Brought up in neighbourhoods only 5 miles apart in Liverpool and at times viewed as possibly the best in the world in their positions, one question remains: can Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney's make a true impact on a global stage, or have they missed the bus?
Their careers started quite differently even though both had been recognised at a very early age as something special.
Steven Gerrard came into a Liverpool side who had purchased a squad full of international players and were attempting to regain the Premier League crown that they had called their own through the 1970s and 1980s.
He learnt quickly and was soon a dominating influence on a team with players regarded his senior, but the title was alwyays just out of their grasp. Changes in personnel, both at squad and management level, always looking for the final piece in the jigsaw, the quest for the Holy Grail began to look beyond even Gerrard's enthusiasm.
Nevertheless it was always Gerrard who dug deepest. He cut a frustrated figure as those around accepted that they perhaps did not belong at the top. Gerrard was not to be held back. He pulled his team to a Champions League win and gave the most brilliant performance in an FA Cup final since Stanley Matthews.
Rooney burst into a struggling Everton side at an even earlier age and was looked upon by the supporters as the one 'bright light' to hang their ambitions. He did not disappoint with some incredible performances, but his boxer's bravado had him straining at his manager's leash to play more minutes. David Moyes held back with reasons to ensure Rooney's proper development. Quoting the Ryan Giggs experiment, Moyes preached caution, Rooney departed.
At Manchester United Rooney was soon playing on the stage where his ability was witnessed by a much wider audience. He too was now playing in a team full of internationals and his celebrity rose accordingly.
Fast forward to the present and things are not quite the same.
Both players are compromised at clubs with 'financial' unrest and the stars do not shine so bright around Old Trafford and Anfield. More than ever the pressure has been put on Rooney and Gerrard to perform; to carry the weight of a club and a franchise. The pressure is enormous.
They are now managed at international level by a manager who struggles with the egos, tactics and language of his team. Following a dismal World Cup performance Fabio Capello still looks confused at the under-performance of his major players. Gerrard and Rooney laboured while other Premier League players flourished.
When the pressure mounted on Capello against Hungary on Wednesday night, he looked every much the dead-man walking. There was no umbrella this time but the rain clouds where gathering for the England coach. Who better to save the day for England than the expert fire-fighter himself - Gerrard. Capello may not understand where to play him, but he now knows why managers rate him above most others.
As Gerrard lashed out a half-volley in anger as much as confidence, Wayne Rooney sarcastically left the field once more like a pantomime villain. Without a care, or caring too much - he cut a frustrated figure.
Neither player can ever look back at their international career with pride. They are enigmatic at best for their country and are becoming weighed down by expectation at club level. Wayne Rooney can count his medals, but Diego Maradona was never remembered for his medals. Neither is Nicky Butt.
If their spark is not rekindled soon, then for all their glory - Gerrard and Rooney will have fallen short of what might have been. Perhaps the fire hsd long since now burnt out as they are asked to go to the well one too many times for both club and country?
No comments:
Post a Comment