Quentins.

Sunday, December 17, 2006

...

The story of Deverino

Main Characters: Rafael Benitez
Scala Deverino
Ferguson, Warnock, Mourinho

It all started with Rafa Benitez watching through videos of players that his scouts have gathered across the globe. Players who can run, jump, shoot, pass. Nothing impressive, most of his players can already do that with their eyes blindfolded. Then there was this very player. He combines strength with grace, speed with balance. At a mere 18 years of age, Scala Deverino is slowly evolving into the new age sensation. All that needs to be done now is to polish this piece of stone. Rafa brought him to Liverpool on a free transfer and signed a one year contract. Many thought Rafa had lost it when he brought Deverino over to his side. Rafa kept his faifth and became a personal mentor to this striker who has to adapt to an absolutely new environment.

Everyday Rafa would take time off his busy schedule to make sure Deverino is well and happy. A few months passed, Deverino slowly became a piece of precious gem. He became the joint top scorer of the Premier League with a tally of 25 goals in 30 games, a feat that all strikers would die to have. After spending a season in England, Deverino became one of the most sort of the strikers in the world. His estimated value is an astounding figure of 24 million. Rafa had been trying to persuade Deverino to extend his contract through the year but he rejected saying he needs to make sure Liverpool is the club to be in. The months passed and it is the time for Deverino to make a decision. Stay with the club that groomed to you to what you become today or go to a club for other benefits that will elude him if he stays on at Liverpool.

With the transfer windoe opening in a few weeks, rumours began to splash on the front page of every newspaper in town. Deverino was first spotted spending much of his personal time with Ferguson at the local gym. They seemed more than just people who wanted to know each other while working out. Then there was Mourinho who sent Deverino home after his daily training in the posh car of his sponsored by the sugar daddy. Warnock tried to be cute and charmed Deverino with his humour.

Rafa did not say much. He knows the attraction of what other clubs hold for Deverino. He knows how much Deverino wanted to move. But deep inside, Rafa always has the slight hope that Deverino will stay with the club. It was June. The feeling of guilt crawled into the heart of Deverino. He knows it would be mean if he move to other clubs at this point of time. Against his heart, he unwillingly stayed on.

Again, he impressed during the new season becoming the top scorer once more. This time it was Barcelona that came knocking on the door. Its not everyday Barcelona comes finding players and Deverino knows it. He knows other clubs will be dere drooling over his signature but not Barcelona. This makes Barcelona the most attractive club to be at now. He decided to be Liverpool as well as the rest of the clubs drooling over him on hold and started negotiating with Barcelona behind Rafa's back.

Poor Rafa, he still thought Deverino will remain loyal to him n the club after all he had been through. But this is the real world, things dun happen that way. People always pursue what they cant have. Deverino is the exact example. Barcelona played Deverino the way they wanted to. It was the eve of the end on the transfer window, Rafa decided to give it a try to have a heart to heart talk with Deverino. But he knows he dun stand much chance. How many Steven Gerrards can there be? None. Theres only Gerrard who can do a U-turn and suddenly decide not to transfer to Chelsea even when everything has been finalised. Now, he is the heart and soul of Liverpool. Deverino is no such player and Rafa knows that.

Finally, Rafa decided to let Deverino go. He wants no such player at Liverpool. He wants a player who can fully devote himself to the club and contribute to a club. Not a disloyal n distracted player who will play with regrets. Deverino was sold for 28 million and Rafa used that money to bring in 3 excellent young players who will shine in the future.

The End.

left silently at ... 5:37 AM

-----------------------------