We never do things the easy way. In 1999 we gave Coventry £4
million for Darren Huckerby to enable them to spend £6 million to
acquire Keane from Wolves. Subsequently we had to pay a further
£11 million to gain his services...am I the only one to think
that this could have been done differently and not cost us the extra
£9 million....?
Whatever - Keane looked to be a very talented young
forward. Averaging one goal for every three appearances, he did well
in Division One and earned his call up to the international scene. He
was runner-up in the PFA "Young Player of the Year" award and after an
injury-affected end to the season Gordon Strachan was hoping for a
solid run from the youngster in the 2000-01 campaign. With the
transfer market going mad, Marcello Lippi decided to take Keane to
Internazionale, but a poor start to the season saw Lippi ousted, and
with Ronaldo and other major international talents returning Keane
found himself well down the list of new manager Tardelli's favoured
strikers.
In December 2000, rumours of his return to England hit fever pitch.
West Ham and Chelsea both failed to clinch his signature, and
Charlton's relationship with Inter didn't persuade him to go - but the
prospect of playing for DOL did. He knew he'd have to fight for a
place in a set of forwards that includes Mark Viduka, Alan Smith,
Harry Kewell and Michael Bridges and was likely to find himself used
in rotation in attack or as an option as part of an attacking
midfield. He made an excellent start to his career at Leeds with goals
coming quickly, although they dried up a bit - and he missed a couple
of sitters that could really have made the difference in a couple of
games.
In 2001-02, it seemed at first that Smith/Viduka was the preferred
striker pairing, and he started from the bench - but Alan Smith's
injury gave him a few chances to shine, and a hat-trick at Leicester
showed that he'd got his scoring boots back. Unfortunately, he failed
to find the net often enough, and Robbie Fowler's arrival pushed him
back down the pecking order - although Alan Smith's suspensions give
him the chance to make regular appearances from the bench. He didn't
seem to be on the greatest of terms with his manager - but there must
have been something that DOL saw, because he hung onto him even though
the Fowler purchase was apparently authorised conditionally on the
sale of Keane.
The World Cup in 2002 proved to be a very successful one for Keane
- he produced some high-quality all-round performances and showed his
coolness under extreme pressure when he netted a last minute penalty
against Germany to square the game. With his stock riding high - and
with Michael Bridges back to fitness and the club under some financial
pressure - Leeds agreed a fee for his services with Sunderland, but
Keane opted to stay and fight for a place under new manager Terry
Venables. That fighting spirit didn't last long: after three games
coming off the bench as a sub he decided he had to have first team
football, and Leeds agreed a fee with Spurs on deadline day to allow
him to move on.
Alan Moore says: I played for Crumlin Utd in Dublin a year below
Robbie and I once saw him score 6 goals in fifteen minutes in an under
15s game. What a player!
Lis says: I've been a Robbie fan since he first started out at
Wolves before anyone outside Wolves had really heard of him!!! I've
been his number one fan ever since and just wanna say that he's done
brilliant and i luv him loads!!!
Euan Home says: He is GOD. He is better than Pele and Maradona.
Niall McGarry says: True Class! His precociousness and tenacity
excite and inspire. Has the talent to become one of the all time
greats. You should have seen his Ireland debut against Argentina, he
stole the show and received the Man of the Match award grasping it
from the clutches of Ortega and Batistuta, no less.
Nicki says: Robbie Keane is a top class footie player but even
nicer looking! Any one who doesn't rate him doesn't deserve an
opinion!
Vinay says: the guy is like gold. I've followed since the Wolves
days where he was a prodigy of Div 1 and now he's up there with the
best!
Bradley Payne says: I think Robbie is brill.
Orla says: Robbie Keane is GOD!!! He is a totaly class player and
he is the best looking footballer! I saw him playing in a friendly for
the Republic against Croatia in August and he was the most skillful
player on the pitch and he has some brilliant tricks which he
demonstrated while warming up. I love Keano!
Liam Sloan says: Will Robbie have to leave leeds? O'Leary is not
going to pick him before Viduka and Fowler. If Keane plays for Ireland
in the World Cup, McCarthy might not pick him seeing he is not getting
on for his club, he will move again. He will no doubt shine if he does
play in Japan and rake O'Leary in a lot of money. By the way Keane is
better than Owen.
