HATCHET MAN: Not even English, too old and discarded by Spain - why Almunia should never be allowed

30 April 2009 08:38
Manuel Almunia may have kept Arsenal in the Champions League at Manchester United but even if he won the competition singled handedlyhe shouldn't be allowed to play for England.[LNB]On talent alone the Spanish goalkeeper would be a reasonablecandidate to fill the gap between veteran David James and the buddingNo.1s coming through.[LNB]But it would be demeaning to England as a sporting nation if themanager resorted to a measure as desperate as encouraging Almunia towear the three lions.[LNB] [LNB]Are you watching Fabio? But does expect Manuel Almunia to be their saviour[LNB]Almunia is one of Spain's cast-offs. He is not a young player who they have not yet claimed or a talent they are unaware of.[LNB]He is a 31-year-old who spent all but the last five years of his careerplaying in the country of his birth and has always been deemedinsufficiently talented to earn a cap.[LNB]Almunia would qualify to play for England by virtue of having livedhere for five years while he has been at Arsenal and says he couldapply for a passport in January, yet it would be a marriage ofconvenience.[LNB]   More from Hatchet Man... HATCHET MAN: Forget heroic defending - limited Chelsea were just running scared against Barcelona30/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Does Moyes need a washed-up Liverpool legend/Newcastle failure at Goodison Park? He must be g-Owen mad...30/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Great for police overtime but a final nail in the SPL's coffin - the Premier League must hold firm in snubbing Rangers and Celtic30/04/09 HATCHET MAN: We only really have two games to save ourselves - Toon striker Owen surrenders six points29/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Even Benitez wouldn't try and replace Alonso with Barry a second time - he's not that mad29/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Forward thinking? Not a chance as Chelsea chess match sets the agenda for Fergie v Wenger29/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Here's Benitez's biggest test - proving us wrong over his record in the transfer market28/04/09 HATCHET MAN: Forget Messi v Bosingwa, it is Gibbs who is being thrown to the lions28/04/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Importing the manager is one thing, but adopting another country'splayers is another. It may be within the rules but if would just feellike cheating.[LNB]If it became common practice it would make the idea of internationalteams meaningless too. Surely things have not got so bad that this isthe only option for England. [LNB] Are you England's No 1? Arsenal's Spanish stopper Almunia could get Capello call[LNB][LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail