Transfers - Gossip Shop: Selfish? Moi?

Eurosport - Sat, 27 Sep 10:27:00 2008

Barcelona's Thierry Henry has revealed that he will leave the club if he doesn't get his way.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 La Liga Barcelona Thierry Henry - 0

The 31-year-old was left on the bench for Barca's narrow 3-2 win over Real Betis in midweek, with boss Pep Guardiola preferring to field Euro 2008 winner Andres Iniesta on the left wing instead.

The former Arsenal main man isn't happy about that - and why should he be? He deserves whatever he wants, after all. He's Thierry Henry!

He told French sport daily L'Equipe: "For now, it is not a topical matter. But if things stay the same, of course we will have to talk about this."

His tone suggests that he is going to give his boss a real dressing down when he gets hold of him, doesn't it? Henry then went on say that he has been given assurances by Guardiola that he would be deployed in his favoured role as a central striker rather than out on the wing.

"It is true I had a talk with the coach before the season began. For me, this talk was very clear," Henry said.

A few more choice quotes like those and those crazy 'Henry to United' rumours will get up and running again.

From one self-important Frenchman to another, and UEFA bigwig William Gaillard says he wants to stop domestic cup runners-up entering European competition when the eventual winners have already qualified.

On the eve of the suits passing the motion to re-brand the UEFA Cup the UEFA Europa League from next season, and change the format to mimic that of the Champions League, Gaillard said: "With a new format you need a new identity. The tournament is supposed to be for winners, not runners up."

Just the three issues with that then:

a) By its very nature, the UEFA Cup has always been a competition for runners-up

b) The Champions League lets in around a dozen non-winners every season, and is more often than not won by one of them

c) The competition that was once the sole preserve of winners - the Cup Winners' Cup - was scrapped to beef up UEFA Cup a few years ago

Still, at least the spread that was laid on for all the delegates must have been a right feast.

West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola has made his point about the independent FA tribunal's ruling over the Tevez affair which stated: "On the totality of the evidence, we have no doubt that West Ham would have secured at least three fewer points over the 2006/07 season if Carlos Tevez had not been playing for the club."

Zola has dismissed the ruling, claiming that even the greatest of players can't influence things all on their own, citing the time he shared with Diego Maradona at Napoli as proof.

He said: "I played with Maradona, who was the best player in the world. But I have never seen a game where Maradona won it on his own."

The little Sardinian then let his cuddly, modest façade slip for just a second, letting out that he realises just how good he was by saying: "Obviously a great player can make a hell of a difference, but you need all the other players to support you."

Players of football management games will know what a pain it is negotiating transfer fees, planning out what size your instalments will be and over what period you will pay them, and then having to wait two or three turns before the offer is rejected.

Well, that doesn't happen if you're Manchester City, as The Independent reports that Real Madrid clicked refresh on their online banking and saw the £32.5 million they charged for Robinho land in their account in one lump sum. That's the way to do it.

Honourable mention must go to the Photoshop effort in The Mirror of Cesc Fabregas lying on his bed, having nightmares about the clutch of teenage usurpers nipping at his heels.

Sadly, the image is upstaged by the one on the opposite page - an old picture of Rafa Benitez pre-goatee. GS almost didn't recognise him.

Finally, the Daily Mail brings us news of Liverpool full-back Philipp Degen's recovery in hospital following his two broken ribs - apparently he's being mobbed by fans.

Degen said: "All the other patients recognised me. But the doctors imposed an autographs ban - I was not allowed to sign any."

Perhaps they have all mistaken for his twin brother, Basel's David Degen.

Tony Mabert / Eurosport

Comment 4 - 23 of 23

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  1. he should move to a north east team probalys nufc

    From Joseph, on Fri 26 Sep 8:14PM
  2. He should realise that's he's just not good enough anymore.

    From justinbowie1, on Fri 26 Sep 6:05PM
  3. I'm a gooner, and I still love to see Henry play, but not for arsenal anymore. City would be good. At least, if he doesn't get any trophy, he deserves to retire rich. But please not spurs! Cos they're relegating this season. hahaha

    From Jo, on Fri 26 Sep 5:49PM
  4. Point no 4 on UEFA cup being only for winners: on the 'shake up' UEFA are planning, half the teams getting to the round of 32 are Champions League losers - they lose that league so they're hardly part of the winners gang for this cup are they??

