Case of Joselu highlights reverse thinking


A Manchester United fan from Macclesfield rang a radio phone-in on Saturday night to express his desire to see the club he supported field a ‘B’ side in the English leagues. It is an idea that has been mooted by foreign managers from Arsene Wenger to Andre Villas-Boas but has been declared ‘fanciful’ by traditionalists and many ‘morally correct’ former professional footballers.

The presenter of the radio show, rightly, quizzed his caller as to a) why he didn’t support Macclesfield and b) what would happen if Manchester United reserves took the 16th position of League 2 which the Moss Rose side currently occupy?

His answer that he was desperate to travel to Torquay on a Tuesday night to see a mixture of kids and crocks play took some believing.

At this point, and after a bit of internet research, I’d like to highlight the case of a German-born Spaniard called Joselu (above). A ‘promising player, one for the future’ – but then again, who at the Santiago Bernabeu isn’t?

The only problem is that the talented 21 year old plays the majority of his football for Real Madrid’s second string side ‘Castilla’ – who sit top of the Segunda Division B – yet can seemingly flit, according to Jose Mourinho’s demands, between the two sides.

The loan system then, as well as the dynamics of a fully functioning league, completely go out the window. If England takes note of the practices of Spanish football which has seen the national side pave the way to European and World domination – then surely following in the footsteps of their domestic game is a compromise too far?

Oliver Kay accurately weighted an argument against such a system in yesterday’s Times newspaper. It would be a preposterous idea for say Chelsea or Arsenal’s reserve side to take the place of a Watford or Millwall.

Imagine if Arsenal’s reserves found themselves in the same division as their landlords Barnet FC for a league game at Underhill, who uses the home dressing room?

Many youngsters up and down the country are persuaded, usually by their fathers, that so-and-so club will be the one that will follow ardently – no matter of triumph or failure.

There are too many wrinkles in this harebrained idea and while some clubs have bigger fan bases, richer bank balances and some richer history, no league pyramid system in World football is more understood and priceless to the fans – just ask those of Darlington FC – whose heart temporarily stopped in midweek –what they would do to preserve their club’s existence.

Comments

  1. Mikey Lee10 February 2012 at 02:25

    Think you are totally correct with this Mr Biltcliffe

    Too many a time, a player has been hyped up as being the next pele, the next bobby charlton etc. And this label does not help the player but restricts their progress. Having a B team would increase these expectations, and when they finally make it to the 'A Team' and they will fail to deliver and its a hard hole to get out of. I dont think many teams can afford to do it either, just some wishful thinking rally. But what are the reserve matches for?

    I think teams should look at Barca and how they sell players such as Bojan, Romeu and Motta to other teams, knowing they'll get more first team opportunities. But a clause in their contracts allows the selling club the option to buy back the player at the end of each season, where every season they dont buy them back the players values rises if they perform. Everybody wins in this scenario

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