Living up to his gnarly word?
Freddie Ljungberg has announced that he will be returning to the Seattle Sounders for the upcoming MLS season. This presumes there will actually be a season, but that’s beside the point as Ljungberg was happy to announce on his blog that “IT FEELS VERY NICE TO BE ABLE TO KEEP MY WORD” (why is Freddie yelling?).
Gee, thanks Freddie for living up to your word, as nobody else was keeping you from doing so. In fact, you have a contract through the 2010 season and when you decided not to show up for the beginning of training camp this Monday, you weren’t really keeping your word. Yes, you blame a “communication error due to the business discussions” but what were those ‘business discussions’ about? Seeking a transfer to a European club that would pay you what you felt was fair and was of significant stature for you? Looks like that didn’t work out for you.
How convenient that your first day to report will be February 1, the day after the CBA is set to expire and the players will likely be locked out. Looks like somebody just wanted to continue snowboarding in Sweden (bet the team really likes to see that), not live up to his contract all while throwing his return status into limbo. It is a wonder where anybody got the idea that you may not come back this season. But, at least you finally took some time to say you supported the players and their quest to get those elusive “FIFA Rights.”
Maybe this is all a bit too cynical and some of the issues can be blamed on a translation issues, but it certainly looks and sounds like Freddie went shopping for another team (rightfully so given the CBA status) but did not find a suitor to his liking. However, let’s just be honest about the situation and do not blow smoke up dark spaces. We all look forward to you playing this season and honoring your contract.
Ollie Mellberg just reached across two continents and an ocean to punch Freddie out again.