I had originally intended to write this blog and had planned it all out before Luis Suarez decided to chow down on Branislav Ivanovic’s arm. Alas, we digress and it gives more argument and debate to the following blog.
Despite what drama circulates Luis Suarez, it is clear to see the boy has incredible talent. Spellbinding footwork, excellent dribbling and a deathly finish. The Uruguayan has had his best season for Liverpool, scoring 23 goals and grabbing 8 assists in 33 Premier League games. A form which has seen him nominated for PFA Player of the Year. With his unique playing style Suarez has built up a dangerous reputation. Suarez’s stats for Uruguay are just as impressive with a total of 31 goals in just 62 games. Suarez embeds a technique where he tends to turn and run into players rather than dribbling round them. This without speaking the obvious, terrifies defenders, all Suarez needs is a lucky bounce or a deflection and he’s away with his electrifying pace.
With all the praise Suarez deserves for his incredible skills, there is still a very ugly side to his personality. Almost like the Jekyll and Hyde of football. Here is a list of the controversies Luis Suarez has been involved with:
2007: Suarez makes his senior debut for Uruguay and gets sent off in the 85th minute after receiving two yellow cards.
2007: In his first season for Ajax, Suarez was fine for a half-time altercation with fellow team-mate Albert Luque.
2010: Historically one of the most recognisable incidents of the 2010 World Cup, Suarez hand balled on the line to stop Ghana scoring in the 90th minute. Rightly Suarez was sent off, however Asamoah Gyan missed the penalty which could have sent Ghana through. Uruguay went on to triumph in the penalty shoot out and proceeded into the Semi-Finals.
2010: Suarez was banned for 7 games in the Dutch league for biting PSV Eindhoven’s Otman Bakkal in a domestic match.
2011: After a month long investigation Suarez was found guilty and charged with racially abusing Manchester United left back Patrice Evra. Suarez was fined £40,000 and given an 8 match ban.
2013: In the 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Chelsea, Suarez was involved in a tangle with Blues defender Branislav Ivanovic, in which he bit down on Ivanovic’s right arm. The incident was not seen by the referee and Suarez stayed on the pitch. Causing more controversy, Suarez then scored a late goal to level the game. Liverpool went on to fine their Forward for an undisclosed amount and the FA banned him for 10 games.
With the overwhelming evidence shown it’s pretty clear that Suarez has an evil streak within him. Reds defender Jamie Carragher even stated in his column for the Daily Mail that: ‘Rather than hounding him out of the country, shouldn’t we be helping him?’. Liverpool fans, as much as they would prefer Suarez to do the things he does, will also be very quick to forgive and forget. With what he brings to the team, Liverpool will not want to lose him and if Suarez feels like the fans are against him it wouldn’t be too long before he walks. At the age of 26, Suarez is starting to enter the prime of his career, with already impressive statistics next to him name, the question begs how much better can Suarez get?
Working his way up, from club to bigger club Suarez is ready to take the leap to an even bigger club. But where to go? Suarez will not stay in the Premier League after Liverpool, with the reputation he has Suarez will look elsewhere. Three clubs which spring to mind are Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Bayern Munich: Difficult to find where to slot into this impressive side, but Pep Guardiola may look to imbed a striker who will show flair as well as grab assists which is important to the German side. Suarez will certainly find silverware at this club as long as he doesn’t mind being on the bench every now and then.
Real Madrid: With Cristiano Ronaldo as a linchpin and Benzema and Higuain for goal back up, Real Madrid have a pretty solid outfit. Although with Benzema and Higuain never really sealing full-time positions Suarez could take this role. The rumors are still circulating as to either one of the Real forwards leaving, meaning a position would be vacant. Ronaldo works best behind a forward who he can work with, Suarez definitely has the capability to use his intricate skills to form a deadly frontier with Ronaldo.
Barcelona: For me the most likely out of the destinations. No matter who you have in the squad Messi will still always get you goals but Barcelona need to tie down a solid forward who can also bang them in. With last weeks 4-0 drumming by Bayern Munich and scraping past PSG it’s a big wake up call for the catalan side. David Villa hasn’t managed to tie down a regular start since coming back from injury and increasing speculation about him departing in the summer makes this move the ever more likely.
Suarez does indeed have the world at his feet, but can he take it? More importantly will clubs want to offer him the chance to play there? Suarez needs to show that he isn’t all Mr Hyde and to get his head down and concentrate on his game. If he can do this then Suarez has a very bright future ahead of him. Champions League medals and League winner’s medals await Suarez, time to act your age.
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