UPDATE: Following from the "official" approach made by Bartha which I spoke about below, the club have, god bless their souls, come out quickly with their own "official" response. In sum: "To be clear, we will not make any kind of counterproposal or enter into any discussion. Barcelona have publicly stated that they will respect our position and we expect that they will keep their word." Actually, the last line should read: "We hope they will respect our position as human beings of normal IQ, but fully expect that they will be total arses and not do so. But, we're cool."
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Way better to talk first about an Arsenal player than Cesc Fabregas at this point. So here goes.
First off, I do apologise for the laziness. There really has been jack-shit to talk about, until now. Surprise, surprise then - the British media is all awash about how Theo has missed the England cut. He's failed, booted off the plane, hived off back home to his Playstation in shame. There's been all sorts of rubbishy rehashing of national angst and explanations about why and why not. But seriously...
I for one thought that he should be on the plane. Let me tell you why. First, any Arse fan would readily admit that he has been generally crap this season. Injuries. Crap form. Whatever. Over the course of Aug 2009-May 2010, we'd basically seen 1% of Theo Walcott. And I for one, have gotten tired of his performances. On his most recent form, there was no way in hell I'd have stuck him in the starting 11 of any Arsenal first team.
But let's be clear. We're talking Englang here. Not Arsenal. England. As in the national team. I'm sure there'll be many out there who will courteously provide an alternative viewpoint - but mine simply is that let's get real. The England national team in recent weeks have been crap. Just about as good as Theo Walcott. And probably won't get anywhere near the final. So he deserved a place on the plane. Not that he's any better than what most neutral observers would suggest, but that England aren't that bloody good to begin with!
Poor Theo then. Couldn't even get into the England team. Oh sigh. Where next? Misfit teenager in 2006, and outcast in 2010. Yes, "Mr Capello" has promised that he's firmly in his plans for EURO 2012 qualification. Fat-load of shit these promises are worth!
Elsewhere, our friends in Bartha have told us that their talks over Cesc are now "formal". Mmm. Yes, thank you very much. Suddenly had an idea though. Maybe we should offer Cesc to Mourinho and Real. Yes, Jose will probably not be interested. But stick a price tag of 50p on the boy, and I'm sure he wouldn't mind. A nice ultimatum to Cesc: 50p to Real, agree personal terms with them, or have fun in the Arsenal reserves.
What this all means for me, then, is quite simple. I'm not going to be much of a Spain fan this World Cup. I used to love the team. Absolutely loved them. But I don't think I could now take the sight of Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Pique, Busquets, Pedro, Valdes and now Villa having their little love-fest orgy with Cesc on the pitch. Screw them.
Walcott not being in the England team also makes it even simpler for me re England. There now won't even be an iota of guilt and sadness in the joy that their losing would bring me.
So just who would I be really rooting for then? I'd have said Spain earlier, but not now of course. Not Brazil as well. Most teams since the 1980's have just irritated me. Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho. You get the drift. Not Argentina (see: Maradona/Messi). Not France (which is sad, and only because of Domenech).
Which leaves me: Holland for sure, even Denmark - we all love a real, likeable darkhorse, and why not Italy. And oh yes - the US too. Oh, what I'd give to see them beat England. If only for that.
All in all, I can't wait. Can you?
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