I've Been Trying

Lifting my not-talking-about-Ronaldo-or-Tevez embargo for a day. For Ronaldo because of these statements:

A statement on Madrid's website read: "Real Madrid and Manchester United have signed a final agreement for the transfer of the rights of Cristiano Ronaldo from July 1.

"The player will be tied to Real Madrid for the next six seasons and will be presented on July 6 at the Santiago Bernabeu."

United said on their website: "Cristiano Ronaldo's departure is all but done and dusted after Real Madrid and Manchester United finalised the agreement for his transfer on Friday evening.

"The Portuguese winger was the subject of a world record £80 million offer from the Spanish club on Thursday 11 June. He has since been on holiday but a return to work with new employers now beckons, with the sale set to be completed on Wednesday 1 July."

For Tevez because he's quoted in the papers today about his reasons for leaving - I'll quote the meat:

"Ever since Berbatov was signed, I felt like I was being left aside.
"He arrived and he had his place in the starting line-up guaranteed."

A few facts (cribbed from here) - In his first season Tevez started 39 games. In his second 34. In his first he started 6 European games, in his second, 4. Berbatov started 36 games this season, 5 in Europe. Not really much difference is there? Yes Tevez played less Premier League games in his second season than his first season, and less than Berbatov. But to say that Berbatov somehow prevented him playing, like it didn't matter what Berbatov did. His previous complaint about not starting big games, couldn't Berbatov make the same complaint (6 players started 10 or more European games)? The rest of the quote is equally silly:

"When I arrived at United, I knew I had to adapt and fight for my place.

"We won many things. But in the second year, I had a problem and I had to travel to Buenos Aires.

"I went back to Manchester and we played Liverpool.

"I started alongside Berbatov and we also had Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. I scored our only goal but we lost 2-1.

"The following week, they all started and I was benched. I felt from that moment on, Ferguson started to relegate me in the pecking order.

"I suffered a lot during this last season. I feel they didn't respect me. But I always had a great relationship with Ferguson. He called a few days ago and told me he wanted to have me for next season."

First season he knew he had to fight for his place, there was no guarantee. Why in the second season doesn't he recognise the same? Why does he think that he should have a guaranteed place. Is that why he was down "the pecking order"? Because he wasn't trying? And the "I suffered a lot?" Jesus. Drama queen. He's probably better suited to a club where he won't have to "fight for his place" because there's less quality there, Man City seems like a perfect fit, he wouldn't want to "suffer" by having to compete with Drogba and Anelka would he?
And here's a very stupid "story" from The Independent - how to report nothing whatsoever -

Sergio Aguero's agent claims he knows nothing about Manchester United's supposed interest in the Atletico Madrid striker. ...

"I have no information about this offer from Manchester United," Segui told Calciomercato.it. "I have not been contacted by anyone, nor by other teams.

"I have not read president Cerezo's comment, the only thing I can say with certainty is that the player wants to stay at Atletico.

"Inter? I have not had any conversations with them.

"Honestly, I don't know if Atletico have met other clubs."

Papers make up stories and then express surprise when there isn't any fact in their story...

As a special bonus, because choosing the post title reminded me just how amazing the tune is, here's The Impressions, "I've Been Trying" -



Keep on trying...