Kelly says: Hi - I used to know Robbie very well when he played for
Coventry. I spent a lot of time around his house and I loved going to
ikon with him and Noel Whelan! I know the girl he is with now, they
will always be together for sure!
Libby says: Robbie Keane is the most skillful Irish player
ever. I've met him several times at Rep Ireland games and know that he
will be the star of the World Cup 2002.
Jo says: One night clubbing in W-Ton, Rob came over to me and asked
whether he could buy me a drink, which was really sweet of him apart
from the fact that I was just leaving the bar and had 3 drinks in my
hands for my mates and I. Bless him!, he deserves to be a star, from
that night I got to know him quite well and he is a true
Gentleman!!
Stephen Munro says: Keane should move to Liverpool cos he's not
gonna get his game m8.
John says: Robbie is a great player, much better that Fowler,
probably even Owen on his day. He should leave Leeds before DOL ruins
his career. David O'L if you read this do the decent thing for
Ireland: either let a club that will play him have him or PLAY him
yourself. Take a look at his last season in Leeds and make Fowler earn
his place.
Jim says: Robbie Keane is one of the most skillfull and fastest
strikers in the Premiership unlike Mark Viduka who does not run at any
point in the match even when he has the ball so he should start before
him so let's have the two Robbie's up front and make a spark.
Samantha Navey says: I think that Robbie Keane is a good football
player. I would like your autograph please.
Robert Feeney says: I can't understand why Robbie is not playing
regularly at Leeds - O'Leary was so big on him at first signing - now
he's lucky to get off the bench - they couldn't score against PSV and
they still let him rot on the bench. Has anybody got any info on
whether Robbie wants a transfer - I'm sure he must at this point - if
he doesn't - I'm sure Mick McCarthy does - any info on whether O'Leary
wants to trade him - anyway - O'Leary used to play for Ireland - what
kind of an Irishman would handicap his national team by benching one
of its star players? We're starved for information on this issue over
here in canada and would appeciate any news on Robbie.
Coops says: Robbie - based on the stats above - must be the world's
highest paid footballer. He has made a total of 145 club appearances
(60% in the first division) but has some how managed to accumulate a
combined transfer value of 31m. This equates - before a dime has been
spent on actual wages - to a whopping 214,000 per game (40 per second,
or 632K per goal if you prefer). Bill Gates would be proud of that
one. That is one hell of an expensive bench warmer by any
standards. And now Leeds look likely to have to sell players to
balance the books. Perhaps European football managers should be made
take an NVQ in Business Studies as well as a coaching badge before
they squander fans hard earnt cash on peripheral adornments to already
lavishly rewarded squads.
Conor Fitzsimons says: He went to my birthday party.
blanca canamero vicente says: hello robie, i am blanca caniamero
and i am spanish i like fotball and here i am loking after irish
children, one of them likes you and i am very happy if you send to
roger a picture with your signature. thank for all and i hope you
squad plays the final with spain.
scott says: Is Robbie Keane Roy Keane's wee brother or related to
him? Can you help settle this argument? Jabba says: no, they're
not.
Bill says: Robbie is a class player and i hope he does will for
ireland
Beany says: World Cup 2002 - awesome talent
Michael Murphy says: I think that Robbie Keane is the greatest
player and he enspirs me to play like him please could I have your
Autograph
Kasia says: Robbie is marvellous-a real football talent.I wish him
all the best & I'd love to meet him one day!Moreover he's got
wonderful eyes and smile!!!!
Mazza Morgan says: I just wanna say that Robbie is amazing and he
is Robbie Keane the Sex Machine!!
Danielle says: robbie u did great in japan. cant wait till the
season starts again and i can see loads more of u! luv ya loads no. 1
fan *d* xx
Ciara O'Malley says: The first time I saw Robbie Play would be in
98 when i was 10..i bacame an instant fan and have followed him ever
since! he is a deadly footballer,and is world class and was just
totally mind blowing in the World Cup! he showed them a thing or two
about football out there in Japan..he's world class! He is just a BIG
legend and I hope he continues to play brilliantly in the future!
Keep cartwheeling Keano!
