Clarence Seedorf’s spell at AC Milan must come to an end
Clarence Seedorf’s love story with the Rossoneri has been going strong for the past eight years. At Milan, Seedorf formed a legendary trio with Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso. Milan’s successful European campaigns in the first decade of the 21st
century owe much to the trio. Playmakers came and went, be it Rivaldo, Rui Costa or Kaka, but the three still bleed red and black.
Seedorf is another prodigious talent produced by the famed Ajax Youth Academy. Indeed, that is where he made his name. The highlight of his stint came in his first Champions League medal, that too against his current employers. After spending a year at Sampdoria,
Seedorf transferred to Real Madrid in 1996.
Seedorf’s spell at the Bernabeu was a success as fans have come to expect from the player. His strong presence in the middle of the park led the team to the La Liga title in only his first season. His second season there was even better as Real Madrid won
the 1997-1998 edition of the UEFA Champions League. The title was Real Madrid’s eighth and Seedorf’s second. The midfielder played a vital part in their triumph as Madrid defeated Juventus 1-0 in the final. Seedorf has the knack of scoring a scorcher from
45 meters away from goal. The goal came in a derby against Atletico Madrid and earned the playmaker a cult hero status in the fans’ hearts.
In 2000, Seedorf was acquired by Inter Milan for 23 million Euros. Unfortunately, his spell at the club wasn’t a success as he failed to win any major silverware. He cemented his journey man status by making the move to cross city rivals two seasons later
in a deal worth 28 million Euros. Milan traded Coco to Inter as part of an exchange move for Clarence Seedorf. Nerazzurri fans are still furious with their management for letting go of Pirlo and Seedorf especially since the duo have been the proponents of
Milan’s success.
Seedorf won his third champions league medal with the Rossoneri in his first season, thus becoming the only football player to have won the coveted trophy with three different clubs. The Seedorf-Pirlo-Gattuso combination was one of the best midfield trios
in the football world for much of the decade. With a sudden decline in Gattuso’s physical form since 2006, Seedorf and Pirlo’s influence has veined. Seedorf in particular has been struggling for any sort of consistency for the last two years. On Saturday against
an inferior Catania team, Seedorf was finding it difficult in even making the simplest of the passes. His missed two chances from the edge of the box could have won the match for Milan. His performance against Cesena was no different. AC Milan had the ideal
replacement for the Dutch legend in Yoann Gourcuff but the Frenchman was sold to Bordeaux where he put in Ligue 1 player of the year winning performances. Seedorf on the other hand is in continuous decay.
The Dutch legend has won it all at the club level. Seedorf’s four Champions league medals and a host of individual honours bear testimony to that fact. It seems the playmaker has lost the hunger to fight for Milan’s cause. Seedorf is a legend in Milan’s
history books and it should only be fair that it remains that way, for the legend has given much to the club. At 34 years of age, Seedorf is not ready to accept a substitute’s role. According to experts, the player asks for a first team spot where his performances
leave a lot to be desired. It’s saddening to see Seedorf being run ragged by younger and faster players in the game. Seedorf should leave the club and head back to his country where he will find a lot of suitors for his ability. However, if he stays longer
at this club, he will only tarnish the memories he created with his dazzling performances in the past.
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