I had to do a double take when I read the news, even though it isn’t all that surprising. Sami Hyypia, of 460 plus games over 10 years of service, will be leaving the club at the end of the season, joining Bayer Leverkusen on a free transfer. It’s not a coincidence that the news didn’t come out until the Agger deal was done and dusted.
A former captain, with a haul of a Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, two FA Cup medals, two Carling Cup medals, two UEFA Super Cups, and two Charity Shields. The only thing missing is the league. His goals against Juventus and Arsenal in Europe, among others. He’s been half of two of the best defensive partnerships in Liverpool history, along with Henchoz and then Carragher.
For £2.5m, he’s up there with the best pound for pound signings in club history – company like King Kenny for £440,000, Rushie for £300,000 and Keegan for £33,000 (no, I’m not missing any zeroes).
It’s a shame he couldn’t see his career out at Liverpool, but he’s got a two-year deal at Leverkusen, which Liverpool couldn't (and, sadly, probably shouldn't) offer him, and he’s not staying in England. As usual, Sami doesn’t do the club wrong. A proper legend – all the best on your two-year stay in Germany, then here’s hoping he’s back at the club in a coaching role.
And here’s hoping we don’t have to wait long for his testimonial. Because Sami’s sure earned it.
Showing posts with label Hyypia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hyypia. Show all posts
04 May 2009
09 September 2008
Sami v UEFA v Liverpool
Even though news trickled out four days ago, for some reason, Hyypia’s omission from the Champions League group stages has hit the national media today. It’s even prompted a statement from Benitez on the official site. I hadn’t planned on addressing it, and it still feels somewhat Captain Obvious to go over it now, but seeing all the articles pop up in my Google Reader isn’t doing my blood pressure much good.
As much as Hyypia’s renaissance over the last two seasons has helped the team, and no matter how valuable he’s been as a squad member, this decision was a no-brainer. It’s hard to write so bluntly about a Liverpool legend, but it’s the truth.
Liverpool doesn’t need to have four first-team center-backs on the CL roster. And thanks to the UEFA regulations that require four academy-trained and four association-trained players, there’s simply no place for Sami.
I’ve written about player quotas in the past. I’m obviously not the biggest fan of them, and given Liverpool’s financial situation while still trying to stay near the top of the Premier League, I’ve got no problem with the cosmopolitan make-up of the team.
Liverpool’s so stretched for English players that 17-year-old Steven Irwin and 18-year-old Martin Kelly are on the A-list, as is Spearing and Darby (both 19). None of them has seen time on the pitch outside of preseason. It makes you wonder why Liverpool sold Crouch and Finnan so willingly, and why Pennant was ostensibly on the market all summer long (oh right, they need the money). But as said throughout the summer, it does help explain the pursuit of Gareth Barry.
At least the UEFA regulations are succeeding in getting younger players on the bench, if not on the field, but it’s at the expense of someone like Sami. Hyypia's grievance should be with UEFA, not Liverpool or Benitez.
I do feel bad for Hyypia. He’s been a fantastic servant for the club for nearly 10 years now, and will fully deserve the testimonial when he gets it. But if it comes down to carrying four center-backs or having a striker like Ngog in the squad, I’ll side with the striker.
We’ve seen it all too often in the past. Knock on wood, but chances are, Liverpool will be fine in defense. However, there have been more than enough occasions where Liverpool’s needed to bring more attacking firepower off the bench because the team’s struggling in the final third.
As much as Hyypia’s renaissance over the last two seasons has helped the team, and no matter how valuable he’s been as a squad member, this decision was a no-brainer. It’s hard to write so bluntly about a Liverpool legend, but it’s the truth.
Liverpool doesn’t need to have four first-team center-backs on the CL roster. And thanks to the UEFA regulations that require four academy-trained and four association-trained players, there’s simply no place for Sami.
I’ve written about player quotas in the past. I’m obviously not the biggest fan of them, and given Liverpool’s financial situation while still trying to stay near the top of the Premier League, I’ve got no problem with the cosmopolitan make-up of the team.
Liverpool’s so stretched for English players that 17-year-old Steven Irwin and 18-year-old Martin Kelly are on the A-list, as is Spearing and Darby (both 19). None of them has seen time on the pitch outside of preseason. It makes you wonder why Liverpool sold Crouch and Finnan so willingly, and why Pennant was ostensibly on the market all summer long (oh right, they need the money). But as said throughout the summer, it does help explain the pursuit of Gareth Barry.
At least the UEFA regulations are succeeding in getting younger players on the bench, if not on the field, but it’s at the expense of someone like Sami. Hyypia's grievance should be with UEFA, not Liverpool or Benitez.
I do feel bad for Hyypia. He’s been a fantastic servant for the club for nearly 10 years now, and will fully deserve the testimonial when he gets it. But if it comes down to carrying four center-backs or having a striker like Ngog in the squad, I’ll side with the striker.
We’ve seen it all too often in the past. Knock on wood, but chances are, Liverpool will be fine in defense. However, there have been more than enough occasions where Liverpool’s needed to bring more attacking firepower off the bench because the team’s struggling in the final third.
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