Liverpool contain Pennant’s Criminal Behavior

Written By admin; Related posts in Europe, Football Scandals

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez made a good decision in acquiring Jermaine Pennant from Arsenal despite his reckless driving, alcoholic behavior and attitude problems.

Was it Risky to sign Jermaine?

Who cares? At £6.7million, the winger they acquired ranks number 1 in Premiership with 497 crosses last season, a feat bigger than what was paid for him. They got a superb right-midfield player sans his attitude, for almost £6.0million less than what was asked for by Sevilla for Daniel Alves.

Benitez knows the attitude problem of Pennant and gladly accepts the excess baggage with him as the upside outweighs the downside. He is no stranger to players with a decorated past as his signing of Craig Bellamy is in the same wave length of Jermaine but proved to be a good choice for the club.

Given Pennant’s high regard for Liverpool and his enthusiastic attitude of playing in his dream team, he would at least stay away from harm for the early stages of his Liverpool life. He would push into a sane zone that would see him behaving all the time.

Will Jermaine’s Behavior Last?

If the ecstasy of playing for his dream team fades, it is possible that he could become complacent with his discipline once again and go back to his ways.

Benitez believes that joining a club as great as Liverpool makes a positive, life-changing decision for any player and Jermaine is no exception; but neither is he invincible to thwart away all vices?

Below is the excerpt of Benitez thoughts on this transfer: We know it’s similar to Craig Bellamy because this is Jermaine’s last opportunity to show he is a good player at a really big club.

When you sign a player that’s been at a big club before but had problems, you know he will think more about the consequences of everything he does, and that’s a positive thing.

Of course there is some risk in the deal, but there is risk in every transfer. It doesn’t matter who you sign, you must wait and see if it’s successful.

Benitez added: These players know more about the importance of doing the right things. It’s a big motivation for them to hear people say they’re more mature, are different and have the quality to play for a top club.

It’s easier to sign a player who everyone knows is good and has never had any problems, but I believe when a player changes, shows he is more mature and proves to everyone he has the quality and the ability to end any problems, that makes him an even better player and person.

[tags]Liverpool, Europe[/tags]

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Thursday, July 27, 2006

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