Karren Brady: Chris Froome shows that foreign-born sports stars can inspire a nation
Sat, Aug 27
AT last it’s clear West Ham are going to sign striker Simone Zaza.
We construct a fairly complicated loan deal with Juventus.
It was described by David Sullivan, who handled the talks, as the “hardest” day of his life.
But when you really want to sign someone it is difficult to negotiate.
The signing is celebrated with pictures of Zaza alongside our joint chairman, who was wearing flowery shorts.
Much as I admire David, most men will be more enthusiastic about Zaza’s girlfriend Chiara Biasi — featured in newspapers wearing a bikini — than David, even in his shorts!
Sun, Aug 28
ARE we ready, or brave enough, to say there’ll be no repeat of the title-winning heroics of Leicester or another cheeky blindsider?
I’ll risk it. Even with the season so young, it looks as though the old order is being vigorously reasserted.
It’s what spending £1billion and appointing some of the world’s best managers and players can do.
To have a shot at overtaking the current top three clubs, rivals must turn out at least near-best teams, and be lucky with the ref.
At the Etihad today, we don’t have either and while we do well in the second half, we are two down to a good Man City side by then.
So, no Leicester-type triumph this season or for many to come.
Mon, Aug 29
I am as proud as anyone of being English.
But I agree with England boss Sam Allardyce that picking a foreign-born player with a long history in this country SHOULD be allowed.
Critics say they would be further discouragement to our promising young players. But you only have to look at Kenya born-and-bred Chris Froome, a three-times Tour de France winner, to judge the effect on our brilliant Olympic cyclists.
He was a golden inspiration.
Tues, Aug 30
OCCASIONALLY a young footballer stands out for his determination to beat the system.
On the day the boy who had everything, Jack Wilshere, is told by Arsenal he can go out on loan, one who emerged by way of the back alley of non-leagues is linking up with the England squad for the first time.
Michail Antonio is exceptional. He always wants to play, is not driven by money or fame — and is no poseur. He even reports for England carrying his belongings in West Ham carrier bags, whilst everyone else has Louis Vuitton!
In a game tainted by greed and bad attitude, his love of football shines as brightly as his smile. No wonder our fans have a new hero.
Wed, Aug 31
WE signed a whole team this summer — the big purchases and loans adding up to 11.
This is because we are serious about competing in the Prem. Slaven Bilic would never accuse our board of a lack of ambition. We are NOT a selling club, those days are over. And Dimitri Payet, as we promised, remains a proud West Ham player.
Thu, Sep 1
THE most important element in top-class players is positivity.
And in Didier Ndong it comes from the oddest source, if for no other reason than that he has a hairstyle that suggests he has blond worms sprouting from his head.
Nding, Ndong, who cares? I’ve heard no better example of positivity than his comment on joining Sunderland for £13.5million from Lorient.
He said: “Sunderland fans don’t know me yet but they will quickly discover I will give everything. Today is the most beautiful day of my life.”
Fri, Sep 2
IF Wayne Rooney doesn’t know now, he soon will: Sam Allardyce doesn’t do faint hearts.
The captain said this week that England may have been mentally fragile at the Euros.
Allardyce is big on mental preparation and will be less than impressed by Rooney’s view that the team suffered a “big lack of concentration” in the debacle against Iceland.
I have a high opinion of Allardyce’s leadership and it seems the quality is going to be needed on the journey to the World Cup finals.
