You’ve got to get up pretty early in the morning to fool us
It’s not easy being an investigative journalist, you know. You have to work long hours, be willing to go that extra mile, dig deep. And you can forget about having a successful marriage/relationship with anyone, because when you’re in the thick of a big story, you won’t have time to snog. That’s probably why The Spoiler sticks to not being an investigative journalist. It’s just easier that way.
But as a nod to the men/women with their eyes peering through big magnifying glasses 24/7, we stumbled across this picture of Thierry Henry in New York, and started slowly scratching our faces as we pieced together the various bits of the puzzle.
Yesterday, Spanish giants Barcelona unveiled their shiny new away kit, using fugly stars including Leo Messi and Carles ‘Captain Caveman’ Puyol.
Superstar players Deco, Eto’o and Ronaldinho were all absent from the launch, as they are fully expected to be plying their trade elsewhere in 2008/09. A semi-surprising absentee, however, was a certain Mr Thierry Henry.
So, if the Frenchman won’t be knocking about in Catalonia next season, where will he be? Well, yesterday he played in a charity match in Americaland, which also included Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and New York Red Bulls captain Claudio Reyna. Couple this with the fact that in 2007 he told the New York Times he would like to end his career in the Big Apple, and it looks like the striker could be following David Beckham across the Atlantic to play some Major League Soccerball pretty soon…
But it’s amateur hour in California, says Ruud Gullit
In recent weeks, we’ve seen pictures of David Beckham’s Zangief-like beard and love of cheerleaders’ derrieres, but we’ve heard abolsutely nothing about action on the pitch. FYI, the LA Galaxy are still in business, they are currently second in the Western Conference thingy, and Mr B is the club’s third top scorer with, er, one goal in five games.
It all seems pretty unspectacular out in California at the moment, and no one is less impressed than coach Ruud Gullit, who has been caught out by the LA Times telling the British Press about the two-bit operation he is in charge of:
“I’m sure that when people think of the Galaxy the picture that comes to mind is not of our staff making phone calls to friends on Friday to see if they can play in a reserve game on Sunday,” Gullit told writer Brian Doogan. “But, strange as it may seem, this is the reality.”
In an interview to be shown on tomorrow’s Football Focus, Barcelona striker Thierry Henry pines for the days he spent in North London. ‘There’s only one team for me in my heart,’ he said in reference to the team he left last June. Rumours are rife that Henry will be a part of Frank Rijkaard’s summer clearance, and he could well be headed for the Premiership. But would Wenger actually have him back? Wouldn’t he better off becoming another weapon in Chelsea’s, er, arsenal?
Our American buddies over at The Offside Rules may not be aware of the correct name for the beautiful game, but boy howdy do they know how to pick out some mighty fine Sporno! Here are Kansas City Wizards teammates Blanco and Lopez doing some powerful good celebratin’.
While on a radio show this week, Kevin Keegan was asked who he would like to sign to strengthen his tormented squad in the summer. Without even the slightest crack of a wry smile, he said: “I’d fetch Thierry Henry back to England.”
Mr Ashley certainly has the cash to take advantage of Barcelona’s summer clearout, but there are a host of other clubs hoping to obtain the Frenchman’s signature. Could Fergie step up the Wenger mind games by bringing him to Old Trafford? Will AC Milan unite him with Shevchenko? How about brand new MLS Franchise the Seattle Sounders - they’re looking for splash their dinero on a big European name or two.
David Beckham has almost ticked every box on his Great American Checklist.
1. Befriend Tom Cruise - check. 2. Take the wife shopping in NEW YORK - check 3. Buy a massive car like the one in that R Kelly video - check. 4. Eat a great big meat loaf in secret - check
AND YESTERDAY…
5. Get slowly approached by a cop on a motorbike, just like the ones in Chips - check. (pictured)