Lauren (robs BIGGEST admirer and follower) says: DONT GO 2 BORO OR
SUNDERLAND ROB! You are by far one of the best players 4 LUFC. Lets
face it Mark Viduka can never b assed to play whereas u always put
110% effort into every game.u are well better than that fat kangaroo!
DOL was mad not give you as many starts as you deserved and i no that
you will be able to convince the new manager to let you stay! I
believe in you Keano you can do it!!!! ps im avin the statement only 1
keano at the bak of my new shirt next season. pps. PLEAS let Eddie
Gray b r next manager ppps well dun in Japan. Star player or wot. and
finally i think i feel a song cumin on: THEREZ ONLY 1 KEANO! THEREZ
ONLY 1 KEANO! THEREZ ONLY 1 KEANO!!!!!!!!!!!
Grinne says: Robbie-U R a SEX GOD!!!U played brilliant4 Ireland in
the world cup and we're all really proud of you! Love Grinne in
Dublin
Mike says: Hi Robbie, I love watching you play and that goal
against Germany was fantastic!
elaine says: keano is aba e he is a class player and best of all he
is irish go on keano
Nelleke says: He Robbie, you did well in Japan. Good luck in the
upkoming season. O and not to forget. It's alwost your
birthday. CONCRATULATIONS. Lots of love Nelleke from Holland.
Bridget says: Met Robbie almost two years ago, was in Dublin for
the week-end and where we met will remail a secret, but he is a great
young lad. A great footballer with a great personality. I am very
proud that I met Irelands No 10 after all our Donegal man Shay Given
is Irelands No 1, sorry Robbie!!!!!!!!!!!!
SILVIA says: Robbie is the World greatest and he is the best
because he scored at germany.He is so sweet and i love him so like i
love my familie. he is so great and amazing . our whole town in
germany knows him because he is the best footballplayer in the
world. ROBBIE I LOVE YOU I WILL SEE YOU 2006 IN GERMANY. I WILL TAKE
YOU FROM THE AIRPORT. YUO HAVE TO WIN IN MY LAND: ROBBIE CHAMPION 2006
IN GERMANY : IM YOUR BIGGEST FAN KISSS FROM A LITTLE GIRL FROM
GERMANY
Joan Page says: Sunderland supporter from Oz, you know where the
big fat kangaroos come from, and they can spell, would like to know if
Robbie Keane is going to Sunderland, will keep watching this space as
we have tried everything else to find out Thankyou Joan
Silvia Kaufmann says: Robbie is the best player . he is the world
greatest and he will be the champion 2006 in germany . i am very proud
of him
dannielle a derry girl says: keano is a babe i am his no i fan his
thighs are class i know what i would love to do to him
anon says: keano is an irsih hero hope he does well in the euro
quaifilying games but we know he will. he is also a class looking
theres only one keano and that is robbie
aisling from belfast says: keano is a babae he is a hero and why do
leeds want to sell him he is one of there best players hope robbie
does not go to sunderland or spurs as them teams are not good enough
for keano he should stay at leeds and leeds should sell robbie fowler
as he lost his abilty to play years ago while at liverpool
colin says: robbie is the man! i'm an american and can even
recognize his ralent and ability to put balls in the back of he
net. go leeds!
anon says: Hello, yes i have met Robbie and met up with him a few
times him whilst he was playing for Coventry he is a great person and
made me laugh the first tie i spoke to him! Rob if u wanna come back
to balsall let me know!!
Gemma says: Keano sad 2 c u go babe! Agh well we still hav u on r
Ireland team babe! Luv u 2 bits baby!!!!! Go Keano!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Loaise says: im from Dublin and i went to school with him and he
used to use his stdy time to play soccer in the yard with his mates
all the time and even then i knew he would pull on the Green Jersey
for Ireland one day. LOVE U ROBBIE
angela from dublin says: Baby Irish (robbie keane) is the best
player to come out of ireland. He's irelands Micheal Owen
Daniel Phillips says: leeds need to lighen up a little by buying
players we need the midfield sorted out defence is perfect strikers
need to lighten up a little so please do some thing to get us in the
champions league or something else
David F says: well i for one think weve made a blunder selling the
Irish Wonderboy!! Firstly we buy Daz Huckerby to enable coventry to
buy what clubs like Liverpool and Man Utd considered overpriced goods
- he goes to Milan we then flog Huckerby to them cheap and pay 12m
pounds for the player and then flog him half price to Spurs!
