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| Saturday 17 May, 2008 |
| Blog: Dutch disgrace |
| Clarence Seedorf's reasons for withdrawing from the Holland squad for Euro 2008 have infuriated Richard Godden |
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Clarence Seedorf is a player who, although I may not have always rated him as highly as his ability deserved, I have always respected. That all changed when he pulled out of Holland's squad for the European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, before proceeding to give some ridiculous reasons for doing so. It's not quite up there with Stephen Ireland's tall tales to get out of international duty for the Republic of Ireland, but it has ensured that a lot of people will have lost respect for the Milan midfielder.
“It was a dream to play for Holland, but I already had that dream taken away from me for the World Cup in Germany. Therefore I couldn't have done anything else other than pull out or I would have been going against my integrity. Why did Marco Van Basten have preconceptions about me that influenced the way he valued me as a player? Once he said I was like a Hollywood star. I wish Holland all the best at Euro 2008, but it's better that Van Basten takes players he trusts.”
Reading between the lines, it seems to me that the four-time European Cup winner never had any intention of representing his country this summer. If that was the case, why did he accept Van Basten's invitation to return to the national side in the first place? If he didn't want to go against his integrity then he should have told the hero of Euro '88 “thanks, but no thanks” when the offer of a recall was made. Instead, he has just shown himself up as an arrogant fool who puts himself above the team. Don't listen to those saying his withdrawal is a selfless act - his comments have put paid to that theory.
Perhaps Clarence realised that with players such as Rafael Van Der Vaart, Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder in the squad there would be nothing more than a bench role for him. So rather than suffer that particular humiliation, he declares that Van Basten doesn't like him and so he's withdrawing to retain his integrity - but not before adding that he will be hoping to work his way into the plans of Bert Van Marwijk, who will be appointed after the tournament.
Will the new tactician even want a known troublemaker in the side? Not to mention someone who has been part of several Dutch disappointments in the past decade or so and probably retains the underachieving mentality which has plagued the Oranje almost as much as Spain. And what if Holland emerge victorious at Euro 2008 - why change a winning formula? It's a risky game being played by Seedorf and though the tournament may be worse off without his ability, it certainly doesn't need an attitude like his.
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Totally disagree and I can understand him 100 per cent, if he don't want to play then it's his decision. Why does Van Basten suddenly want him now and totally overlooked him at the last World Cup, when he was two years younger and even better? Who is the arrogant one?
Erik
The blog on Clarence Seedorf borders on disrespect! If a player pulls out of International duty, it is his decision. Regardless of Seedorf's motives, who is Richard Godden to judge him? Has Richard Godden won four Champions League Finals? Has Richard Godden won League championships? I could rest my case there but...
Clarence Seedorf is one of the finest footballers in the world and his exclusion from the Dutch national team during the last World Cup must have been tough for him. He was included in qualifying games and proved to be a valuable member of that team, therefore you would expect him to figure in the Euro Championship.
I am personally very disappointed that he will not be playing this summer, as I enjoy watching him play every time I go to see Milan! And it would be good to see him prove himself yet again on the big stage, despite how many people will try to knock him or put him down (i.e. Godden) Seedorf's career speaks for itself and his ability and display on the pitch is not overshadowed by many other players! Don't forget that he was awarded the best midfield player of the year for last seasons european competitions!
Yes, the Dutch national team does have some quality within and as such, if they are that much better, then Clarence Seedorf will not be missed! He was though, missed during the World Cup, when he was left out of the side. Marco Van Basten was a magnificent player and at some point he called time on his International career, so should not be surprised by Clarence Seedorf's decision.
Add to the fact that Clarence Seedorf is a very nice bloke, he does many things for under privileged people and he is an advocate for the development of football in Surinam, where he is actually native!! People like Mr Godden, really need to look at the bigger picture before they write an article such as this!
Andy, Milan
Just when I thought these blogs actually spoke truth and decency, this one has just enraged me to the highest level. As a Milan fan I am clearly not going to take sides between Seedorf and Van Basten initially, but my heart goes for Seedorf. For previous years Holland have been expected to do more in international tournaments than seen but surely the problem was that they did not have enough players whom were playing at there finest peak and match winning status than expected, why?
