Journeymen, I Think Not

MLSsoccer's Kickoff posted a link to an article (written by Martin Rogers) today referring to Aston Villa's Darren Bent. The link refers to Bent as a journeymen football player. As with many MLSsoccer pundits, I have to disagree. The term journeymen tends to have negative connotation, and nothing about Bent's career has been negative in the least. A term that could be used for Bent is opportunistic. When given the chance Bent has moved clubs in which he would make more money and have a better shot at winning silverware. Yes, Bent is on his fifth team; however, it's not as if he plays a match or two and moves on. Not only that, but Bent has been the most prolific striker in the Premier League in the past three years. Only being outdone by Didier Drogba and Wayne Rooney. It also seems he has been written off due to the fact he doesn't play for a top four side, nor is he a regular in England's National team. But as we've seen with English football, the top sides tend to sign foreign strikers. Top sides except Tottenham, who Bent played for and scored 18 goals in 60 matches. However, Harry Redknapp made it clear he didn't fancy Bent and pushed him out the door; Redknapp has always loved Jermaine Defoe ever since he managed him at West Ham. Where ever Harry goes, so does Defoe.

So to call Darren Bent a journeymen is to take only in consideration the name and the trophies he hasn't won, as he is trying to better his career by winning silverware and trying to find a team he can do it with. In Bent's early years, we can't criticis him for moving from Ipswich Town to Charlton, still two smaller clubs. Finely he was signed by Spurs, who at the time was fighting relegation. He then moved to Sunderland where he excelled until recently handing in a transfer request, that was originally turned down last summer. He'll now be the reason Villa stay in the Premier League at the end of this season.

In conclusion, if you want to call Darren Bent a journeyman than maybe you should look at four well known players who have played for five or more teams, too.

Eric Cantona- Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nimes, Leeds United, Manchester United

Thierry Henry- Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, New York Red Bulls

George Best- Best played for 19 teams, wikipedia him if you really want to see them all.

Paul Gascoigne- Gazza suited up for 9 teams, again look them up for yourself.