It's why Steven Gerrard was always a no-brainer for captain at his hometown and boyhood club, Liverpool - and why he should have been England captain right from the start, for some.
Enough has been made of Stevie G's abilities in the middle of the park - bombing up front, running back to defend. His strengths have been the difference for Liverpool so many times along with his errors like we saw at the end of last season when he slipped to let through that goal against Chelsea that would cause Liverpool the title.
In his late 30s, Stevie G is definitely not the player he was 5 years before, but was still one of the better Liverpool players during a season which saw the side lose its dynamic goal scoring duo from the season before.
Jordan Henderson will have big boots to fill next season and even if he does continue his progress, it will be difficult to replace a player as dynamic and influential as Stevie G.
The football world has not seen the last of Stevie G with the MLS now set to see for their eyes the player once hailed by Zinedine Zidane as the best midfielder in the world, but after a 20 year career at one club, an era has definitely come to a close.
The same could be said about another midfield duo, very familiar with New Zealand rugby fans. With long time Wellington, Hurricanes and All Blacks duo, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith set to head overseas after the World Cup, this does feel like the beginning of the end of an era.
The Hurricanes v Chiefs game on Saturday night is at this moment, the last time Nonu and Smith will run out together in Wellington - the All Blacks play no tests in Wellington this season although if the Hurricanes continue this run, Nonu and Smith could have one or two more chances to run out when the Hurricanes as expected play their finals games in Wellington.
It would be the 50th time Nonu and Smith run out together as Hurricanes centres - it could have been more had Nonu stayed around rather than begin a nomadic existence for 3 seasons before returning at the start of this season.
Nonu and Smith have been just as prolific together for the All Blacks and are surely now the greatest midfield partnership in our history.
No partnership has been interwoven so effectively that it is virtually second nature. The chemistry in defence and attack between the two developed in 2003 when Nonu and Smith were Wellington teammates and is evident as ever 12 years on.
Post World Cup, the All Blacks - like Liverpool with Stevie G - will be left with a huge hole to fill in the midfield. Yes, we have plenty of great candidates for the position, i.e. Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, etc. but building a partnership in the midfield as the ABs have found in the past does take time.
In the meantime, it's time to clink our glasses for 3 of the best midfielders we've ever seen.
Cheers Gerrard, Nonu and Smith!
No comments:
Post a Comment