Juan Roman Riquelme, we hardly knew ye. For a player of such immense talent and fervour, with such God-given ability on the ball, the European audience should have been privy to his skill more than they have been. There was a period between 2005 and 2007 where the Argentine trequartista was possibly the most influential and skilled playmaker in European football. Fluid and creative on the ball, he hauled an unfashionable Villareal side to within a hairs breadth of a Champions League final. Four years later, and he was on the verge of signing for West Ham on a two year deal. For all of our ignorance in terms of South American football, Riquelme might as well have fled into the wilderness when he left Europe for Boca Juniors in 2007, however, in the summer of 2010, falling his unceremonial bust-up with Argentine coach Diego Maradona, he was back on the radar, and attracted the attention of five potential English suitors. According to one of Riquelmes football agents Barry McIntosh, the Argentine maestros eye had been caught by the location of London, the challenge at West Ham and working beside the likes of Scott Parker and Thomas Hitzlsperger. Having immersed himself as an idol at boyhood club Boca Juniors, McIntosh stated that the Argentine number ten didnt feel like he was getting value for money in terms of staying, and that he would rather join a club like West Ham over Manchester United in order to make a mark. However, following weeks of discussions, West Hams dogged pursuit ended in vain, as he signed a four year contract at Boca Juniors, striking a dagger through the hearts of the excited Hammers fans. Unwilling to cave in to his excessive wage demands, Riquelme opted to remain a revered idol in his native homeland. With Mark Noble at the hub of the West Ham midfield, who needs Riquelme anyway?
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
