Some people make bad decisions
Chris Eagles was a bright Manchester United prospect. He was highly rated and scored a few good goals for the Red Devils. He made the decisions to jump the nest and leave Sir Alex who had taken him on since the age of 14, and move to Burnley.
Eagles was offered the chance to stay, though he admirably wanted game time and wanted to ‘be his own player’ or something like that… Had he stayed at Old Trafford its possible that he could have got more Premier League oppourtunities- maybe even an England cap? Though I can’t fault his desire to play week in week out.
At Burnley, Eagles was mostly very good- adding more flair to a side that won promotion to the Premier League. Following their relegation back to the Premier League, he joined us alongside Tyrone Mears. In the Premier League he was… okay. He wasn’t bad at all and towards the end of the season he chipped in with a few useful goals and was an integral part of that awesome 3-1 win against Liverpool.
We all know how the rest of his Bolton career went. He had a terrific season in the Premier League under Owen Coyle and Dougie Freedman. He scored so goals and got assists.
Ahead of the next season we were very excited about not only our prospects of finishing highly in the table, but also about another great season from Eagles. He was very impressive against Burnley- putting in the kind of performance we’d come to expect from the former Manchester United man. However, he rolled his ankle during that match which completely ruined the rest of his Bolton career.
Anyway, he’s now said to be in talks with Blackpool after reportedly turning down a move to Millwall. I absolutely cannot see the thought process behind this and it angers me to think about the way in which he is throwing his career away.
He’s also said to have rejected the chance to stay at Bolton. If wages are a problem than he’s in the wrong profession (something that shouldn’t be said about footballers!)- he ain’t gonna find a club who will offer him higher wages than Millwall. Going to Blackpool would be a huge stab in the foot. Millwall are more likely to be promoted to the Premier League than Blackpool are to stay up in the Championship. Blackpool wont be able to offer any more also!
I know this won’t happen but I think giving him a part time pay as you play contract until January would be good for both us and him. We lack wingers and he lacks a club- but then again, he’d probably reject a contract.
My guess is that he’ll end up playing in Asia or the Middle East and throw his career away. I must admit that Nigel Reo Coker, now plying his trade in the MLS, is still working very hard and thriving in that league though, so good on him despite him being another one guilty of rejecting a contract by getting to big for his boots.
Here is my open letter to Chris Eagles:
Chris, do not throw your career away. So many people would kill for the oppourtunities that you have been given during your career.
You have accomplished a lot- playing overseas, playing in the Premier League and there’s still a lot more to come. You’re in the prime years of your career.
Don’t mess this up
Kind Regards,
Nicky.