20 Mar 2019 09:40:36
Happy birthday El Nino!

Although I was fuming when he left. I believe time has healed my wounds! What a player he was for us, particularly in that first season.

A couple of questions, firstly for ED001. I know he was slowly declining in his last season for Liverpool but do you think his level would have dropped as bad as it was at Chelsea if he had decided to stay? I'm sure he'd have loved playing with Suarez.

And secondly, for ED002. Is there any specific reason he just didn't reach the heights he did at Liverpool for you guys? I know he won a few trophies but he was the best striker in the world at one point and I thought he'd be a huge success at Chelsea.

Thanks!

{Ed001's Note - yes his legs had gone.}

1.) 20 Mar 2019
20 Mar 2019 11:17:41
Thanks Ed. I remember he had a lot of injuries but I can't recall any serious ones. I guess he was just rushed back? We did seem very reliant on him at times.

What could have been. I'm sure with Suarez alongside he'd have scored more consistently still.

{Ed001's Note - no, it was just the type of player he was. He was explosive, those are the muscles that go early. That is the main reason why a lot of players who break through young fade out early, rather than because they emerge young. They are almost invariably like Torres and Owen, all about explosive pace, Sturridge is another one. Those muscles just suffer badly from injuries because of the huge loads put through them so quickly and the injuries affects the mind and the body to the point where the explosive force can no longer be generated as elasticity fades young and so the muscles can no longer cope.

Unless they alter their style of play, they never last long. Torres's skill came from incredible acceleration that gave him a split second over anyone else. Once it went, he was never the same player and it would not have mattered who was alongside him. He could have had Pele and Maradona and it would have made no difference.}

2.) 20 Mar 2019
20 Mar 2019 13:20:14
He only had one knee when we sold him for 50 mil. Doesn't sound such a huge fee but then it was massive. We got his two best seasons out of him and sadly injury halted his path to true legendry. Best striker at the club since God. Would have been the best in the world if prem defenders hadn't hacked his legs off.

Happy birthday el nino, magic in the air fenando. I have never felt any ill will against him, its was more aimed at Chelsea who had become the first English club to be able to buy anyone they wanted. They bought players just so rivals could not sign them. And then didn't play them. Ruined shaun Wright Philips career with that tactic.

Loved his face up to Terry on his debut and then scored 1 0 under rafa of course.

3.) 20 Mar 2019
20 Mar 2019 13:31:43
Thanks for your insight Ed. First class as always.

I have a feeling Brewster may be in that category as well. Hopefully his legs haven't gone already.

{Ed001's Note - that can be a problem with youngsters who look good at an early age, it is usually because they are just more physically developed than their age group.

And you are very welcome.}

4.) 20 Mar 2019
20 Mar 2019 13:41:04
We got rid of him at the perfect time lol but I wish him a very happy Birthday.

5.) 20 Mar 2019
20 Mar 2019 18:28:25
Do you think Mbappe will suffer the same?

{Ed001's Note - possibly but he is very languid in his movement.}

6.) 20 Mar 2019
20 Mar 2019 19:29:17
Explosive pace and sports are such an interesting balance with regards to diet, technique, playing time and then just plain luck. I'm a big basketball fan and its incredible the amount of analysis they do in regards to it.

I'm shocked Ronaldo and Messi have never suffered any serious/ reoccurring injuries as a result. Or how players like Robben have managed to maintain their pace despite frequent injuries.

7.) 20 Mar 2019
20 Mar 2019 20:05:35
It's the same in the NFL regarding wide receivers, Ed01 and Eamonsf. Anyone will tell you that having speed is not enough to play the wide receiver position for a long time in the NFL. You need to be able to actually run the route pattern designed for you. to perfection. If speed is all a wide receiver (who can't run the routes perfectly) has and the hamstrings and other muscle injuries start to go then he is toast.

Jerry Rice (the greatest receiver in NFL history) was not even quick let alone fast. However what he did have and what he worked on for hours on end thru out his very long career, was his ability to run the various route patterns to perfection. That's why he played for 20 years. Torres is like the wide receiver who only had speed and once that went, he was toast.

8.) 21 Mar 2019
21 Mar 2019 07:09:43
Montana goes long to Rice 🙌

Legends 👍.