Chelsea are Champions again and an England star is out with another broken metartasal. Exactly six weeks to the England's opening match of the World Cup.
Looking back:
DAVID BECKHAM: April 2002. Broke second metatarsal of left foot. Out for 9 weeks.
GARY NEVILLE: April '02. Fifth metatarsal, left foot. 21 weeks.
DANNY MURPHY: June '02. Second left metatarsal. 11 weeks.
WAYNE ROONEY: June 'O4. Fifth metatarsal, right foot. 10 weeks.
STEVEN GERRARD: Sept '04. Fifth metatarsal, right foot. 8 weeks.
SCOTT PARKER: Dec '04. Second metatarsal, right foot. 4 months.
ASHLEY COLE: Oct '05. Fifth metatarsal, right foot. 5 months.
MICHAEL OWEN: Dec '05. Fifth metatarsal, right foot. 5 months
LEDLEY KING: April '06. Fourth metatarsal, left foot. 3 weeks.
ROONEY: April '06. Fourth metatarsal in right foot. 6 weeks.
So what is it about England and the metatarsal bone?
I read somewhere that the new blade stud boots makes players more prone to injuries but its really difficult to find the traditional 6 or 13 stud (or whatever they have these days). Tried to look for a pair for my son but didn't find any in his size.
For me, England as usual, is the sentimental choice to win the WC. But now Rooney is out, Owen is out. So back to traditional favourites Brasil.
Traditional Choice
England as a World Cup winner is a romantic choice. Even with Rooney fully fit, they would still be just that: a romantic choice. Perhaps, the way we have been exposed to them cause us to believe in their chanches, year in year out.
Having said that, perhaps this World Cup could be their best chance yet. Having a strong England is very good for football. But the methodical German would have rid of them anyway! (The script is almost like a Drama Minggu Ini)