Confused? Well we reckon he is a bargain genius and we SHOULD have
flogged Viduka coz hes crap and adds nothing much!!
Amber says: I was sad to see Robbie go to Spurs because I am a big
Robbie fan and I didn't think they were good enough for him. He has
apparently made them a lot better. Good players are what make up good
teams and Robbie is a good player. I am an American from Texas and I
can even see how good he is. If I can see it why couldn't Leeds?
Maybe if they had kept him they wouldn't be in the predicament they
are in now.
scott says: robbie keane is good and young talent for ireland but
no way can he be compared to pele and marodona
tom rochtus says: he is my favourite footballplayer (i live in
belgium) i am looking for his signature for over 3 weeks still nothing
found robbie keane
Sharalyn Murphy says: Hey Babe!!! Ur doin v Well at Spurs n i'm
proud 2 say i'm irish!! But da 1 question i have 2 ask tel y he sold
u on da 1st place n only terry no's dat,wel wats done is done n we've
got 2 get on wit da job n i tink Sarah is rite maybe not da league but
i honestly tink we've a chance of winnin da FA cupcum on Leeds we
believe in u n we no u can do it!!!xXxXx
aisling keane says: robbie how are you you do not no me i just want
to say you are so good at football .
Sarah says: Hey Robzer, I was sorry to see you go-but another part
of me was happy-cuz your doing so well,earning a living and showing
off your deadly talent IN Tottenham!! I was real upset when i heard
about your ankle spurs really struggeled without you today(1-2-03).
Well hopefully you'll be fit for our friendly this month , bring it on
Scotland (no offence i highly respect the Scots!!!) We can go all the
way to the Euro's 2006 & bring the cup home-to Dublin. Good luck
& hope you have a speedy recovery!! Best Wishes & God bless,
Loadsa Love Sarah(Louth) xXxXxXxXx
Chris Power says: keane u r a god at spurs, u r definatly the best
player we have signed in ages. U R DA MAN. If you read this please
send me an email
Tommy says: I wallpapered the lads house five years ago and might I
say what a grand lad he has turned out to be.The best cuppa ive ever
had,and the craics not so bad either!Take care from tommy.
JasonT says: To hell with you all who say that Robbie is the best
Irish player. I bet Roy Keane is better. Yes Robbie has talent, but he
is no-where near to be compared to the likes of Baggio,Ronaldo, Pele,
Cryff or DiStefano. Even Vanistiloij is better at the moment or even
Owen. Face it, Ronaldo by the age 20 he had won the best player of the
year award and had been the topgoal scorer in his league, the Dutch
league. But Robbie has not even been topscorer in the Irish team for
God's sake. Please ya all shut your asses up before you spit out your
shit. Even the whole of America knows that!
Sarah says: Jason T your askin 4 it now!!
roykeane,baggio,ronaldo,pele,cryff,distefano,owen?????? Ha don't make
me laugh!! They don't even deserve a capital letter at the start of
their name let a loan a title like that!! Robbie is 22 stil a young
chap Niall Quinn has da latest Irish record and he was 36 years of age
when he left the squad and I'll tell you 1 thing if you know anything
about football you'll know he's not too far behind da mighty
Quinn-with all respect to Quinn!! who's Spurs top goal scorer this
season???Ah yea what a cowinsidence it's ROBBIE KEANE!!!!! Get my
point yet??? I'd say so.. I could go on for another hour or 2 but I
won't waste my breath on you!! Go on Robs show him what da irish are
made of I didn't let him off handy why should you!?!?!? Good luck
Robs see you on wed at lansdowne,, Sarah xxxxxx
sean dublin says: robbie keane is a quality player who does not get
the credit he deserves and after a great move to spurs and a great
world cup and an amazing solo goal against leeds he is once again
proving that leeds have made another mistake by letting him go just
like cantona,KEANO YOUR GOD AND WE ALL LOOK UP TO YOU HERE IN DUBLIN
12.You are an insprition to kids in crumlin and they all know that
they can achieve what you have by having a good attitude,been class
and having a smart head,keep on doing crumlin united proud
sharon says: Sarah, i couldnt have put it better myself!!! Go girl!
