When clubs evaluate a potential singing, they will consider a number of factors before parting with their millions. High on the list, regardless of position, is fitness. The gruelling number of games coupled with the hectic winter period see players from overseas struggle to adjust to the Premier League. Players with a history of injuries will deter a club from obtaining their services simply because they will see little return on their investment in the way of appearances alone.
Some clubs will gamble on a player’s fitness, entrusting their medical staff to nurture the player accordingly. Stoke City took a very different view with Senegalese striker Demba Ba. Back in January 2011, the 26 year old arrived in the potteries ahead of his £5.9m move from Hoffenheim.
After 2 hours and an extensive medical the deal was off. Fractures to his tibia and fibula in 2006 and a reoccurring troublesome knee convinced Tony Pulis to pull out of the deal. An earlier move to Stuttgart broke down due to similar circumstances.
Ba’s move to England seemed to be in the balance. But he had experienced English football before. He attended a trial at Barnsley in 2004 before signing a one year deal at Watford. But Ba found himself out of Aidy Boothroyds plans and left after 10 months at Vicarage Road. What they would give for this revitalised lethal marksman. Ba eventually signed for West Ham and although scoring 7 goals in 12 games, failed to keep the East Enders afloat as they slumped to relegation. A relegation clause in his contract saw the Senegalese striker leave Upton Park on a free and headed 300 miles north to Newcastle.
17 games, 14 goals and 2 hat tricks later and the promise that Demba Ba had shown his entire career was coming to the fore. He was picked in ESPN’s Premier League’s best 11 for the first half of the season and is currently nestled between Robin Van Persie and Sergio Arguero at the summit of the league’s top goal scorers. As the transfer window looms large, Newcastle will have to prepare for a month without their prized striker as he leaves for the African Cup Of Nations with his native Senegal.
His only superior in terms of goals is the Dutch sensation Robin Van Persie. No stranger to the physio’s room himself. Blessed with undoubted talent, Van Persie’s career has been blighted with injury, yet he remains a great amongst the premier league elite. A broken toe followed by a broken foot greeted him in his first two seasons in England. Whilst away with Holland in 2007 he suffered a knee injury that would limit his club appearances throughout the subsequent season. More recently, again with Holland, he tore ankle ligaments which were expected to keep him out for 6 weeks. However, further tests saw Van Persie sidelined for 5 months.
The turn of 2011 would see the Dutchman launch an attack on Alan Shearers record for the most goals in a calendar year. Now just 2 goals short of Shearers 36 goal record, the Arsenal skipper, like his Newcastle counterpart, is demonstrating how a clean bill of health can amount to a peak in performance.
Van Persie maybe more so than Demba Ba has always had a masterful talent capable of conquering the goal scoring charts. 2011 has seen the emergence of a player with a viciously lethal left foot and the majestic wizardry in his technique.
Now both players have overcome their injury woes it is them that are now inflicting the pain on their Premier League opponents. The two top goal scorers in the Premier League, Van Persie and Ba are living proof that injury breeds inconsistency whilst games give you goals.Dale Moon
No comments:
Post a Comment