Pre- Barca: Udinese
Just a brief look at how he did his last season at Udinese.
2012- 2011. in 31 appearances- 12 goals and 6 assists.
Not a bad record, the young player showing much potential. Surely he'd excel with the Catalan giants!... And so the story progresses.
Barcelona Era
On July 20, 2011 Alexis Sanchez joined Barca after signing a deal reportedly worth about 37Mil Euros. *inserts Shirley Bassey's Hey Big Spender*. Never mind the money, He was worth it, he was going to make the team much more proficient with his ability to play in different position. Quote Guardiola
"Sanchez is very young... He can play in all three attacking positions, he shows intense defensive skills, he's direct and from what I've been told, he's a very nice kid."
Ok, he's a good kid, surely, he seems like a nice kid, but would he be good for the team?
*Cue the 2011-2012 Season*
Statistics? Why Surely!
25 appearances- 12 goals and 5 assists. Fair... I suppose. Lets chock it up to injuries. He was injured a lot for that season. Injuries on him like obeah to baxfoot! I even felt sorry for him, seeing he wasn't at his full potential, knowing he wanted to get better. "OH WHY CRUEL FATE!?? LEAVE HIM BE!" I screamed.
All foolishness aside given the whole stint of thing, credit must be given where credit is due.
In rolls the 2012-2013 season and he's fresh as a dandelion in spring. No major injuries, he's getting playing time, surely he'll doing better!.... NOT SO FAST!
Surely I could go on and on about how much I think he's great and this and that and what more we can do till I'm blue in the face. I'll let the stats speak for themselves.
For the league- 14 appearances 0 goals, ZERO, NONE, ZIP, ZILCH, GOOSE EGG, NIL, NAUGHT NOT ONE DAMN GOAL. But luckily 3 assists. Blessings for the assists for at least he serves some purpose.
The season is mid way through and there seems to be no hope of him scoring where it counts. When management is quoted as saying something to the effect
"He useful, just unlucky in front of goal." you know its real.
What per se is the purpose you serve in front of goal if you continue to be unlucky? Unlucky persons do not get played. Unlucky persons have fans yelling " why the &^%$ is Alexis Sanchez warming up to come on this field." and comments like "Is him we really putting on." Sad stuff really.
In my opinion he's regressed. I don't think he's a fruitful and useful as we all expected, be honest? If you say it isn't true, you deceive yourselves. Which leads me to my next question.
HAVE YOU PEOPLE NO COMPASSION!!!??? I jest. But seriously, I'm not sure what can be done, but he needs to start finding the back of the net and soon, before he takes up the title of Proverbial Bench Warmer Extraordinaire. I'd hate to see him there because as harsh as this seems, I want to see him succeed. He is apart of my team and thus he is apart of my heart.
Well with regression, thank the Lord and science for evolution. I think there's hope for him. I haven't yet said to park him like an old Leyland bus ( yes you Fernando Torres) so there is hope. What we need to do now is to find that thing, that one spark that will again alight the flame in Alexis Sanchez.
I BELIEVE IN YOU ALEXIS! Dont pull a fast one on me. Looking forward to a goal filled future!
Love always,
Lisa.
Football Goddess, Sports Junkie, Barca Girl.
