other team making it boring with the style they play. Need more technical flair in the game, too many brutes.

CPFC_R_GREAT

11-02-2011, 11:23 AM

So you're saying we don't need a DM we need more AM's... :)

stinky

11-02-2011, 11:35 AM

Poor Jamie Carragher. Mentioned a few times there. Great interview though. Love how much he loves the English game, despite his thoughts about certain players.

Loved the 'half a touch' comment too. Drummed into them at such an early age. Pass pass pass. Don't dwell. Brilliant

ElwissAtMemphis

11-02-2011, 11:41 AM

To be fair, he does say that "Carragher and Terry are necessary, brilliant, ..."

I doubt whether either of them would be too unhappy with that. I think that the point about the English habit of hoofing the ball into Row Z is as much about gamesmanship and trying to run the clock down as it is about footballing ability. He clearly says that Puyol doesn't have great technical ability either. It's about footballing philosophy rather than just talent.

TheMexicanHorse

11-02-2011, 12:02 PM

Interesting how highly he rates Rooney and Scholes.

And Carragher and Terry's football limitations have not gone unnoticed.

To be fair whilst I'm not a massive fan of either (Carragher or Terry), I'd happily have "limitations" to take the career and finances they have earned from the game....

TheMexicanHorse

11-02-2011, 12:05 PM

My single biggest gripe with English football summed up in one quote:

"You watch Liverpool and Carragher wins the ball and boots it into the stands and the fans applaud. There's a roar! They'd never applaud that here."

Different culture. Bit like comparing the Championship with Serie B. Pointless exercise.

You really need to read the book: The Italian Job, for an all round viewpoint of the both the positives and negatives of English and Italian football.

Now the EPL get's a lot of silly comments on here from people at times, but part of the reason the league is so successful, (there has never been a league like the EPL before in the terms of viewing figures, income, popularity and general worldwide appeal) is because of the passion shown by players and fans alike.

cpfc4evandeva

11-02-2011, 12:06 PM

I found the interview amazingly belittling to clubs like ourselves.

Whilst I agree that it's nice see a team pass the ball around, whether Xavi likes it or not, there is a place in football for players like Matt Lawrence.

CrawleyEagle

11-02-2011, 12:08 PM

Sounds like a nice chap. Hate how the interviewer asks so many questions about England/English football with the view we have the best league/football/players in the world.

CPFC2010ANDON

11-02-2011, 12:17 PM

Interesting to read about Spanish players returning from England a better player, and the fact that he rates the fans of English clubs highly, and finally how high he holds Wembley as the place to play.

I would not say he disrespected or criticised anyone in that interview. He just stated what he sees, and I agree with it all really.

Kipungu

11-02-2011, 12:36 PM

So you're saying we don't need a DM we need more AM's... :)

I wouldnt go that far, just that "too many brutes" could be reduced to fewer physical hoof types overall in the game. :p

limited_edition

11-02-2011, 12:36 PM

1ffd

Different culture. Bit like comparing the Championship with Serie B. Pointless exercise.

You really need to read the book: The Italian Job, for an all round viewpoint of the both the positives and negatives of English and Italian football.

Now the EPL get's a lot of silly comments on here from people at times, but part of the reason the league is so successful, (there has never been a league like the EPL before in the terms of viewing figures, income, popularity and general worldwide appeal) is because of the passion shown by players and fans alike.If we really want to do well at international tournaments, we need to change that culture. Or at least tweak it a bit.

Xavi is a legend as a player. The last time Barça won the Champs Lge at Wembley, it was against Sampdoria in 1992. I think Guardiola was playing for Barça, and Koeman scored the winner. I think Lombardo might have been in the Samp line up.

As for Xavi the bloke, as a Spanish friend told me: like so many of the Spain squad, he is pretty down to earth. She said it was a big reason why Spain have done so well in the last few years, great team spirit, allied to the technical brilliance. Contrast this to the England team in SA and I doubt we had that sort of team spirit given JT laughable attempts to stage a mutiny with his press conference. And other players coming out with primadonna shite like: 'we're bored stuck in this hotel in the middle of nowhere'. I think it was the brilliant Özil of Germany who helped rip us to shreds in the 4-1 game who said something like: 'if you're bored on international duty, you really shouldn't be playing for your country. We're here to do a job. Not go on holiday.'

