Petrescu: A loyal servant and hero

[coolhead23 1,146]

Found an interesting read on Daniel Petrescu, so thought of sharing it with all.

URL: http://www.espnstar....rvant-and-hero/:

Petrescu: A loyal servant and hero

It's not often you use the words 'servant' and 'hero' to describe the same person, for they both project vastly differing images.

A servant is prepared to remain in the background, performing thankless tasks and mopping up the messes others create, perfectly happy to stay in the shadows. A hero, on the other hand relishes the limelight - internalising all the adulation to go on to bigger and better feats.

It's rare then, to find someone who can lay claim to being both a servant and a hero. But for the eighteen years he played professional football, Dan Petrescu was just that.

Born into a golden era

Steaua Bucharest are the most successful club in Romanian history. They have 23 Liga I titles to their name, as well as 22 Cupa Romaniei (Romanian Cup), both national records. In addition, they remain the only Romanian team ever to have won the European Cup, and were the first-ever Eastern European team to emerge triumphant in Europe's premier club competition (a feat matched by Red Star Belgrade in 1991).

Therefore, Steaua's 1986 European Cup triumph provides the perfect setting to begin, as slightly over a month after that monumental win, a 20-year-old defender by the name of Dan Petrescu was promoted to the first team, having graduated through the youth ranks.

He managed just two matches in his debut season, and was farmed out to fellow Liga 1 side Olt Scornicesti for the entire 1986/87 campaign. However, his remarkable progress while on loan did not go unnoticed, and just two years later, Petrescu had established himself as a key member of the Steaua first team, and lined up against a mighty AC Milan outfit featuring the likes of Franco Baresi, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and a 21-year-old Paolo Maldini in the 1989 European Cup final,

While Milan ran out 4-0 winners at the Nou Camp that night, Petrescu enhanced his reputation with a strong showing. At the start of the 1991/92 season, Serie A side Foggia came knocking and Petrescu gave in to their advances, spending two years Stadio Pino Zaccheria, before prolonging his Italian sojourn with another year at Genoa.

The right-back conundrum

Petrescu left Genoa for English shores in the summer of 1994, but while Sheffield Wednesday brought him to the country, it was at Chelsea, whom he joined a season later, where he truly made a name for himself as one of the most reliable full-backs across the continent.

Reliable. Strangely enough, that's the one word most often associated with full-backs, or right-backs in particular. Before we go any further, let us just ascertain how unfashionable it truly is to be playing on the right-side of defence.

Strikers are 'lethal', wingers are 'languid' and 'cunning', midfielders are "a creative force", centre-backs are called "a rock at the back", even left-backs are often described as 'classy'. But for some curious reason, right-backs are, by and large, known to be 'reliable' players.

This stigma seems to stems from the school yard, where anyone who has had a kickabout with their mates, will agree the least talented players are always sent straight to right-back.

Understandably, the more talented kids invariably end up playing in midfield or attack, while the steadiest, most composed ones slot straight in at centre-back. Furthermore, the relative rarity of left-footed players means anyone capable of playing at left-back will naturally be held in higher regard. Right-backs consequently, are lumped with that most mundane of adjectives - 'reliable'.

Oddly enough, professional footballers, at least in England, don't seem particular eager to buck this trend. Gary Neville had little to draw upon apart from a bit of elbow grease, yet went on to captain Manchester United, clocking up over 600 appearances in the process. Lee Dixon was the most forgettable member of Arsenal's famous "Fab Four", yet has four Premier League and two FA Cup titles to his name. Lest we forget, even Jamie Carragher started out his career at right-back, and till this day, he is steady but unspectacular.

Stamford Bridge's very own

At Chelsea, Petrescu was just that, although he was blessed with good pace, technique, and the ability to whip in a mean cross, and was more Cafu than Carragher.

But the Romanian played for Chelsea in an era when they were respected for their ability to go toe-to-toe with the country's finest despite a shoestring budget.

Long before Roman Abramovich's billions led them to their first Premier League title since 1955, the Blues had a slightly less-wealthy chairman in Ken Bates, who was more intent on making money off the pitch, than create a dominant team on it.

Bates started developing the area around Stamford Bridge, envisioning a complex which included hotels, apartments, bars, restaurants and various interactive attractions, known as "Chelsea Village". By the time he relinquished chairmanship to Abramovich in 2003, the club were about £80million in debt.

On the field, there were plenty of success stories, with Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli and Marcel Desailly all having memorable stints at the club. However, all three were in their 30s by the time they joined Chelsea, and, with the exception of Zola, one could argue the club never got to enjoy these players in their prime.

Even more remarkable is that fact that Chelsea, despite having to scour for bargains and settle for players winding down their careers, still managed to win two FA Cups, one League Cup, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup from the mid-1990s right up to the Abramovich takeover.

Petrescu took his part in four of those five triumphs, and made over 150 appearances in his five-year spell at Stamford Bridge.

