The Italian Job - Diego
By: Brian | July 1st, 2008
The possible exit of your club’s best player can lead to all types of emotional and gastro intestinal distress, bringing up a lot of self doubt and questioning - Why would he want to go? Is it something I said? What more can I do to convince you to stay? It’s all enough to make one end it all. (In fact, I’ve had to talk a few of my Arsenal supporting friends off the ledge already this summer).
The Real Madrid rumors? Hearsay. The Arsenal rumors? Wishful thinking. Juventus or Inter? Never gonna happen.
What’s that? Oh.
In the most definitive declaration to date, Diego has talked of his admiration for a couple of smallish Italian clubs in a recent interview with Il Corriere Dello Sport. These rumors have been around before (especially Juve) but never straight from the Zauber-mouth:
“Juventus and Inter spoke to my club about me but nothing happened and there was no talk about money,â€
“I really like Juventus because they are a great team, with a rich tradition and millions of fans.”
“Inter would also be ideal because they are a very strong group with world class players full of determination.â€
Passing praise for a pair of well regarded clubs or a thinly veiled invitation to make Werder an offer? A bit of both really. Diego wants to ultimately play for the proverbial Big Club in the Big League and there’s no shame in that. Someday he will. The pesky details of when and where still need to be worked out in the near future. In the meantime, he and his agent/father are following the transfer script that has been used countless times before – 1) meaningless platitudes about tradition, 2) fawning praise directed towards supporters, 3) faint admiration for style of play and 4) an occasional ego-stroking compliment for the current manager. Declaring an affinity of the weather and culture are optional.
It’s a delicate verbal dance really. Play the wallflower and no one asks you onto the disco floor. Come out too aggressively and pompous and you’re Rafael van der Vaart.
And according to script, Diego added:
“As for my future, we will see what happens. At the moment it looks like my future lies with Werder Bremen. I’m fine there, I have a good team, I’m considered important, so we’ll see.â€
The truth is that he is happy at Werder, just not quite happy enough to stay. He is the focal point for a football team that plays one of the most aggressively attacking styles in Europe. He has complete freedom and everything moving forward goes through him, or at least it’s designed to. He scores goals, takes free most kicks and corners, and takes every penalty. A creative footballer couldn’t ask for more. Well, except to do all of those things in Madrid, or London, or Turin, or Milan, or Barcelona, or Manchester.
Will he leave in the next few months? Highly unlikely. Preparations are well underway for next season and Diego plays a minor role in Bremen’s fortunes at home and in Europe. Will he leave next summer? Probably. Those Werder supporters that have come to the realization that Diego will be gone soon are being realistic; those that haven’t are being delusional. Let’s just enjoy Year Three of the Ribas da Cuhna experience.
Category: Team News
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Minor role or major role? Seems to me like a major role in Bremens future.
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A small attempt at sarcasm there Corey (there really should be am established sarcasm font).
Undoubtedly, he is a major piece to the puzzle, if not the major piece. The drop off in skill from Diego to his replacements (Ozil, Jensen, Hunt) is significant.
Posted from
United States -
I hope he stays another season, too. I like Bremen a lot and Diego in the Bundesliga is a great thing. (As much as I wouldn’t mind seeing him in an Arsenal shirt in the future.)
Posted from
United States -
I rate Ozil pretty highly, while Hunt is more of a striker/winger then an attacking midfielder. And Daniel Jensen??? Didnt he get the clue and leave yet?
Posted from
United States -
I rate Ozil extremely high. He’s just way too young to have the responsibility of running this team. The goal will be to get him as much meaningful playing time as possible this season to prepare him for next year (and beyond). He has actually linked up well with Diego on the few occasions they were on the pitch together last year.
Hunt is a tricky proposition, a man without a clear cut position. I think he has the raw tools to play as a central midfielder and Schaaf could play him there if we’re low on options. I’m not sold on him as a forward yet. All of this won’t make a difference though as he’ll undoubtedly feature on the left taking most of Boro’s minutes.
Daniel Jensen is a saint. He almost left to look for playing time elsewhere, but decided to extend his contract at Werder. With last season’s injury devastated roster, he filled in admirably at four different positions. I shudder to think where we would have finished in the table without the services of the Dane.
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United States
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