In fact, I'm not sure there are that many likeable, down to earth players in the England squad, given they probably believe all the hype that they are all world class because they play in the biggest, most hyped up, the league with the most dosh pumped into league in the Solar System. Nevermind their performances in international tournaments consistently make a mockery of the 'golden generation' nonsense.

But I digress a bit. I'd love to see Barça back at Wembley in May. Hopefully, they'll play Real Mierdadrid or Manure and give 'em a footballing lesson (not for the first time) and a real hiding.

Jordan's Jacket

11-02-2011, 12:39 PM

A great player and a perceptive mind, it would seem. He is right about Carragher, probably the most over-rated player of a generation.

cpfc4evandeva

11-02-2011, 12:41 PM

In fact, I'm not sure there are that many likeable, down to earth players in the England squad,

Oh I don't know you've got John Terry, Frank Lampard, 'Stevie G', Ashley Cole, Wayne Rooney, etc :)

the digger

11-02-2011, 12:45 PM

The name that comes up in these types of interviews that makes me most angry about the way football is structured in England is Le Tissier.

El Aguila

11-02-2011, 12:48 PM

Xavi is as cool as ****.
Also he's right, Puyol can't play a long pass but he'll always play a short one rather than hoof it, and there will always be someone nearby he can easily pass to.

hoskingt

11-02-2011, 01:14 PM

I think if an English player would have said this stuff we would think he was an arrogant twat.

Celestial Empire

11-02-2011, 01:32 PM

Even allowing for the translation and "editorial polishing", here is a bloke who is intelligent, has opinions and is articulate.
Name one English equivalent.

I bet he would love Victor Moses.

Celestial Empire

11-02-2011, 01:34 PM

I think if an English player would have said this stuff we would think he was an arrogant twat.

You are right, and that's half the problem.

AJ's right boot

11-02-2011, 01:39 PM

Amazing player.

kolinkins

11-02-2011, 01:42 PM

Even allowing for the translation and "editorial polishing", here is a bloke who is intelligent, has opinions and is articulate.
Name one English equivalent.

I bet he would love Victor Moses.

Beckham

sheepy

11-02-2011, 01:53 PM

My single biggest gripe with English football summed up in one quote:

"You watch Liverpool and Carragher wins the ball and boots it into the stands and the fans applaud. There's a roar! They'd never applaud that here."

Yes, but the single biggest gripe about overseas players is that they don't always show the same committment and pasion. Personally I prefer average players who run themselves into the ground rather than talented players who don't give a shit.

Vince Hilaire's Afro

11-02-2011, 02:17 PM

Heh heh check out his honours roll at the end of the article.

TheMexicanHorse

11-02-2011, 02:29 PM

If we really want to do well at international tournaments, we need to change that culture. Or at least tweak it a bit.

Your talking to the wrong person about the national team, I don't give a flying **** about them.

I'd rather see a stronger EPL than the England team doing well.

Part of the reason that EPL is so successful is because of the passion, the pace and the power that is involved.

Do all these elements effect England team's performance at a World Cup? Are we "worn out" by the time a major tournament comes around?

Yes, but it makes for a successful and entertaining league, and that is the most important factor for the continued worldwide appeal of the Premiership...

Vince Hilaire's Afro

11-02-2011, 02:37 PM

Your talking to the wrong person about the national team, I don't give a flying **** about them.

I'd rather see a stronger EPL than the England team doing well.

Part of the reason that EPL is so successful is because of the passion, the pace and the power that is involved.

Do all these elements effect England team's performance at a World Cup? Are we "worn out" by the time a major tournament comes around?

Yes, but it makes for a successful and entertaining league, and that is the most important factor for the continued worldwide appeal of the Premiership...
I don't see why a thriving domestic league and successful national team full of technically gifted players need be mutually exclusive.

