Player profile: Thierry Henry

February 21st, 2006 | by: Chriso | View Comments

Along with Ronaldinho probably the most exciting player in the world when he’s playing well, Henry’s already won the World Cup and European Championship with France and at 28 is reaching his peak.
Unfortunately like his club Arsenal, I don’t think France will have enough this year to allow him to pick up a winners medal.

As an Arsenal fan I know how devastating Henry can be, he’s the club’s record goalscorer after only seven seasons and the number of those goals that have been spectacular or involved some brillant piece of skill is incredible. The vast majority of Arsenal fans would say he’s the best player the club’s ever had.

When he plays for Arsenal though, he’s the main man, he’s got Wenger’s licence to go all over the place, left side , right side, and he makes so many of his goals himself or uses his fantastic speed down the wing to create for others.
When Ive seen him for France he doesn’t seem to have the same freedom, that’s Zidane’s job and Henry looks a lot less effective.

If Henry is going to have a good World Cup I think Domenech needs to make the most of his movement, let him drift out from the central position and make the most of his pace.
Japan/Korea was a disaster for Henry, he got sentoff after 25 minutes of France’s second game and the team went out in the first round. This year he needs a really big tournament to put the stamp on his career, something that fans around the world will remember him for in years to come.