Jermaine Pennant – the most foolish man in football?!

Jermaine Pennant looked set for an extraordinary move to current Spanish champions Real Madrid. However it appears a loan move to either Stoke or Wigan are now the more likely destinations for the 25-year old. The Bernabéu were set to unveil the Liverpool right-winger, who has only started two Premiership matches this season, days after unveiling the signing of Lassana Diarra from Portsmouth for £20-million. However, the deal reportedly collapsed over Pennant’s wages, as he demanded £60,000 a week, which was twice as much as the £1.5-million-per-year contract tabled by Madrid.

This episode smacks of insanity: Jermaine Pennant, who currently sits behind Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun in the Liverpool set up was/is being courted by Real Madrid is arguably as unexpected as the transfer-deadline-day transfer of Carlos Tévez to West Ham in August 2006; but more disbelieving is Jermaine Pennant’s failure to bend over backwards to play for the Spanish Giants.

Only a handful of English players make the move to play on the continent, with Real Madrid attracting most with Michael Owen, David Beckham, Jonathan Woodgate and ex-Liverpool winger Steve McManaman all having made the move to Madrid. They enjoyed a varying amount of success, but one thing that cannot be in doubt is that they developed greatly as players and often won trophies.

Pennant came to the forefront of the footballing world when he became the most expensive teenager. Ten years ago Arsène Wenger signed the then 15-year old for Arsenal from Notts County for £2-million. Since then he has failed to fulfil his potential which have also seen a series of disciplinary problems which included a drink-driving conviction that saw him play with an electronic tag whilst on probation in 2005.

There have been positives in the Nottingham-born winger’s career which is evidently what Real Madrid saw in him. He undoubtedly has pace and trickery which can mesmerise defenders: his ability led some Leeds fans to offer their own money for his permanent signing during his loan spell in 2003-04; and his performances for Liverpool saw an England call-up in the pipeline, but he was snubbed by then manager Steve McLaren.

A transfer to Madrid would not only have been hugely prestigious, but the chance would have surely enhanced his footballing ability. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Guti, Raúl, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben would have paid dividends for him. Furthermore a move from the Premiership could have worked wanders for him personally as he could escape the British paparazzi and focus on his football.

It seems that we won’t know whether Pennant would have been a success for Madrid, or if he would even have featured in the famous White Shirt on a regular basis. If this was in his mind and he rejected a move as he wanted the promise of first team football, given his recent time out of Liverpool’s match day squads, then it would be commendable. It would have demonstrated a footballer who wanted to play football and one who rejected sitting on the sidelines, even if they were the sidelines of one of the world’s most decorated clubs.

Though it seems that it was money which was the reason Pennant turned down the opportunity which most footballers dream of – including, supposedly, Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo. If it is because Pennant wouldn’t accept Real Madrid’s contract offer then I think he has been particularly foolish. He should have looked at Steve McManaman’s experience in Spain as inspiration. McManaman was in many ways a very similar winger to Pennant and was hugely successful at Madrid, becoming the first Englishman to win the Champions League twice. He became very highly respected by the Spanish media before Real’s policy turned towards Los Galácticos and he was effectively forced out of the club with the signing of David Beckham.

I am very doubtful that the sights and sounds of Stoke and Wigan are greater pulls than those of the Spanish capital. Especially for Pennant who is somewhat of a Playboy having dated a Hollyoaks actress and now a glamour model. So we wait to see what beckons for one of England’s most controversial and perhaps underachieving footballers. But one thing that is for certain is that unless there is a dramatic U-turn in Rafa Benítez’s team selection, Pennant needs a move this transfer window in order to resurrect his career and join Ashley Young, Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon and David Beckham in the battle for England’s number seven shirt.

Will Gilgrass - 25th December 2008