Romania's golden boys of 1994

But while he was regarded as a dutiful servant at Chelsea, Petrescu was nothing short of a hero whenever he pulled on the gold of Romania.

Five years after earning his first cap, Petrescu was part of the Romanian squad that made the quarter-finals of USA 1994. It remains the country's best showing at a World Cup to date.

Romania were drawn in Group A alongside hosts United States, Switzerland and Colombia, and qualification was far from certain after a win and a loss in their opening two matches. However, in their final game against the hosts, Petrescu ventured forward to score the only goal of the game, booking a round-of-16 clash with Argentina.

Coming up against an Argentina side boasting the likes of Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta and Fernando Redondo, many expected the Romanians to make a hasty exit. Yet, they somehow managed to record a stunning 3-2 victory, progressing to the quarter-finals where they narrowly lost to Sweden on penalties, Petrescu being one of two Romanians to miss in the shootout.

Romania failed to repeat their exploits four years late in France, although they still created one of the memorable images of the World Cup when the whole squad dyed their hair blonde took to the field against Tunisia with their hair dyed blond. It was to celebrate qualification into the next round.

A reminder of Chelsea's beginnings

The Chelsea of today are almost unrecognisable from the side which Petrescu played in. Billions of dollars have been invested on the pitch, and as expected, silverware has followed. Since Petrescu left Stamford Bridge, the Blues have won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Carling Cup twice.

But long before Abramovich's billions brought trophies to Stamford Bridge (leading to disgruntled opposition fans claiming he effectively bought the title), Chelsea were a club with very humble beginnings. In fact, Bates only had to fork out a single pound when he bought the club in 1982.

Humility is something hardly associated with footballers these days and fans could be forgiven for thinking players are motivated by money, and not much else.

And that's why it's important to honour those like Petrescu, who played the role of servant so well. His story is a constant reminder that there are some things in football money cannot buy. Like bringing success to a club in an era where it's hard to come by. Or bringing glory to one's nation.

[zolayes 14,489]

excellent read ,,thanks for posting

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Worrying to think we haven't had a reliable right-back since Melchiot.

[Melanicus 5,208]

Worrying to think we haven't had a reliable right-back since Melchiot.

Clyne or Walker could be good, maybe even Clifford.

[coolhead23 1,146]

Worrying to think we haven't had a reliable right-back since Melchiot.

Thats precisely what hit me when i read the article

[francozola 2,040]

What a superb article!

[Cosmin 2,484]

Great player! A Romanian legend, he's part of the "Golden generation" who reached the quater finals of the World Cup in 1994.

Nowadays, he's a very good manager. He won the Romanian Championship when he was at Unirea Urziceni, a team that got dissolved after his departure.

After winning the league in 2009, he almost reached the UEFA Champions League (see Group G) knockout phase. Unirea beat Rangers 4-1 on Ibrox, beat Sevilla 1-0 home and drew 1-1 home against Stuttgart.

The thing is that his teams need a lot of time and silence to grow strong. I remember he started to build a team at Unirea in 2006.

He signed players who were "rubbish" for the so called "strong" teams in the league and he built a very strong group there. In 2008, no one was even thinking that Unirea Urziceni could possibly win the league. But the impossible happened.

The Unirea's owner was a scumbag because he didn't invest almost anything in transfers or infrastructure, and after he got the money from UEFA, he closed the club.

Anyways, after the Uefa Champions League adventure ended, "Super Dan" chosed to continue in Russia, at Kuban Krasnodar. Petrescu took the team to the first Russian league and Kuban are now the 7th out of 16th. Not bad, if you ask me.

His big dream is to be Chelsea's manager one day. He really really loves Chelsea. He even named one of his daughters Chelsea! Some of you might already know that.

[francozola 2,040]

after he got the money from UEFA, he closed the club.

:o

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Superb article. Thank you for sharing.

[Madmax 9,219]

Yeah read this on espnstar. Good tribute to a fantastic professional.

[Arief 40]

wow such a great article, thanks for share this thing

[bluessss 0]

we want someone like him now

[westcountryblue 25]

Love this goal, I think its one of, if not his finest goal in a Chelsea shirt.

[Ollie 4,400]

Brilliant article, i loved super Dan, was brilliant for us and will always be remembered by me. Also loved his goal against Arsenal. Shame that generation of Zola, Poyet, Wise, Di Matteo, Vialli, Flo, Petrescu etc never won the league with us but it was an exciting time from around 96-2000.

[westcountryblue 25]

Brilliant article, i loved super Dan, was brilliant for us and will always be remembered by me. Also loved his goal against Arsenal. Shame that generation of Zola, Poyet, Wise, Di Matteo, Vialli, Flo, Petrescu etc never won the league with us but it was an exciting time from around 96-2000.

Indeed, we were so close in 1999, only 4 points from the top. I always remember my disappointment after the three successive draws against Middlesbrough, Leciester and Sheffield

Wednesday.

[Gate16 0]

Best wing back we've ever had. I doubt any other wing back in the premiership has created/scored more goals