    From not_blonde_really, on Fri 26 Sep 5:33PM
  5. 1. I say NO to ARSENAL RETURN

    2. Henry should go to Man City where he can CAPITALISE on, perhaps, the BIGGEST SIGN OFF FEE of his career & still help START another REVOLUTION in EPL.

    3. Considering Henry WOULD OVERHELM all YOUNG players in ARSENAL by HIS ATTITUDE & CAPTAINCY (he once admitted this)

    From Segun, on Fri 26 Sep 5:24PM
  6. henry supposed 2 leave since hes really stupid joining barca made his carear worse so he gotta go

    From oyin07seun, on Fri 26 Sep 5:10PM
  7. Ps, I'm a gooner

    From sascha, on Fri 26 Sep 5:09PM
  8. Football for lfe, I agree with what you are saying, but in an other artical on this site it was said that he was not fit, had a throat infection, and will make his starting debut for this season against Espanyol. Is this just the media trying to make news?

    From sascha, on Fri 26 Sep 5:08PM
  9. Anybody that knocks henry might want to go back and look at what he is capable of. Henry has the right to be annoyed for a simple reason. HE WAS PROMISED IN THE OFF SEASON A PROMINENT ROLE. HE WAS LIED TO. can you idiots knocking him understand that.

    From football4life, on Fri 26 Sep 4:32PM
  10. Normally I'd say it is another superstar whining, but Henry was promised a prominent roll. Guardiola should have been honest and told Henry he was to be kept for a hole card and used more sparingly. I cannot quarrel with broken promises. Even at his age Henry should and would do well in a Premiership side.

    From Richard K, on Fri 26 Sep 4:08PM
  11. if henry is not giving Barca what they want and there is one or two players that can deliver when it matters, i don't see anything wrong in benching henry for those players, only for him to come on as sub. If he wants to be regular, then simple, he should give the Guardiola what he wants. If he cannot deliver the coach is right to rest him for others. Long Live Arsenal.

    From Luxy, on Fri 26 Sep 3:22PM
  12. Shaneferrell85,
    "henry is rubbish he shud be shot"!!! Shaneferrell85, are you on crack?? If you are then I find you particular brand amusing!!!

    From mchakulu, on Fri 26 Sep 3:19PM
  13. henry is rubbish he shud be shot

    From shanefarrell_85, on Fri 26 Sep 2:49PM
  14. I have to agree with last comment. Barca are so much better at the moment without Henry the Great!!!

    From Total Cleaning, on Fri 26 Sep 2:43PM
  15. iniesta is incredible in that position and the team that pep is sending out is great. messsi and eto'o were linking up brilliantly on wed. it was magical at times. the season has just begun and pep is just feeling out combos with his team. henry is acting like a petulant child. i saw the way the team played with him in it and without him. i noticed a difference. on watching the game wed, without him for the second time and winning for the second time, i'd have to say keep him on the bench. especially with this attitude of it's all about me because i am thierry henry and i am the greatest and i have to play every game.

    From meganp, on Fri 26 Sep 1:58PM
  16. Henry has only 2, maybe 3 season left in him.
    Does he really want to spend that time undeservedly sitting on the bench at Barca under an inexperienced manager who's not true to his word?
    He'd be much better off with a possible return to Arsenal or even going to City.
    If not then the legend that was Henry will soon be forgotten.

    From vulcanraven01@..., on Fri 26 Sep 1:54PM
  17. henry ur d best u deserve d best n arsenal is d best
    u @#$% bak to arsenal n wil; create a history again
    u ll be numbr 1 again jst @#$% bak to arsenal
    n u ll be a threat to ronaldo roooney atc... jst return to ARSENAL

    From Yasser, on Fri 26 Sep 1:45PM
  18. henry for city? wed be realistic title contenders then

    From tony0ldbury, on Fri 26 Sep 1:36PM
  19. put greatness with greatness,Henry to the united side of manchester

    From HEATHER, on Fri 26 Sep 1:33PM
  20. givethe best shot in city,you'll make history

    From kerbausama, on Fri 26 Sep 12:51PM
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