There has been a lot of talk in recent years about successful and yet past-their-prime players moving to the United States to earn the big bucks and to continue their career in the American limelight. This began with David Beckham moving to LA Galaxy, with much of the commotion surrounding his wife, Posh Spice’s desire to hang out with Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise.
This sparked a hoard of moves from players who have made their presence felt in English teams, but who are no longer fit to keep their place on the field in the top teams. Freddie Ljungberg joined the Seattle Sounders in 2008, Landon Donovan returned home to play for LA Galaxy and Robbie Keane moved off to join him.
Interestingly though, when the MLS took its winter break both Keane and Donovan made short-term loan moves back home. Donovan’s returned to Everton and Keane has made his move to Aston Villa. There have even been rumours of Beckham making a return to Premiership, if even for a month or two.
Most surprising was the return of Thierry Henry to Arsenal for a two-month contract from the New York Red Bulls. In his first performance with the Gunners, he came on as a substitute against Leeds in the FA Cup. In a scoreless draw Henry arrived and, as if scripted, he controlled the ball and slotted it into the far corner in trademark fashion. The game ended 1 – 0, Henry’s goal the winner, sending Arsenal through to the fourth round.
This in a game when Arsenal had limited impact until the 68th minute when the Emirates lit up on Henry’s introduction. 12 minutes later he had scored the winner.
Not only is it nice to see the old favourite score another goal in the red and white, but it begs the question; if Henry is the game-changer in such a game, couldn’t he be a factor on a grander scale in a top team?
What is surprising is that the bigger teams aren’t attempting to reel in the old reliables. Top tier teams could obviously do with the experience to help their young guns mature and develop their skills. And surely nostalgia if nothing else will be a strong draw for these players to return home.
So will we see a return of some of these players on a permanent basis?
In a word, no.
Why would they? They get the Californian weather, which they could get in Europe but this way they don’t have to conquer the Spanish language. As well as that, they get the spotlight with the media swarming their relatively large sums they’re receiving. And last but not at all least, since the MLS league is of a lower standard to the Premiership, they get to strut around the field knowing that they have experience and superior ability on their side. While such things as friendships and nostalgia must be factors, these treasures don’t compare to such things as wealth, fame and endorsements.
For now – especially if you’re an Arsenal supporter – be glad to see the veterans back on English soil, if only for two months.
This has been a guest post contributed by Liberty Games, England’s largest supplier of football tables and other boys toys and gadgets.
