By Alex Kelly (Guest Writer)
In light of the news today that Steven Gerrard will be
signing a new contract we must take note of the virtues of home grown talent.
He has been the beating heart of Liverpool FC for over 10 years and a Scouse
talisman to all its population. A leader of Liverpool and an idyllic figure to
the upcoming, promising youth players. Having joined the club at the age of
nine, the Merseyside-born youngster was no stranger to the club nor to its
prolific history. He was nurtured and preserved by the club, putting him on the
path to become one of the greatest players ever to have walked through the
tunnel at Anfield. And the club didn’t have to spend £50 million to land him. The
skill required was patience – to fend off prospective buyers, to keep Steven
content and to wait until he was ready. If Liverpool
hope to regain its pride and return to its dominant nature then it must be
prepared to hold on to its youths and nurture them into fulfilling their full
and utmost capacity.
It is impossible not to talk about Liverpool ’s
future without mentioning Andy Carroll. Nicknamed “Big ‘un”, the Newcastle-born
giant has done little to impress us all and I share the fans’ frustration in
thinking WHY? Why has the once Geordie sensation gone from hero to zero, from
greatness to nothingness and, more importantly, from goals to no goals? Bought
for the ludicrous sum of £35 million, Carroll faces a cynical media placing
pressures on him that he just can’t handle. With the overwhelming expectation
of one city, Andy Carroll has bolted – his touch is clumsy, his finishing has
been average and his prolific heading ability has been…well shy of what we’ve
expected. Yes, there have been glimpses of brilliance and yes there is still
promise but the required consistency has been lacking. Had it not been for two
sensational saves from Joe Hart and Mark Bunn then maybe we wouldn’t have these
doubts…but we do. This same situation bodes for Chelsea Liverpool , rather than blindly splash out the cash on
superstars. Look what Villa did with Darren Bent - a rash and quick fire decision
that has not paid dividends.
Again I go back to Steven Gerrard - first able to perform to
the top of his game without expectation or pressures due to his anonymity.
Kenny must hold onto the likes of Spearing, Kelly, Flanagan, Shelvey and so on
if he is to build for the future. Time is the key virtue. If we look to the
history books, Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t bring immediate success to Manchester
United. Known as "Fergie's Fledglings", youngsters such as Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, the Neville
brothers and Nicky Butt would become the building block for a club that has
since dominated English football for 20 years. Fergie always had an eye for the
future and has had youths in his squad for the long term future – this is
something Kenny must aspire to do.
A club cannot be made in the space of a transfer window.
With Man City
Twitter - @alexkelly1234
