We’ve all heard about Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini and how they were badly injured at Saturday’s game at Reading, and the Walrus has even offered to loan Chelski a keeper on loan while they are struggling in that position.

And Jens has aired his views, saying:

“First of all let me say that I hope both Carlo Cudicini and Petr Cech recover quickly. When it happened I really felt sorry for both keepers. It made me really, really angry too. We’re here two days later and I’m still upset because it happened to Schwarzer and Shay Given. Now it’s happened to Peter Cech and Carlo Cudicini. All of them are great keepers, very brave, they never went to challenge or harm the striker but all four of them got knocked out due to ‘clumsy’ challenges.

“This word clumsy makes me really angry as well because these stupid pundits on TV they say sometimes ‘it’s clumsy’ and ‘it’s a man’s game’. Yes it is a man’s game but what you have to consider as well is these men have children and wives and their children don’t want to see their fathers end up with lifelong damage, driven around in a wheelchair or not being able to work anymore.

“I’m worried because my game is based on coming off the line so I’m a potential target. I know that people sometimes laugh about me when I make them aware ahead of corners or prior to free-kicks when people only come into challenge me, to push me or to elbow me but now you see that for these keepers it was a really bad outcome.”

What Jens said made me think – do goalkeepers get enough protection?

Yes, people (me included) always laugh when Lehmann is causing a fuss in his penalty area – even resorting to pushing over the oppostion if they get too close – but does he have a point?

Cech and Cudicini suffered serious head injuries, Shay Given was involved in an incident with Harewood which was ‘likened to a car crash’ by his doctor and Mark Schwarzer has to wear a protective mask over his face.

Goalkeepers will always go for the ball with their hands in a 50/50 situation but inevitably the outfield players will attack the ball with their studs, legs and sometimes if the ball is in the air with their elbows.

The question is what is acceptable and what is not.

Obviously if outfield players go for the ball in the 50/50 then they are entitled to slide or use their arms if the ball is in the air – but the goalkeepers usually go in with their hand and face.

Maybe ‘Crazy Jens’ is making a big deal about nothing – but then again he might just have a valid point…

Walcott Was Bamboozling A Different German Keeper Last Night…

I said I hated the International break and to be honest, I still do. But when Theo Walcott scores two great goals against Germany then it can’t help bring a smile to your face!

Theo’s first goal came on 83 minutes after he latched onto a long ball over the top from England U21 left-back Leighton Baines and he coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

And then on 91 minutes, Theo picked the ball up on the halfway line and well – you’ll have to watch the goal to believe it!

Quicker than Henry? I don’t know, but he can finish like him!

And at 17, he can only get better?

God help the rest of The Premiership!

Theo has praised Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie, saying training with them has helped his finishing. On Henry, he said:

I train with him every day, Robin’s the same, too, their finishing is unbelievable. But it’s great to be able to learn from the best.”

Videos

Theo Walcott – 1st Goal vs. Germany [watch video]
Theo Walcott – 2nd Goal vs. Germany [watch video]

Wenger & Gallas Will Respond In Time…

The International break has got to be one of the most annoying things that can happen in a football season. I hate it with a vengance – especially when England managed to make Macedonia look like a decent team! Maybe we should support Scotland considering they’re top of a group that has the two World Cup finalists in! Anyway, enough about Internationals…

Arsene Wenger has re-opened the Cashley Cole/Chelsea saga and has said:

“What was really annoying was they contacted Ashley Cole two or three days before a match with Manchester United which was a crucial game for us.

“I’ll talk about what happened later for there were things said in that meeting that were impossible for Arsenal to accept.”

And to be honest with Cole’s book probably filled with lies and false accusations then Arsene has a right to voice his opinions on the matter. Arsene knows…

And Mr Wenger proved yet again that he is a genius by telling us that Scotland could be France’s toughest test – and we all know Scotland beat France 1-0!

Meanwhile, William Gallas has threatened to reveal all with the dealings with Chelski in a television interview. He wants to straighten everything out and he believes that by discussing the issues on TV that nothing will be misconstrued – which is fair enough.

To be honest, it’s probably better leaving everything alone but on the other hand it’s good to show that Chelski can’t just go around saying what they like about other teams and other players.

In other news, Super Jens has stated his desire to stay at Arsenal for another season – which is a bit of a u-turn from when he said next year he’ll be moving back to Germany.

With his form over the last few seasons you’d have to say that Arsenal would probably offer Jens a new deal and at 36, should have a couple of seasons left in him. But we’ll wait and see what develops.

You’ll notice that some of the stories are a couple of days old – that’s partly because I’ve been away but also because nothing really happens in the International break. Did I tell you I think it’s crap?