Ah, the irony. The man who was one half of the couple primed to replace David and Victoria Beckham as the poster couple of football is back. Harry Kewell, now plying his trade at Galatasaray in Turkey, is healthy. Well he was. He’s actually injured now. Anyway, after being written off at Liverpool as injury prone, many suspected that the Australian international was destined to be a broken man, literally.
But the Wizard of Oz has not only been fit for most of the last two years, he’s apparently now fielding questions from Rafa Benitez about injury recovery. Ironic, no?
Kewell’s agent, Bernie Mandic, blames the British medical system. According to Mandic, “[Kewell] lost three-and-a-half years of his career at Liverpool because the guys over there in England had, quite literally, no idea what they were talking about.”
“Look at Liverpool. Why is it that over so many recent years, usually around November, lots of their key players are injured. It’s always soft tissue injuries. How come other clubs, like Arsenal, don’t have that sort of dilemma? And why do their players recover quicker? There’s a logical reason for all of this.”
Interesting observation, although I’m not sure that Arsenal is the right example. The Arsenal injury room is notoriously full most of the time. But Kewell’s transformation does raise an interesting question. Is Kewell’s recovery a one off, or is there really something broken in England?
Mr Clive….Spot on mate…Arsenal is certainly NOT the right example for sure! I can’t think of Wenger ever having a fully fit squad in the past two years TBH. However, I think there is some truth to the story concerning the medical staff at Liverpool.If you compare with other clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea FC, Liverpool always have more players on the treatment table and that too recurring problems.Torres, Danny Agger, Gerrard, Glen Johnson have had a horrid time with injuries when they’ve had no previous history of major injuries,agreed most of them happened when they have been with their national squads but then why does is take them too long to heal and even when once they are fully fit,there is always this risks of them getting injured again.Same with Mascherano,he has also been injured more than usual.
I am not saying the medical team at Anfield are incompetent with their treatment but surely more can be done about preventing these injuries with better training and conditioning.When Aston Villa can play a whole season with almost the same XI,the blame can’t be laid on a long,gruelling and physical English season.
I like your Villa example. Another reason to add to the list of reasons to fire Rafa. Maybe Martin O’Neill should be your next manager.
Good call Clive! Regarding Martin O’Neill…. the thing is that conventional wisdom suggests we would have our pick of the litter when it comes to a new manager. Fans, understandably, want a Mourinho, a Hiddink, a Lippi or a Capello. With Gillett and Hicks incharge the club needs to aim lower. I would love O’Neill to take over, however, if he can’t I would seriously consider Roy Hodgeson of Fulham?!! If push comes to shove we not ask THE KING Kenny Dalglish to hold fort until the club gets new owners with money?!