Comments on: Javier Saviola: The Other Unwanted Argentine

By: In Praise of FC Barcelona’s (and Chelsea’s) Gudjohnsen

In Praise of FC Barcelona’s (and Chelsea’s) Gudjohnsen — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:17:50 +0000

[...] his gambling problem at Chelsea, Gudjohnsen, like so many others (see Subhankar’s articles on the â€œforgotten Argentininesâ€), saw his covenant broken by the azulgrana [...]

By: Subhankar Mondal

Subhankar Mondal — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 13:12:33 +0000

Sorry razrhead, the grammar is all right. Maybe there are a few typing errors.

Could you point out the grammatical mistakes?

By: b-52

b-52 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:31:10 +0000

Nic,
Thanks for explaining the money part of this equation. It helps explain his marginalization. Still, I think this was a mistake.

Just look at five goals and ten assists in 783 league minutes. That means he scored or contributed to a goal every 50 minutes he was on the pitch in the league, whihc is very impressive..

By: Nic Aldam

Nic Aldam — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:57:10 +0000

Saviola’s main problem at BarÃ§a was that he signed under the Gaspart regime. Gaspart was a president who wanted to be loved too much, he therefore thought nothing of giving players ridiculous contracts if he thought the fans would be happy. When Laporta took over the club had huge debts and Laporta realized the club had to do something about the wage bills. Players like Saviola, who were seen to be earning more than they were worth, were asked to take new contracts with lower basic pay but more bonuses for winning things, some players accepted the new deal, others like Saviola refused, which is why he was marginalized. The fact that he later chose to sign for Madrid shows he is more interested in his wage packet than in his playing career. A shame because he is a very good player who could have been great.
On the playing side I don’t think he was compatible with Ronaldinho. One player who doesn’t work for the team is manageable but two isn’t. Saviola needs to find a team where he can be the star and have the others working for him. That’s not going to happen at Madrid.
As for his seven goals in last season’s Spanish Cup, two were against the mighty Badalona and the other five were scored in two legs against second division Alaves. It’s almost the same as praising someone for scoring in a testimonial match.

By: harasuke

harasuke — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 03:39:01 +0000

is he not the one who scored a goal with his hand against liverpool, leaving us with the need of a 2 goals margin victory on olympiacos? hell, it’s him

By: razrhead

razrhead — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 02:40:12 +0000

IMO very badly written article. i had to stumble through all the grammatical mistakes and overly wordiness of it.

By: b-52

b-52 — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 02:21:11 +0000

According to http://www.fcbarcelona.com/web/english/futbol/temporada_06-07/estadistiques/jugadors/Saviola/fitxa.html Saviola played 1303 minutes last year in all competition, scoring 12 goals (5 in 723 league minutes, 0 in 83 champions league minutes, and 7 in 497 in the cup).

This adds up to a goal every 108.6 minutes. Surely, an achievement, particuliarly seeing as how he is credited with 19 assists (10 in the league, 9 in the cup.)

Once again, Barcelona should not have signed Henry, as they already had Saviola and Gudjohnsen.

By: Subhankar Mondal

Subhankar Mondal — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:15:20 +0000

I see what you mean guys. True, that Saviola came off the bench in most of the matches that he featured in for Barca last season but for me, mere goals are not an end in themselves. I would like to see how a goal is scored and how much contribution the goalscorer makes in the goal. No, don’t get me wrong, I don’t subscribe to the idea that Saviola is a garbage but I do believe that he has achieved for most part of his career. Of course Boardroom tactics haven’t helped him but somehow, somewhere Saviola himself was to blame. Similar to Riquelme, who too should blame himself for his career not quite taking the turn that it ought to have.

By: Shohan Khan

Shohan Khan — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 10:07:29 +0000

Yeah b-52 has a point. We all tend to look at statistics and make judgements but there is always a story behind it like most of his apps came off da bench..who usually scores wen there are minutes left till the final whistle (except ole gunnar solskeajr of corse ) I remember micheal owen at real madrid! he came off the bench most of the time and always seemd to score! in my opinion he did good but the manager didnt give him a chance much like this situaion above

By: b-52

b-52 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 22:00:07 +0000

“10 goals in 24 appearances for Barca last season was hardly an achievement”
I disagree. That’s almost one every two appearances, and how many of his appearances were off the bench? How many of his goals were crucial? Barca should have kept faith in him and gudjohnsen (another tremendous player who has never gotten the opportunity) instead of signing Henry.