I never post on football, and felt the need to indulge myself today. I’m claiming it’s a general interest piece anyway! The Mirror is reporting that footballer Jermaine Pennant left his car in the car park of the local train station in Spain, before returning to England. Nothing unusual there, other than that its now been there for five months, with some suggestions that he forgot he had it! Sport Foot magazine is reporting the following figures on the best paid footballers:

1) Cristiano Ronaldo – €12M per year – Portugese – Striker

2) Wayne Rooney – €11.5M per year – England – Striker

3) Lionel Messi – €11M per year – Argentine – Striker

4) Yaya Youre – €10.8M per year – Ivory Coast – Midfielder

5) Samuel Eto’o – €10.5M per year – Cameroon – Striker

6) Bastian Schweinsteiger – €9.7M per year – Germany – Midfielder

7) Zlatan Ibrahimovic – €9M per year – Sweden – Striker

8 ) Kaka – €9M per year – Brazil – Striker

9) John Terry – €9M per year – England – Striker

10) Emmanuel Adebayor – €8.4M per year – Togo – Striker

11) Franck Ribery – €8M per year – France – Striker/ Winger

12) Fernando Torres – €7.8M per year – Spain – Striker

13) Steven Gerrard – €7.8M per year – England – Attacking Midfielder

14) Carlos Tevez – €7.6M per year – Agentina – Striker

15) Frank Lampard – €7.5M per year – England – Midfielder

16) Xavi – €7.5M per year – Spain – Attacking Midfielder

17) Andres Iniesta – €7M per year – Spain – Midfielder

18) Didier Drogba – €6.5M per year – Ivory Coast – Striker

19) Rio Ferdinand – €6.5M per year – England – Defedner

20) Andrea Pirlo – €6M per year – Italy Midfielder

Analysis:

1. 10 of top 20 play in England (3 City, 2 Liverpool, 3 Chelsea, 2 United – the old top 4, God be with the days). with the other 10 has 5 from Spain (3 Barca, 2 Real), 3 Italy (2 AC, 1 Inter), 2 Germany (Bayern)

2. 7 of top 10 are strikers/ attacking mid fielders, 12 of the top 20. 6 Midfielders and 2 Defenders.

3. 13 of the top 20 are from Europe (5 From England, 3 From Spain), 3 from South America, 4 from Africa

4. 9 of the top 20 play in their home nation (5 English, 2 Spain, 1 Germany and Italy)

Logical Progression:

English players are the best in the world, far better than Brazilians and Argentines, and significantly better than Spanish.

Africa has passed out South America in terms of big name footballers.

Top three players – League Goals this season: Ronaldo – 22, Messi – 18, Rooney – 2?

Best thing to be? English striker playing in England

And now for a good goal…