1a86

brighton_eagle

11-02-2011, 02:45 PM

If we really want to do well at international tournaments, we need to change that culture. Or at least tweak it a bit.

Xavi is a legend as a player. The last time Barça won the Champs Lge at Wembley, it was against Sampdoria in 1992. I think Guardiola was playing for Barça, and Koeman scored the winner. I think Lombardo might have been in the Samp line up.

As for Xavi the bloke, as a Spanish friend told me: like so many of the Spain squad, he is pretty down to earth. She said it was a big reason why Spain have done so well in the last few years, great team spirit, allied to the technical brilliance. Contrast this to the England team in SA and I doubt we had that sort of team spirit given JT laughable attempts to stage a mutiny with his press conference. And other players coming out with primadonna shite like: 'we're bored stuck in this hotel in the middle of nowhere'. I think it was the brilliant Özil of Germany who helped rip us to shreds in the 4-1 game who said something like: 'if you're bored on international duty, you really shouldn't be playing for your country. We're here to do a job. Not go on holiday.'

I think a lot of this is to do with the Barca academy and the way they educate their players from a very young age. He mentions the Ajax model, and that also put a big importance on the player as an all round complete human being.

kolinkins

11-02-2011, 02:46 PM

It's the European model. The whole issue here is that even at u8 level, it's all about results.

DAS PHANTOM

11-02-2011, 02:46 PM

The current Barcelona side are a great, great team but I see no reason to try and change the style of the English game. The Premiership now has great technical quality added to the existing pace and power, it is truly the most diverse and balanced football league in the world.

Let us not forget that English clubs owned the champions league for about 4 or 5years, The Manchester Utd side of 07/08 was probably the greatest team English football has ever seen. They would have been the first side ever to win the Champions League back to back if Eto hadn't scored that weird early goal in the 2009 final. I remember when Man Utd came out the blocks at the start of that game, Barcelona looked like a bunch of school kids!

Celestial Empire

11-02-2011, 03:12 PM

Beckham

He can do mean chat about hair styles and our World Cup bid, but has nothing much to say about his profession.

DeadPanX

17-02-2011, 06:08 PM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/feb/11/xavi-barcelona-spain-interview

Great interview, Xavi comes across very down to earth.

I hope Palace, eventually, will model their youth academy on Barcelona's. Would love to see them live.

BulletEagle

17-02-2011, 06:16 PM

Why did you bump a thread to show a link that was mentioned in the opening post?

SpikeyMatt

17-02-2011, 06:18 PM

I've been whoring this article to mates and colleagues all week, and printed off 16 copies to give to members of my U14s squad. Xavi's advice about the movement and importance of keeping the ball; the simplicity of 'rondos' and whatnot is invaluable.

Certainly shows up the style of grassroots coaching for the abomination that it is.

LSEagle

17-02-2011, 06:20 PM

They would have been the first side ever to win the Champions League back to back if Eto hadn't scored that weird early goal in the 2009 final. I remember when Man Utd came out the blocks at the start of that game, Barcelona looked like a bunch of school kids!

Are you sure you're talking about the right match. Barca toyed with United in the '09 final. Granted United had an few early shots but that was pretty much the only chance they had the whole game.

This might jog your memory

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8060878.stm

DeadPanX

17-02-2011, 08:33 PM

Why did you bump a thread to show a link that was mentioned in the opening post?

I started a new thread which was then merged with this one with my existing post, thanks to the mods.

joe walker

17-02-2011, 10:44 PM

Sounds like a nice chap. Hate how the interviewer asks so many questions about England/English football with the view we have the best league/football/players in the world.

The interviewer is Sid Lowe, a Spanish-based journo who as far as I'm aware (based merely on his coverage and section of The Guardian's 'Football Weekly' podcast) prefers La Liga to English football.

I think he was using those questions to lure Xavi into those kind of answers, and if anything get those opinions drummed into the heads of these 'Prem is the best league in the world...but would he play well on a tuesday night at Hull' types you get. I like him.

Owngoal

17-02-2011, 11:03 PM