THE MYSTERY AND MYTHOLOGY OF NUMBER 7 IN THE SOCCER WORLD. Universally, the symbols otherwise known as numbers have significantly played invaluable role in differentiation and identification. In almost every game, the importance of identification has remain a prerequisite. Just like names share in this very vital role, save that some names typically are pretty difficult to pronounce and incomprehensible. However, names and numbers have effectively become veritable additives that almost every player must have to access the game of soccer. While various numbers have been used as a means of identification, a certain number has been attributed to Luck. When one reflects on number 7 in the game of soccer, very many successful players are recalled to mind. It is therefore, fascinating to think of the spectacular displays of Billy Meredith, Stanley Matthews, Raymond Kopa, Manolo Garrincha, George Best, Allan Simonsen, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, Luis Figo, Raúl González, Andrei Shevchenko, David Villa and Cristiano Ronaldo. The poser here is, what do these players have in common? Besides, all of them being legends of soccer, have all played a crucial role in making number 7 a mythological jersey number in the history of soccer. Number 7 can also be said to be associated with a role that changes historically, but at the same time this is a change that results in far greater indeterminacy. Originally, number 7 was always right wing, but in the `70s the softening and transformation of the old 2-3-5 and 3-2-2-3 truly began and the players wearing the number 7 jersey can now be central midfielder, winger or center forward. As we will observe shortly, there are great number 7′s in all three categories. In Chelsea FC, the players that have worn this magical and lucky number 7 from 1993 include John Spencer (1993 - `96). There was no player that wore the jersey between (1996-`97). But Bernard Lambourde (1997- `98), Bjame Goldbaek (1998-`99),Didier Deschamps (1999-2000), Winston Bogarde (2000 -`03), Andrian Mutu (2003 - `04), had displayed with this jersey number. Also while no player wore the shirt between 2004 to `05, Maniche put it on between 2005 and `06, Andre Shevchenko took it up (2006-`08) and the same jersey lied low without any player (2008 -`2010). However, for the jersey not to continue in idle state without a player, it`s been worn from 2010 to date by Ramires. On national level, number 7 was right wing in the 2-3-5 formations while number 10 was inside left forward. In England for example, two of the most famous number 7 from the classical wing era are Billy Meredith (Manchester City and Manchester United, 1894-1924) and Stanley Matthews (Stoke and Blackpool, 1932-65), while Raymond Kopa from France (Stade de Reims and Real Madrid, 1949-67) and Mané Garrincha from Brazil (Botafogo, 1953-72) are two others. However, in the 1950s the first transformation took place courtesy of Gusztáv Sebes’s Hungarian national team that played a sort of 4-2-4. It is also interesting that the number is associated with much prestige in certain clubs and on certain national teams. In Brazil then, a totally different tradition exists on the Brazilian national team where Bebéto made number 7 synonymous with the intelligent second striker, either besides Romarío or Ronaldo. After Bebéto, players such as Ronaldinho and Robinho have worn number 7, and in that order one can say that the shirt often indicates who the next play - maker would be. In several of the world’s leading clubs, the number 7 is a shirt number with a great tradition. But there are also examples of clubs where the number 7 is associated with something ominous. In Chelsea, Brian Laudrup initiated an unlucky trend when he was given the number 7 jersey after Gustavo Poyet. Laudrup, a typical second striker who thrived in free roles with a license to roam around in the margins, simply did not fit into Chelsea’s system, and his stay in Stamford Bridge was short and without success. After Laudrup arrived, the Romanian Adrian Mutu, a typical number 10 full and of self-confidence, but the latter was quickly taken out of him by Claudio Ranieri . After having proven his worth in the Italian Serie A, Mutu became yet another victim of the system, and his difficulties of adapting to the English system resulted in drug abuse. After the Chelsea failure, Mutu returned to Italy where he helped Fiorentina put pressure on the four big clubs. Following the departure of Mutu, Chelsea imported another “Italian,” AC Milan’s Andrei Shevchenko, who in several seasons had been Milan’s attacking star and top scorer. In addition, the Ukranian had even been elected the best soccer player in Europe before his arrival in London, but like his predecessors he never was comfortable with Chelsea’s number 7 on his back, a number that he had otherwise made legendary in Milan. But it does appeared the system was part of the problem because Shevchenko had been bought as a striker, but in Mourinho’s system there was only room for one of them and his choice fell upon Didier Drogba. It is a completely different story if we look toward Madrid and the city’s royal club. In modern times, the number 7 has become synonymous with goals, loyalty, and attacking intelligence, first incarnated with Emilio Butragueño, then with Raúl González. These players are typical examples of second strikers who besides being prolific goalscorers specialized in connecting midfield and attack and in finding the “Duty Free” zones between these chains in the opponent team. Butragueño made up one of the most dangerous attacks ever with Hugo Sanchez, Real Madrid’s number 9 from Mexico. Raúl has had changing partners in his long career, amongst them were Davor Suker and Ruud van Nistelrooy, both typical number 9′s and worthy heirs to Sanchez. At the moment, Ronaldo plays for Real Madrid where he took over number 7 from Raúl; having fantastic displays and fun to the admiration of fans all over the globe. In Bayern Munich, Franck Ribéry had maintained the left wing from where he haunts the defense of opposing teams with number 7 on his back. Alexis Sanchez has recently done the same for Chile at Brazil 2014, although from the opposite side of the pitch. At Stamford Bridge, the fans are eager to see if the next transfer window will bring in new potential legend wearing their club’s most mythical jersey. However, where the rumoured transfer of CR7 is not actualised, but Ramires finally takes his exit; the present BLUES wonder-man - Diego Costa is preferred to hang-on the number 7 jersey. For Chelsea fans enjoy the tactical displays of both your old and present players like John Spencer, Andre Shevchenko, Andrian Mutu and Ramires.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 02:00:00 +0000