Xabi - underrated genius?

[Montse]

Not a bad piece this on our Xabi.....

 

Alonso's Underrated Genius

Paul Grech

 

"His is not the mesmerising brilliance of a Ronaldinho, yet those boots are still capable of magic."

 

The day after they beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0, Liverpool fans were informed by one of the Sunday broadsheets that Xabi Alonso?s beautifully weighted 70 yard through ball that set up Djibril Cisse for the second goals was merely a ?hopeful punt from just outside the penalty box.?

 

It was one of those instances that genuinely make you wonder not only what match whoever wrote this was watching but also what he had been smoking or sniffing.

 

Sadly, whilst such misapprehension is inexcusable when coming from the press box, it is hardly uncommon. For there are still many under the impression that Liverpool?s only midfielder of note is Steven Gerrard.

 

After almost two yeas of playing in the Premiership, Alonso is still largely under-rated. Not by most Liverpool fans, who have long realised his brilliance, but rather by those whose opinion is too easily shaped by the occasional match highlights that they see.

 

His is not the mesmerising brilliance of a Ronaldinho, yet those boots are still capable of magic. All that anyone who is yet to be convinced should do is keep an eye on Alonso for any length of time. Only then will they appreciate just how precise his passing is ? irrespective of the distance involved ? or just how aware he is of what everyone is doing around him. It is only because Alonso is so talented that all this seems to come to him so effortlessly even if closely man marked.

 

In Benitez?s improving side, Alonso has become as central a figure as the captain. Whilst Gerrard is the heart of the side ? always pumping away and rushing forward ? Alonso is the mind. He is constantly picking the right options, putting players into a good position, ensuring that he himself is in the right spot not only to receive a pass but also to see that the Liverpool back four have plenty of cover.

 

Because Alonso is not just a fancy-dan, he can also tackle. Before his first game against Manchester United, there were those who voiced their reservation over his ability to stand up to Roy Keane. Benitez assured them that, being a Basque, Alonso would more than handle himself.

 

And it?s true. His tackling is as tough as that of Gerrard, only more judicious. At the latest Merseyside derby, with the captain sent off early on, Alonso ran and fought enough for two players. It is also because of his masterful show that Liverpool managed to overcome the fact that they were playing with ten men. It was probably his best game in a Liverpool shirt and certainly the finest showing of the afternoon yet no one seemed to pick this up.

 

On this occasion, even the Liverpool fans were guilty. Whilst late on in the game they were still serenading Gerrard ? the players whose foolish sending off had put his team in such a difficult position ? Alonso barely got a mention and that?s also down to the fact they?ve still to think up a chant for him. Another slight to this underrated genius.

 

clicky

[cymrococh]

they?ve still to think up a chant for him

Is he sure?

[KD07]

Is he sure?

 

It was one of those instances that genuinely make you wonder not only what match whoever wrote this was watching but also what he had been smoking or sniffing.

[Guest Sabre]

I can't state this often enough - Xabi is a footballing genius and I love him and I want to be him.

[johngibo YPC]

Is he sure?

 

whats the song to 'let it snow'? i like that one

[fyds]

Good to see others outside of our fans are finally seeing this though.

[pawlu]

My article picked up by YNWA! Fame, at last!

[surfaris]

the london press keep masturbating with 17yr old wonder suave fabregas.

 

xabi alonso any day for me. he s the true master.

[fyds]

My article picked up by YNWA! Fame, at last!

You wrote that? If so - fine effort young sir!

[Leo No.8]

My article picked up by YNWA! Fame, at last!

 

Nice one mate - good piece...

[fred milne]

We'll see how he develops yet, but Fabregas is better at his age than Alonso was.

I'm not sure comparisons are that meaningful, as Fabregas strikes me as being a different type of player to Alonso.

[Guest Scot]

I'm not sure comparisons are that meaningful, as Fabregas strikes me as being a different type of player to Alonso.

 

They're both from the same region of a country - of course comparisons are meaningful!

 

Who's better: Aldridge or Carragher?

[fred milne]

They're both from the same region of a country - of course comparisons are meaningful!

Sorry. My mistake.

[Guest Scot]

Sorry. My mistake.

 

Momo is black, Viera is black = obvious comparison.

 

Get with the programme, Fred.

[floyd]

Momo is black, Viera is black

and so is Tim Westwood

[Eiler99]

Vote for Xabi as player of the month here.

Edited April 6, 2006 by Eiler99

[Kite]

Vote for Xabi as player of the month here.

 

Done.

 

Wayne f***ing Rooney is presently ahead of him

[Owen1978]

Done.

 

Wayne f***ing Rooney is presently ahead of him

 

He's done f*ck all & lehman at 1?

[Jarg Armani]

are we singing xabi alonso to the tune of hava nagila these days? that'd be good.

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

On this occasion, even the Liverpool fans were guilty. Whilst late on in the game they were still serenading Gerrard ? the players whose foolish sending off had put his team in such a difficult position ? Alonso barely got a mention and that?s also down to the fact they?ve still to think up a chant for him. Another slight to this underrated genius.

 

clicky

 

That riled me...

 

You know why he's so good?

 

He wears black boots. KBB!

[Ombudsam]

go on then

 

Xabi Alonso (clap clap clap)

 

What more does he want.

[meepins]

On this occasion, even the Liverpool fans were guilty. Whilst late on in the game they were still serenading Gerrard ? the players whose foolish sending off had put his team in such a difficult position ? Alonso barely got a mention and that?s also down to the fact they?ve still to think up a chant for him

 

Didn't get that myself either.

[moptop46]

Very overated IMO.

 

I mean hes no Stevie is he?

[Zoob]

Vote for Xabi as player of the month here.

 

 

Xabi now leading on 21%

[Leo No.8]

Alonso and Fabregas are indeed completely different players.

 

The way I see it Xabi is the better passer (no slight on Fabregas who is an excellent, incisive passer - Alonso is just as good as anyone in the game) and a more intelligent, thinking footballer who is more likely to stay around the centre area of the pitch and dictate play from there.

 

Fabregas on the other hand is more all-action, 'box-to-box', likely to be involved winning the ball, then getting forward into the oppositions penalty area and be directly involved in goals either delivering a short killer pass or scoring himself.

 

Both are fantastic talents - each fits into his role within their respective teams perfectly and you could argue either player's case; but I wouldn't swap our Xabi for Fabregas or anyone else personally.