Who’s Hot/Who’s Not

By: chris | February 24th, 2008

Hot.:.

Carlos Tevez.: By the time this guy retires, every team he plays for is going to erect a statue in his honor outside the stadium. Hardly a more likable player in the world (shirt aside)…..and hardly a better player in the world.

Antonio Cassano.: 5 goals in the last 8 games, but he is unquestionably The creative influence in Sampdoria, and has been carrying them on his back over the last couple months. Today he scored another beaut in a 1-1 draw with Inter, aiding his most beloved Roma (slightly) in the process. And I’m sure Roberto Donadoni was watching…

AFC Ajax.: You can’t add Johan Cruijff and Marco van Basten in the span of two days (officially, at least) and not expect to do a few things right in the very near future. And no matter how you feel about Ajax (Feyenoord fans), some sustained legitimacy in Europe from the Amsterdamers does nothing but improve the reputation of the Eredvisie, and make European football that much more enticing. These two may bring a return to Ajax of old or they may not, but each step in the right direction is something. Now, if only those two can convince Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to stick around….

German Clubs In Europe.: They had 6 teams entering into the week. Four moved into the next round of the UEFA Cup, Schalke took a 1-0 first leg lead in the Champions League knockout rounds and Nurnberg was rightfully sent home with much bigger fish to fry (namely relegation). Werder and HSV were sitting pretty heading into their fixtures, but Bayern and Bayer had work to do. Answer? Each demolished the opposition with 5 goals. Good week to be a German in Europe. (Albeit in the UEFA Cup, mostly, but that’s just details.)

Not.:.

Martin Taylor.: Intentional or unintentional, that was a terribly wreckless challenge which has no business being on the pitch. In a world of sport where careers can be decided by millimeters and milliseconds, timing that poor is appalling. Maybe he shouldn’t be booted for life, but he should be sat down for a very long time and instructed how to properly time a tackle.

Chelsea.: Not a good week to be a Blue. First Avram sat some of the big boys in anticipation of a walk through a Greek park, but they only sulked away with a very disappointing 0-0 draw. Then it was revealed they had classless poacher a Reggina Calcio youth player by dropping a helicopter into their training ground and flying him to The Promised Land (aka Stamford Bridge). Then they watched their bid for a quad quashed by an extra-time goal in the Carling Cup final. They’ll be looking forward to Monday.

Martin Jol.: Sir, you quite clearly sucked. That is all.

Papa Waigo’s Shorts.: I need to get a picture of these things. They would’ve left even John Stockton’s testicles gasping for air. Who knew Fiorentina made their shorts in boys XS?