Fan Sound Off: Ribery injures toe and Viera to join Man City

January 4th, 2010 | by: Sarah |

Hope everyone who celebrated had a nice holiday and a happy New Year!

While commuting to work today (which by NYC public transportation is bad enough as it is) I stumbled upon two stories which really just made my Monday even worse.

benzema-ribery

Ribery: Simply not his year (understatement)
First, Ribery injured his toe while training in Dubai with Bayern. Is it just me, or do we only ever hear about Ribery anymore regarding transfers or injuries. I will admit, I don’t watch the Bundesliga– but it has been a while seen I have heard anything great, even good about him. So, I’m hoping the more informed (or at least Bayern fans) can fill me in on anything good he has done lately. Oh wait, if we are to believe the media that he desperately wants to leave Germany then he probably doesn’t have many Bayern fans in his pocket. And, if the guy has been so injury prone this year– does he deserve a place in South Africa? Shouldn’t we reward competition- not who has the biggest reputation? Will he be the Viera of the World Cup (come along for the ride, but fails to play).

25_patrick__vieira

Vieira: 99% Man City Mercenary (not an understatement at all)
Okay, I know I have lectured about how this blog isn’t about club loyalties blah blah blah, but I also like to call a spade a spade. Anyone who isn’t from Manchester probably isn’t going Man City because it’s their dream club. For most of the players (who don’t fall into the exception previously listed), they are probably going for the money. I’m going to give Vieirathe benefit of the doubt and suggest that one of the primary motivations behind his move to Man City is playing time. I’m sure it helps that he and Mancini won three Serie A trophies together. He clearly wants to be back in the French side for the World Cup. But is he better than Lass, Toulalan, Diaby and Alou Diarra? As I write Diaby, I will admit I am chuckling a little bit- not because I don’t think he is talented but because Arsenal fans are always shouting about how Diaby pales in comparison to Vieira.

On the bright side, if he does make the move, maybe we will see Gary Neville attempt to stare him down again…if they are ever both healthy at the same time. Fat chance.

France World Cup Blog RSS Feed

Jean-François

Yeah, I just saw the article on the Fifa website about Ribery, “Holes were drilled into the toenails to release an accumulation of blood and relieve the pain in a bid to get the 26-year-old back on his feet as soon as possible.” That just sounds painful. However, I believe Ribery deserves a spot on the WC squad, a toe injury shouldn’t take too long to heal. He needs to take a break because the World Cup is more important then Bayern, I hope he realizes that.

Speaking of NYC public transportation, I just got a job in the city, I am not looking forward to using it. PATH is my favorite, it’s cheap. I hate it during rush though. Off hours it’s very nice.
Jeff

PV4 Rules!
Jeff

Sweet work with the new job JF.
Sarah

Jean-Francois: That sounds not only painful, but pretty disgusting (the toe procedure, not NYC public transportation).

Goodluck with the job. I’ve only taken the PATH train once and it wasn’t too bad. I actually prefer rush hour because at least people are just quiet on their blackberries. During off-hours you have to deal with stroller moms, screaming children and tourists. But, perhaps you have more patience than me. I actually just prefer to walk instead of taking the subway- but its been so cold here!
Jeff

New Yorkers! Vermont’s cold too.
Sarah

Jeff: True, Vermont is freezing. But everything else there is so amazing. Any state that bans billboards is worth the cold winters…

Everyone I’ve ever met who is from VT loves that place…
jeff

Yes. It’s lovable.