We all know Holland are one of the finest countries in the world to make talent home grown and then gradually brought abroad to apply their trade in other Leagues, but with all this youth coming through and their selection in the national team where do the experienced flourish of the likes of Seedorf, Davids, and before the World Cup 2006 neglected Van Nistelrooy. These are the players crucial to any team especially nationally who can bring experience, professionalism and consistent to games but are not given the opportunity as Van Basten prefers to use the likes of Babel, Van Persie, and Robben, all young players who can't hold a candle to what the likes of Seedorf has achieved throughout his illustrious career. When people watch Clarence Seedorf they say how he brings back his old self in a virtuoso performance, but hasn't he been doing that year after year? He is consistent, professional, and one of the finest players of the last decade without anyone loosing respect for him and I'll be damned if it starts now through this incident with Holland.
With all do respect to Van Basten if you are not going to play Seedorf from the start of matches than there is no reason for him to be there. It shows his lack or respect for Seedorf, he has been playing to a consistent high standard every year, and has won many trophies to show this being the Champions League with three different clubs, a Club World Cup, Scudetto, and many other divine trophies to add to his name, but still not selected as a starter, over who Van Persie, Babel, Robben, Sneijder, who are these people they do not start week in and week out for one of the most greatest clubs in the world let alone have hardly any trophies or awards to their name (best midfielder of 2007 Seedorf). I mean its a joke that they are selected before Seedorf, would Donadoni select Gamberini over Cannavaro because recently he has been playing good, of course not, its because of respect and trust which clearly Van Basten shows nothing to Seedorf.
I understand that Holland have not been achieving recently of what is expected for them but is it really to the fault of the likes of Seedorf his era of players, no. So go ahead Van Basten just let Seedorf walk and see what you win......... That's right you won't, again, and have fun against Italy as you did have the choice to field someone who has experience against Italian defenders and players but you let him walk. Good decision Seedorf as you may be getting gears and bad comments from critics like Richard Godden but after the Euro 2008 is over Van Basten will be left with regret with another countless 'wrong choice'.
Stefano Sartori
Reading between the lines more carefully, i can see where Seedorf came from. If your dream is taken away, whatever it may be, you can imagine that you will be very very disappointed. If he nod the call up for Germany 2006, I don't think he will ever say no to Van Basten this time around. My point is, pointing the finger only at Seedorf would be totally unfair. As a free man, Seedorf has every right to reject Van Basten. However, every Holland fans may feel disappointed with Seedorf's decision because by rejecting the call up, he turned his back to the fans. I believe he still has a lot to give to the national side and Holland needs him without a doubt, so to put his differences with Van Basten aside and accepted the call-up look like a better call.
Andrew, Milan's fan
A comment which should have been in trash rather than in channel4.com. Richard Godden confirmed that he has problem of judgment in regard to Seedorf by saying "I may not have always rated him as highly as his ability deserved." Thus he can't accept his personal decision to not to go to the finals after helping his country to achieve the spot. I strongly believe that Seedorf, like other players, would like to play in the final but also realized that he is less than he deserves( at this time Van basten may thinking like Richard Godden). Thus seedorf has done the right decision to help his nation reach the finals but withdraw himself 'not to suffer the undervaluation'. Seedorf rather should rather get the credit for such a wonderful move.
Kifle
I agree entirely. Seedorf has always struck me as having a bad attitude. Why did Holland always have problems in their camp when the players from his era ruled the roost? I also agree that his decision to play the qualifiers and then pull out of the final squad smacks of malicious intent. If his beef with MVB relates to WC 06 then he knew he had this bitter grudge when he was called up for the qualifiers, so why accept the call? What happened to his integrity back then?
I hope Holland go on and win Euro 2008 without Seedorf and that the new boss doesn't let him come back. The Dutch Olympic squad should also tell him where to get off - we all know that won't happen. The overpaid, prima donna babies like Seedorf will stamp their feet and get what they want. At the end of this sorry affair MVB comes out looking a class act - he recalled Seedorf after initially discarding him, therefore showing he can recognise mistakes he has made. As for Seedorf his petulant attitude is still there and always has been under the surface it seems. It will be his loss, nobody will cry that he isn't at Euro 2008.
Scott Jackson
Don’t be silly. Clarence Seedorf would still have been the top attacking midfield player on that Dutch team. They are after all the most over-rated footballing country in the world. Maybe they produce talent, but they have no idea how to win when it comes to crunch time. They are entertainers not winners.You are assassinating Mr. Seedorf, when you should be applauding him for sticking to his morals after Van Basten shunned him in the first place last time. I am positive Clarence would desperately want to play for the Orange again, but in refusing to do so, he is showing that his values are more important than a call-up.
Giuseppe De Palo |
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