Hernan Crespo To Not Start For Inter Milan In Champions League Play

When Inter Milan start the group play portion of the Champions League next week they will be without a familiar face, Hernan Crespo.

Crespo who had played at the club twice before being released from his contract with Chelsea this past July, has been left out of Jose Mourinho's 25 man line up. Marco Branca, the clubs director, stated that the decision to leave Crespo out was merely a technical one.

A Technical Decision or a Foolish one?

Foolish is the term that I would use. Crespo is about a seasoned player on the team as you are going to get. Prior to moving to Chelsea in 2003, he played for Inter for a year.

Once he arrived at Chelsea, he was immediately loaned out to A.C. Milan in 2004. He returned to the Bridge a year later and played under Moruinho for the 2005-2006 season before voicing his desire to return to Italy.

Chelsea refused to let him out of his contract but loaned him to Inter in 2006. After his contract with Chelsea ended this past July, the Argentine striker signed a full contract with Inter.

Despite having history with the team, Crespo is also an effective finisher. With the exception of his time at Chelsea, he has scored a goal on average in every other game that he has played.

So, he has history with the team. He understands how the system at Inter works. He can thump the back of the net. Why leave him out?

You Didn't Want To Play For Me.

While Crespo's pleads to be released from Chelsea were only met with yet another loan, there is one person who likely paid attention. Jose Mourinho. The Special One who took over at Inter in the summer is likely leaving Crespo out of the line up simply because Crespo snubbed him.

I have not seen the official line up ahead of the match but Inter lack anyone up front in the primary striker role that can finish with the consistency of Crespo.

And if there is one overarching theme to European play is that winning in the Champions League equals job security.

There was speculation that one of the primary reasons that Mourinho left Chelsea is that he failed to win the Champions League. The same has been said Liverpool boss, Rafel Benitez.

Your Decisions Ultimately Hurt You More Than Anyone Else

That's the advice that should be passed along to Mourinho. Just because the guy didn't want to play on your squad, doesn't mean that you should bench a consistant finisher.

Your personal views should not interfer with squad selection. However, if you feel brave enough to do so and Inter get knocked out of the competition don't cry when you are looking for a job next summer.