SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW: DI CANIO AND RODRIGUEZ

Every week here at Sick Chirpse we’ll bring you memories of a former great and a heads-up for a possible new one. Something old, and something new.

Paolo Di Canio.

This week we’re remembering Italian legend Paolo Di Canio, the referee-toppling striker who scored some of the greatest goals in the history of the game. Having already played at Lazio, A.C. Milan and Juventus, not to mention Napoli, Celtic and Sheffield Wednesday, Di Canio moved to West Ham in 1999 for a fee of £1.7 million. The Hammers went on to win the Intertoto Cup with him in the side that year, and it was from Upton Park that he really captured the hearts of the British public. Although he never played for his country, Di Canio was a scorer of magnificent goals – it was his ego — his passion and his sheer audacity that led him to respective ‘Goal of the Decade’,  ‘Player of the Year’ and ‘Fifa Fair Play’ awards. So, here’s to you Paolo:

19 year-old Columbian attacking midfielder James Rodriguez is this week’s potential legend; a winger and midfielder with masses of pace, skill and ball control, his talents have been noted by many top-flight scouts. Having already made 50 appearances for Argentinian club Banfield, scoring 10 goals, in the summer of 2010 he made a £4.4 million move to Portuguese champions Porto. A superb technical footballer, Rodriguez has a reputation for striking the ball from distance, and has already scored some wonderful long-range goals. With interest from other European teams stifled with his summer move, expect to see renewed interest from English clubs in the next few years.