In Safe Hands

It takes a lot to be in top physical and mental shape and be able to turn up for games week in and week out. Most Premier League sides do end up having a packed match schedule through the season. Add training and possibly injuries to the mix, and that’s a lot for a players body to take. But there does seem to be a select few who seem to have cracked the code and are pushing themselves way beyond the twilight of their careers. 

Some of the best teams in the game have been built around great goalkeepers who have pulled out all the stops when called upon. They are so indispensable to the overall scheme of things that players such as Dino Zoff, Peter Shilton, Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar have all donned the gloves and taken their spot between the sticks to well beyond the age of 40. In fact the record for the oldest player to ever play in a Premier League match is held by John Burridge who at the ripe age of 43 years and 162 days turned out for Manchester City in May 1995. 

This piece takes a look at some of the oldest goalkeepers in the Premier League who have done well to keep themselves fit and are still out there pushing and defying the odds to still be there in the game. 

Thomas Sorensen, Stoke City (36)

Thomas Sorensen has made quite an impression in the 15 years spent in the Premier League. Through the years he has been the first choice keeper for Sunderland, Aston Villa and Stoke City. Having made over a 100 national appearances, he has done well to fill the boots of the legendary Peter Schmeichel. Weighing his options about a possible move away from Stoke City, age does not seem to be putting the brakes on this Dane.

Kelvin Davis, Southampton (36)

Kelvin Davis has recently signed a deal to keep him at St. Mary’s close to his 40^th birthday. Having spent a good deal of his career outside the Premiership, he is enjoying his second stint among the English elite after having played with Sunderland in the Premier League in the 2005-2006 season. This English keeper has since then stuck with the Saints during their relegation battles and has also seen them through the tough but remarkable promotion battles from League One to the Premiership. 

Shay Given, Aston Villa (36) 

Shay Given may have started his career at Celtic, but it is in the Premier League at Newcastle United where this Irishman made his name as one of the finest goalkeepers in the League. Ambition drove him to break his 12 year association with the Toons, and join Manchester City with whom he won a FA Cup medal. Currently at Aston Villa, he finds himself in the unfamiliar territory of a relegation dogfight. 

Henrique Hilario, Chelsea (37)

This Chelsea keeper has had his share of critics through his seven year stint with the club. His role may have been limited to being cover for the first and second choice keepers at the club, but he has found himself called upon in a starting role from time to time. He has managed to earn himself a one Premiership, a Champions League, a League Cup and four FA Cup medals in the bargain.  

Jussi Jääskeläinen, West Ham United (37)

This Bolton legend spent 15 years at the club establishing himself as one of the finest keepers in the game. Bought by the Trotters for a mere £100,000 in 1997 while still in the Football League First Division, Jääskeläinen thought the time was right to part ways with the club after their relegation from the Premiership last season. He is now first choice keeper at West Ham United.

Steve Harper, Newcastle United (39)

Having dedicated 19 years to the Toons, this Englishman is the longest serving player in the history of Newcastle United. He proved his worth to the club by helping them win promotion back in the Premier League by keeping a record 21 clean sheets in 37 games. Through the years he has made over 250 appearances for the club and has given good competition to the likes of Pavel Srníček, Shaka Hislop, Shay Given and now Tim Krul. 

Mark Schwarzer, Fulham (40)

The Aussie made his Premier League debut with Middlesbrough back in 1996 and has continued to prove his detractors wrong since then. Showing little sign of his abilities fading he has completed 100 caps for country and is aiming to make it to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He has just signed a contract extension with Fulham that would keep him at Craven Cottage well beyond his 41st birthday.

Brad Friedel, Tottenham Hotspur (41)

Friedel to this day continues to make much younger players sweat and fight for their place in the team. Having featured for Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa early in his career, he now dons the colour of Spurs. He currently holds the Premier League record for most consecutive appearances with 310 and thanks his 70 year old mother, who is a physical education teacher, for inspiring him to stay fit and prolong his career.

Mike Pollitt, Wigan Athletic (41)

The oldest keeper of the current lot, Mike Pollitt got his first taste of Premiership action when he became the first signing for Wigan Athletic after promotion in June 2005. First choice keeper for that season his heroics led the Latics to the League Cup Final. Post that one season he has been considered as backup keeper at the DW stadium making rare starts in cup games. 

Footballers: Curb Your Enthusiasm

Footballers are an overzealous lot and the sport has been built on these characters that bring a little more colour and excitement to the beautiful game. Be it in the way they walk, look, speak or simply in the way they celebrate a goal, footballers have been trendsetters on a global stage. But this constant spotlight on their actions brings with it an added sense of responsibility which cannot be ignored or shrugged off. As part of any society there are rules and norms that are deemed acceptable which one needs to be aware of. The guidelines that have been laid down have to be adhered to or else one has to face the consequences. A Greek footballer is finding this out the hard way.

Giorgios Katidis, playing for Greek side AEK Athens, was given a life time ban this weekend from representing any Greek national team because of his Nazi style salute for celebrating the winning goal against opponents Veria. Having captained the U-19 Greek side, the midfielder has been facing the heat from club supporters and fans from all quarters who have criticized his actions quite heavily on social media. Katidis in his defence has claimed that he didn't realize or know that his celebration would attract so much ire and that he was merely pointing out to a team mate in the crowd. Taking to social media, the 20 year old wrote on Twitter: "I am not a fascist and would not have done it if I had known what it meant.” Now how far it is true no one will really know, but this has landed the young lad into a lot of trouble. His club AEK Athens too has demanded an explanation and they will decide on his future in the days to come.