Robbie and duffer are the 2 best players for Ireland! they always play
there best, Jason T if roy is so good then why did he walkout on his
country? any other player would have the decency not to do that! He
thinks he's god when in fact he's far from it
Sharon says: Go Sarah!! Robbie is a brilliant player! he is really
talented and he's really friendly and down-to-earth! roy keane is
no-where as near as good as Robbie. maybe you dont agree but at least
Robbie doesnt walk out on his country at a time where they needed him
the most unlike a certain roy! who ruined colin healys chances of
playin in the world cup. Sean from dublin is dead right. Robbie is a
quality player and has a good attitude. I'm proud to say that he plays
for the best team, Ireland
Roisin and Aoife say: Hi Sharon! No offence but Roy Keane is
savage! and Mick McCarthy is a spa for sending him home so he had no
choice about going home! Sharon, Robbie Keane is a savage footballer
but he tries to do to much of it himself, sorry Shar but he does!
Sarah says: Good man sean!!!!
Sharon says: yeah, i know he doesnt pass the ball as much as he
could, but he's still a great player, and Roy Keane said first that he
was leaving when they were in Saipan, then he said he'd stay, then
Mick McCarthy told him to go, If you read the world cup book, you'll
also see that the players were happy bout that cos on Roy's seat in
the bus they put a sign on the seat saying R.I.P.
Sarah says: aaaahhhaaaaa!really i didn't no dat RIP in da seat i'm
in bits laughin here aahh dats a good one!!!!! Roisin,Aoife eh no
sorry i don't agree at all!!!!
Sharon says: Thanks Sarah! At least someone agrees with me!
Everyone else seems to stick up for roy, You should read the world cup
book its really good and it proves that all the players were happy
bout roy leavin except ian harte, in roy's interview he said that ian
was the only one who wanted him to stay cos he went to roys room and
said bye and when niall quinn said that the players have to stick
together ian was the only one that didnt clap. Sarah, what you think
of Shay Given?? Check out www.shay-given.com its the official site and
Shay's brother Kieran set it up
Ian says: robbie kean is a good striker for spurs and always will
be untill he leaves
Lill (London) says: Robbie Keane is THE god at spurs. I am a huge
spurs supporter and think the future is promising with you in the
squad. Hopelfully Hoddle (the other God) will bring in some other
players to help u onto more greatness. ps i saw u against everton at
the lane. u were ace it was robbie keane against everton casue the
rest of the team did nothing.
sarah christian says: i think you are the best player on pitch
because you always score!
jimmy gray says: i think your the best player in the world i think
lufc see should of kept u and played u with smithy all the time i hope
leeds bye u again off tottnem u are a big loss since u left keep the
good work i know uwill your biggest fan jimmy.
Vale (from Milan) says: Robs is the best player around (alongs with
Duffer of course)and ive been his fan since he was at inter. The first
time ive ever been to see a match at a stadium was last summer in
Lansdowne Rd against the Aussies and twas bad that Robbie had to leave
the pitch like that but i enjoed every single min of his game!he is
the best and i agree with Sarah!
Jayne Massey says: I do Robbie Keane's unofficial website and I
just want to give it a quick plug! www.robbiekeane.net Please visit
my site!!
Sarah xxx says: I set up a website about Robbie Keane a while ago
with all the latest news and pictures! Please come and visit and also
join the forum! www.robbiekeane.tk
Matt McGinnity says: i live in America so not alot of people know
Robie Kean. but i'll tell u 1 thing hes my favorite play in the world
and i would be so honnerd to se him play
,p>Lydell says: I wish Robbie was Enlgish so he could lead us to glory
at Euro 2004, he has been Spurs best player since arrving in 2002 and
the arrival of Defoe and Kanoute hasnt changed that. What a legend!!
Roy Keane is a self obsessed prick who should never have been allowed
back into the Irish squad, nobody that selfish deserves a second
chance, especially when ur past it neway!!
jamie says: robbie could you email me back and answer what team do
you surport p.s i support spurs
chaz says: i saw robbie keane with his family at chitty chitty bang
bang and have got a ticket signed by him i am willing to sell
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