FA Premier League:English Soccer without Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
by Julian Price
http://www.uk-freelance-content-writer.co.uk/
With the 09/10 Premier League Season just about a third of the way through, how has star studded English soccer faired without its most glamorous asset of all, Cristiano Ronaldo? Ronaldo, now with Spanish giants Real Madrid and captain of his country, Portugal , spent six years at Manchester United lighting up the Premiership with his skilful dribbling, running and stunning free kicks.
Of course, there is no such thing as a one man team but Man United, despite currently sitting third in the league look so much more vulnerable without Ronaldo's goals. He clearly has not yet been replaced. Likewise, Real Madrid are now struggling since their superstar player picked up an ankle injury, winning just three of their last eight and being knocked out of the Spanish cup by third division minnows Alcorcon!
Does that mean other teams are now ready to take advantage of a Ronaldo-less United? Well, yes and no. Whilst Chelsea are looking very strong in all departments and perhaps already looking good enough to be champions this season, Arsenal's young team are currently playing the best football. Scoring lots of goals (37 already) and outplaying all their opposition, including in their two defeats so far against both Manchester United and City. The loss of Adebayor and Toure has yet to look like the disaster that many predicted.
Elsewhere, Liverpool are in all kinds of trouble at the moment, both on the field and behind the scenes. It was thought that with Ronaldo out of the way, this might be the season for Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to take centre stage and actually they have but for the wrong reasons. Liverpool certainly look a force to be reckoned with when the two make the starting line up but injuries to both Gerrard and Torres is highlighting the lack of depth in the Liverpool squad and they look a team reeling from the loss of Xabi Alonso, also to Real Madrid and find themselves already eleven points behind pacesetters Chelsea.
Manchester City 's millions have yet to send their team into hyper drive but the squad assembled is strong, and despite a lot of draws are not losing games and I am sure most of City's fans whilst eager for improvement wouldn't wish to trade their millions back in for anything!
The best of the rest appear to be Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and perhaps surprisingly, Sunderland , where once again manager Steve Bruce is working wonders. The sides struggling are perhaps a little more predictable with Portsmouth , Wolves, West Ham and Hull City finding good results difficult to achieve.
So, is Cristiano Ronaldo being missed? Absolutely! Both in terms of Manchester United and the league as a whole and the fans are missing seeing one of the greatest players in the world playing in their own towns' week in week out. Some may rub their hands in anticipation of a dethroning for the Red Devils but most true fans would welcome Ronaldo to their team any day! Let's hope he once again plies his trade on these shores in the future.
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