Dinosaurs

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it's much,much, more important than that." Bill Shankly. I could not agree more with those echoing sentiments from the former England manager. Think of the dearest thing you hold to your heart the most warming moment you have ever felt and then think of it yanked from you or never felt again. Not a very pleasant feeling is it? That is the way I and millions on earth feel about football or soccer if you please. It must be a cold and chilling thought to those professionals coming to the climax of their careers knowing that time has played out and ravage their dreams. Dinosaurs is a segment that conveys the players coming to the end of their careers, players who have been wonderful servants to the game or bumbling pretenders. Time is the great leveler,what will time say about you.

Name: Christian Ulf Wilhelmsson

Nickname: Chippen

D/O/H: 12/08/1979 (age 29)

Place of Hatching: Malmo, Sweden

Position: Midfielder (Right Wing/Left Wing)

Prefered Claw: Right

Height: 5'9 1/2 ft/inches

National Team: Sweden

Caps: 52

Club Teams: Mjallby AIF (1997-00), Stabaek Fotball (2000-03), RSC Anderlecht (2003-06), FC Nantes Atlantique (2006/08), AS Roma (2007) (loan), Bolton Wanderers FC (2007) (loan), Deportivo La Coruna (2008) (loan), Al-Hilal (2008-present)

In all fairness to all you 29 year olds out there your age does not mean the end of the road but in footballing terms that does mean your getting up there a bit. Is this man in the spotlight deserves the rank of Dinosaur?, lets analyze shall we. Christian Ulf Wilhelmsson was born in cultured city Malmo in the Nordic nation of Sweden on the 8th of December 1979. Christian has been dubbed the Swedish David Beckham, he has the looks and definitely the slew of frequent flyer miles if his club record is any indicator. Chippen began his professional career with Mjallby AIF a team that now ply their trade in the Swedish second divison.Mjallby was his home since 1988 ever since he was a kid he owes them everything and in the summer of 1997 his loyality earned him his first professional contract. He went on to feature 54 times and scoring 16 goals for the side in a span of three years before a move across the border to Norway in 2000. Stabaek Fotball was the destination, 84 games and 25 goals was what he had to show for his three years with "Da Blaa," years that yielded no silverware, an idea that Wilhelmsson could not stomach and southward he went in search of glory. With his stock gradually rising RSC Anderlecht the giants of Belgian football could not resist, they must have him and they did. 2003 saw Christian don the purple of Anderlecht. It is said in ancient times that purple was the color of the aristocrat and the wealthy, wealth is what exactly followed him, his performances for the Belgians saw him elevated to cult status and his charismatic partnership with Ivorian Aruna Dindane saw him raise the Belgian title twice in 03/04 and 05/06 seasons.Ever the wanderer Christian found himself on the move again after satrring 90 times for the Belgium outfit and hitting home 14 times in his three seasons. The next port of call was FC Nantes Antlantique of France just a mere skip across the border. Not alot of action was spent with the French side he justed featured 13 times for the former French powerhouse mainly because he was on loan for the most part and their relegation from the top flight of French football saw the sale of the Swede but before that a ton of loan games had to hashed out . His first loan spell came with AS Roma in 2007, one goal and 18 games were the stats with an option to buy Christian, the Romans quickly denied due to the fact they had their own pacey wingers in mind namely Ludovic Guily and Mauro Esposito. So to England he was this time with Bolton Wanderers on his second loan spell in the same year, one word disaster, Chippen just did not fit in with the "Trotters," style of play and one plus seven were the games notch eight of the most uninspiring games ever seen that option to buy was still on offer but not even Bolton wanted to inquire. Surely there is a home for Chippen and a move to the greatest football club in Spain was on the cards...............Deportivo La Coruna, clearly being bias at this point. In 2008 the Riathor was calling and Christian found his form helping the Galicians in their pusuit for glory in 2008. He made 15 excellent appearances for SuperDepor and chipped in with a goal, it finally looked like Chippen found a home but his price was to steep for the Spainards. A price that his new masters were willing to pay, Saudi Arabian giants Al-Hilal and this is where he now resides ever since 2008, he has made 33 starts and pumped in nine goals for the Arabs even grabbing the Royal Crown Cup.

The sometimes drab passing game of Sweden comes to live when Christian is on the ball. He made his first appearance for the Swedish under 21 side where he featured 16 times scoring twice. This earned him a full debut in 2001 and ever since then he has been a main stay in the Swedish set up featuring in two World Cups and two Euros. My most memorable Chippen moment came against England in the 2002 World Cup he gave the English fits with his speed and guile Sol Campbell was made an example of not an easy task back then. Niclas Alexandersson a team mate said he was he quickest Swede in the world and coach Lars Lagerback said his game is suited for big matches an untouchable player.

In the words of my ex- girlfriend "he is a cutie definitely child father material." Bless her heart but Chippen has away with the ladies with a escort list of many a Swedish and Russian model. What do I think?, more of a brunette man myself but as a footballer I go on record as saying that Christian Ulf Wilhelmsson is my favourite footballer on the planet. When he was available in FIFA for playstation I had to buy him. Strong comment to make but here is why. He has been doing what Cristiano Ronaldo has been doing now for a very long time. Quock feet, good in the air, great passer, nice shot and tons of dribbles and minus the theatrics of CR7. On the international scene very productive a spark to the Swedish traditional containment game, a team player and a gentleman. My only problem well mystery is why has he been unable to find a home at a top European club he has had tons of suitors such as Spurs and Valencia but he never took them on and the reluctancy for his loan teams to splash the cash to sign him which leads me to ask is their something about Chippen that is not inviting. He is my hero and I adore watching him and I'm not the only one my cousin Mark is a big fan as well I hope he moves so I can see him regularly but for now youtube will have to suffice.

Reptile