The Boy From Basque Country

Reading the headlines recently i chanced over a report that Juventus were trying to booster their squad with acquisitions from all over the continent, they have been linked with the powerful forward Amauri, Frank Lampard and Xabi Alonso recently and it was the latter that struck me as chilling. As an emoter of the beautiful game and also a hardcore Liverpool fan, the idea that Liverpool would part with their playmaker is unthinkable. Casting my mind back to pre-Benitez and at the end of Houlliers reign, the on field turmoil was plain to see. Our saviour of many seasons Steven Gerrard had pulled us through to Champions League football even though we had Bruno Cheyrou, Diouf and Diao all trying their best to deny us that right. Thankfully, Houllier was sacked, he had come to a natural end of his powers. Rafa Benitez arrived to sort out Liverpool's over reliance on Gerrard's ever growing abilities and his first port of call was to sign quality as foil for the talisman. His first act was to bring Alonso in as a balance for Gerrard for £10.5 Million and the squad has grown better ever since. In that first season, along with Luis Garcia, Xabi Alonso showed why Rafa had faith in him, in his deep play making role, his vision and passing garnered praise from around the world labelling him as one of the best passers of the ball in the modern game. Jan Molby, who could pick a pass once commented that 'Once,I was watching him play for Real Sociedad and just kept saying, Yep,that's the right pass, that's the right movement of play'.

Xabi's range of passing and shooting ability has spectacular moments such as his 65 yard goal against Luton and then a year later from behind the halfway line beating Steve Harper. Xabi himself has preferred the latter goal as it went straight,no bouncing involved. He has grown in maturity since his arrival in England and though now having to compete with Mascherano for the midfield slot, Xabi is such a valuable addition. His footballing intellect is one that not many can achieve with such consistency, as good at the short as well as the long pass, Xabi's control over games much like conductor can often be seen as he always plays deep to help out defenders, his stocky build makes him hard to push off the ball and with space he can pick a defence splitting pass from nowhere. This coming summer, Alonso will be playing in Euro 2008 as a back up for Xavi and the Younger Fabregas but his quality is unquestioned, he signalled the start of the Rafalution, and with it the grand prize of the Champions Cup in which he along with Gerrard and Hamann were instrumental. He is well loved by fans for his exploits and commitment as well as the odd goal from the halfway line or two. If he is allowed to leave, I believe the Rafalution will be taking a step back and regret losing one of its main characters.