Two rather different attitudes to problem players are being demonstrated today, on either side of the Atlantic. Villarreal, who have a playmaker many sides would be delighted to get their hands on, are trying to get rid of Juan Román Riquelme. And River Plate, who have a second striker no-one else will touch with a bargepole, are strengthening their resolve to help rehabilitate Ariel Ortega.
Villarreal’s squad numbers for the coming season have been submitted, and Riquelme has been unceremoniously stripped of the number 8 shirt, and handed the number 16. There are clubs for whom this would be an honour – Manchester United, for instance – but for most in the latin world, it’s 1 – 11 or nothing. Just how many offers they’ve had, they aren’t revealing, but Boca are known to be exploring every avenue possible to sign J.R.R. on another six-month loan period. The Spaniards, though, will surely want a fee for him, if they can get it…
Ariel Ortega, meanwhile, has returned from Chile, where he was undergoing his latest course of treatment for alcoholism, to join up with River’s squad for pre-season training. Daniel Passarella was talking at length with him and whilst River surely won’t place quite so much faith in him as they did this time last year – when his need for treatment after a couple of weeks of the season left them without a key player – he appears willing to stick with El Burrito as at least a squad player.
Can Ortega turn things around? Can Riquelme find a new home, or will he too be coming back to where he started for another chance? All will be revealed…
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I’m not familiar beyond the basics with the Villarreal/Riquelme story – what’s behind the team’s apparent lack of regard for him, do you know?
As for Ortega, I’m glad to see him surface again, and I wish him all the best. He’s got a hard road ahead of him, but I’m sure I won’t be the only fan standing on the curb, cheering him on, and I’m very, very happy to see that Passarella and the club are continuing to support him. LOL – the good ones are never easy … :)
I’m a Boca fan and very sorry of what is happening to JRR. It seems it is another Macho fight between himself and Villareal’s coach. What a stupid fight! Hopefully we will see him defending the “azul y oro” in Japan in November!
Ortega is one of a kind… I’ve always suported him (though I’m a Boca fan!!!)… and I think he deserves to be in a futbol field… playing with the colors he loves (unluckly not the ones I love!). Wish him all the best!!!
First of all, apologies to both of you for slow replies. I’ve been away from home for the last two days at one of my cousins’ wedding. Lex, to answer your question, Riquelme had a falling-out with Manuel Pellegrini (Villarreal’s Chilean manager) at the start of last season. I’m not sure exactly what it was about but it was enough for him to be dropped from the team and obviously eventually to be sent back to Boca on loan.
It’s almost certainly merely coincidence, but Pellegrini was, a few years ago, pretty successful as manager of River Plate. Obviously the dispute can’t have been over anything that shallow (especially given that being Chilean, Pellegrini is hardly River through-and-through), but it’s an added peculiarity to the state of affairs… well, I thought so, anyway,