Stoke Sub is Gattuso and Kaka Rolled into One

How about this for some excellent man management from Ireland’s Italian boss Giovanni Trapattoni:

Ahead of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Georgia, Trap was quizzed on his preference for playing Glenn Whelan - currently warming the bench for Premier League strugglers Stoke City - in central midfield. Here’s what Trap told the pres:

“When I first saw Whelan, I thought immediately ‘midfield’. In Italy there is a famous player, Gattuso — for Milan he is very, very important. He is no Inzaghi, Kaka, but he is Gattuso. For us, Whelan is the same in midfield. We need a strong player.”

I’m sure the Pitbull comparisons were good for Whelan’s confidence, but either Whelan’s never seen Gattuso play, or he missed the part where his manager said he was “no Kaka”. Because as well as doing his defensive midfield duties for Ireland in the 2-1 win over Georgia, Whelan banged in this goal from about 40 yards out:

So Stoke sub Glenn Whelan is Gennaro Gattuso and Ricky Kaka rolled into one, but only when he plays for Giovanni Trapattoni. Now that’s what I call man management.