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

January 4th, 2010 | by: Sarah | Comments (7)

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.

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).

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.