It is quite evident that many players do spend time thinking up ways to celebrate their goals uniquely. They take time to choreograph and at times involve their other teammates to create a spectacle. Like many of us they take inspiration from players both past and present, movie stars or simple and yet sometimes weird happenings from one’s life. There have been many such memorable celebrations by players that have caught the eye of many. One does not have to look too far to remember Roger Milla’s corner flag dance, the Klinsmann dive, the Bebeto baby rock or the screaming into camera, thumb sucking or the acrobatics that accompany many a spectacular goal. Some of these celebrations evolved and came out at a time when society was a little more tolerant. They have since been ingrained into footballing folklore and have become signatures that have been associated with the respective players. The law of the game states that any goal can be celebrated but such celebrations should not be excessive. FIFA has been trying to crackdown on such actions by players that could incite trouble or put fans and players both at risk. Players who tend to take off their shirt to sport their heavily tattooed bodies or to display messages under their shirts after scoring goals have been booked during the game and sometimes even fined post the game depending on the gravity of the issue. Celebrating in front of away fans, imitating and gesturing too is looked down upon.

Nowadays with the advancement in technology, the way the sport is viewed, followed and shared by fans has completely changed. Football players whether they realize it or not, are seen as role models by many and this is where a sense of accountability needs to seep in. It is the collective responsibility of the board, manager and player to come up with and lay down a code of conduct for everyone associated with the club that ensures that all acts by individuals associated are becoming and reflective of the values of the club. This has to be instilled as part of the education process and makes all involved aware of the constant media glare. It does get hard for a footballer to control his emotions, actions or words in the heat of the moment; after all they are human and are affected by criticism or praise. But it is necessary that they present themselves with dignity and with a certain sense of discretion that would not see them regret any of their actions. As for Giorgios Katidis, one can only hope that he does not pay a heavy price for his misinformed piece of decision making and that everybody can put what has happened in the past allowing the young man the chance to pick himself up and continue his growth as a person and as a footballer.

Keep The Lamps On

A season that held a lot of promise and that was meant to be built on glory and riches has unfortunately steered itself south and has left Chelsea trying to cover up self inflicted cracks.

The miracle at Munich where they were crowned the Champions of Europe for the first time almost a year ago seems like a distant memory after the rollercoaster ride the London club has been through since then. From the shock sacking of manager Robbie Di Matteo only to be ‘temporarily’ replaced by the highly unpopular Rafa Benitez to being the first holders to be knocked out in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, the Blues have courted controversy through the season with the over enthusiasm of a sugar high kid.

Though still fighting in three competitions – the FA Cup, the Europa League and mathematically still in the race for the Premier League – it is a season that has fallen well short of expectations. Off the pitch, the club’s PR machinery is in overdrive managing crisis after crisis and the demanding fans have turned vocally rebellious at every game. It is all to clear that there are urgent steps required to be taken by the club hierarchy to stop this season from going from bad to worse.

One of the long standing issues that has dragged on for far too long is the contract saga of club legend, Frank Lampard. Out of a contract at the end of the season and without a club or any sort of resolution in sight, the England international has gone about his business in only the way he knows best and that is by performing on the field when called upon. Having been confined to an almost bit part role because of an injury lay off and coupled with the influx of new faces and fresher legs at the start of the season, Lampard has gone about proving his detractors wrong by being at the right place at the right time and hauling a rich return of goals. This now sees him lead the goal scoring charts for Chelsea in the Premier League. An incredible feat for a player that has taken to the pitch only about half the times than the number of games the once lethal and now low on confidence Torres has played. Lampard also holds the unique distinction of having scored at least 10 goals in a season for the last ten seasons and has finished as top scorer in a season for Chelsea on four separate occasions. Sitting at one goal short of 200 for the club (as of 17th March prior to Chelsea vs West Ham) and on the verge of being the clubs all time top goal scorer (Bobby Tambling scored 202 goals for Chelsea in the period 1959 - 1970), it is a testament to Lampard’s commitment and professionalism that has seen him perform consistently for so long and outlast many of his peers.

The achievements and statistics mentioned dwarf in comparison to the influence that Lampard exudes on the pitch and in the dressing room. Having been an integral part of the ‘Old Guard’ that stuck together and pulled off some of the most scintillating and sometimes backs to the wall performances that have led Chelsea, from being just another London side to the one of the Big Four of the English Premier League is something that shouldn’t be easily forgotten by the suits at Chelsea. He has donned the captains armband when called upon and done his best to stay well clear of any controversy, making him one of the most positive brand ambassadors that any club could ask for.

Such loyalty, dedication and effort should without doubt be celebrated and rewarded, which is why it becomes difficult to fathom that he could be on his way out. With a host of clubs being put on alert about his availability, Lampard has had to decline offers, reject rumours and stall negotiations with the hope of an extension being offered at Chelsea. At almost 35, age may be working against him, but his form this season alone; where at times he has single-handedly dragged Chelsea to wins have proven that he still has the legs to play the game. To let a player of his capability go free and join a rival on a bargain would be sheer hara-kiri by the Chelsea board.

Pundits, managers, statisticians, coaches and fans have all seen what Lampard has to offer and there are very few that doubt his ability. In today’s game where heads are easily turned by the sheer lure of money, loyalty is one of the few characteristics that should be duly rewarded. There have been too many wrongs that Chelsea fans have had to swallow this season, but letting go of an institution of the stature of Frank Lampard may just be the final straw.