After almost three injury-ravaged years, Dean Ashton, as the back pages suggest, will finally hang up his boots and retire. The player who was once seen as a unique cross between the playing styles of Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham, will never fully fulfill his potential as a top-class footballer. Many football observers including myself would have picked Ashton as the perfect foil for Wayne Rooney in England colours.
Dean Ashton was a modern-day striker who had the complete package. Strong and accurate in the air as well as comfortable holding up the ball, he also had skills like a support striker. Superb game awareness and excellent first touch are all attributes of Ashton's. He was prolific and single minded as a goalscorer. The English version of Didier Drogba but without the theatrics.
A broken ankle sustained during England training in 2006 never completely healed and although Ashton had his best season in 2007-08, that suspect ankle was always vulnerable to more injuries. Who would have thought that a call-up to an England training camp could end a promising player's career?!
Enjoy this video highlights as a sort of tribute to Dean Ashton. Video was created by EliasWhufc14.
West Ham are expected to issue a statement about Ashton's retirement in the coming weeks. The Dean Ashton ankle saga finally comes to an extremely sad halt. Ummm....maybe not as West Ham and Dean Ashton are expected to file suits against the English FA, Chelsea and even Shaun Wright-Phillips to seek financial compensation.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment