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| Tuesday, 31 January 2012 12:20 |
Yannick Djalo signs for BenficaStriker crosses the Lisbon divide; Amorim loaned to Braga Former Sporting striker Yannick Djalo has made the short trip across what is often Lisbon’s biggest car park, the segunda circular, and joined city rivals Benfica. The 25-year-old forward has signed a four and a half year contract with the Eagles.
A full Portugal international, Djalo looked set for a big future in the game early in his career, but has stagnated in recent seasons and has not played at all for six months following the collapse of his proposed transfer to Nice. Benfica coach Jorge Jesus will attempt what several coaches have failed to do thus far, and fully harness Yannick’s undoubted talent. The Guinea-Bissau born player was never able to add consistency to sporadic flashes of brilliance at the Alvalade club. He scored 23 goals in 98 league games for Sporting. No transfer fee is involved and Yannick started working with his new team-mates at the Seixal training complex this morning. Ruben Amorim loaned to BragaAmorim publicly apologised for the incident yesterday, and his loan move to Braga until the end of the 2012/13 season was subsequently announced. Somewhat bizarrely, Benfica also disclosed that the contract tying Amorim to the Lisbon club had been extended to 2014. Amorim, a member of Portugal’s 2010 World Cup squad, joins two other ex Benfica players now plying their trade at the AXA Stadium, goalkeeper Quim and striker Nuno Gomes. Tom Kundert Related: Yannick Djalo PortuGOAL profile Related: Ruben Amorim PortuGOAL profile |
And speaking of getting it right, when Benfica is playing great and dominating and you have nothing to say, no ammunition, nobody to pick on, you go back to your usual tricks. Ripping Benfca as an organization for not developing NT players, tunnel conspiracies, picking on people, making fun of Carlos Martins (who would be at the end of the bench on the current squad, was loaned out for a reason, and will likely never play for the team again) and silly stuff like that. You behaved well for a while, especially while Braga faltered and sputtered, but now look like you have some wind in your sails and are up to your old tricks. Pathetic...
The analogy of the African Nations Cup was a perfect example to illustrate the fact that many players in this tournament, not just goalkeepers, are stars for their national team yet not first team regulars for their European clubs. Lastly, don't be so dismissive of the quality of African football. Don't forget that some of the best players on the planet (Drogba, Essien, Yaya Toure, Eto'o etc etc), playing for some of the top clubs in the world, are from Africa. In World Cup 2010, African teams held their own in matches against European opposition, and the difference in quality is not as great as you seem to believe...
Sadly, Eduardo's form was horrible in Italy, but I have to agree with others that have said that he should be given more playing time than he's received at Benfica. If I were him, I would move on. Ultimately, I don't think him or Patricio is anyone's "dream choice" for keeper of the Seleccao, but right now Patricio has to get the nod because he sees regular playing time.
Somebody brought up the African Cup of Nations and how many of the goalkeepers are not regular starters for their clubs, but need I remind you that competition is a little bit more intense in UEFA than it is in the CAF? European teams are on an entirely different level than most African teams, and first team football is an essential for any position. I've watched quite a bit of the ACN myself, and I have to say that the quality of goalkeeping for many of the African teams has been tremendously poor. Eduardo is a decent keeper and was great in the world cup/qualifying. Now, he has to play first team football with his club, and until he does, he can't make any claims to be starter for Portugal.
I also agree with Orlando Mac and others who say that it is entirely up to Yannick if he succeeds or not with Benfica. Others have said that it's all about JJ and whether he can get the most out of him, but in truth, Yannick needs to put on his shooting boots and find the back of the net with some consistency. Nobody can do that for him.
Lastly i don't share some of the notions I've read recently that all our big players...Garay, Axel, Javi etc...will be sold in the summer. Gaitan will go because of the huge money that will be ofered for him, but not neccesarilly these others. There is a real growing feeling that Benfica are a rising force in Europe again, and indeed this season we have been one of the in-form teams in all of Europe. Add to that the great profits we have made on just 4 players in the last 18 months (almost 100 million euros), plus the Champs League revenue..and we are in better shape financially too. No club came even close to signing any of our big players this January window...and (Gaitan aside) this may continue...I hope so!
Vitor, had a couple of good games and a couple of bad games showing me he has the potential to be a good CB for us as he continues to develop and train with the main squad. He’s in no way at the same level as Garay and Luisao.
Both Nelson and Rodrigo have looked amazing for their respective national squads. They both were given equal chances early on and unfortunately Nelson didn’t do much while Rodrigo was out of this world. So it’s fair that he got a nod for a few more mins. Then on Nelson’s next chance he does nothing and Rodrigo is subbed on in the last 10mins and wins us the game. Nelson shows great promise but Rodrigo has earned his place ahead of him. This is a club that looks to win not just play Portuguese players and lose matches.
As for Eduardo, not only do I think he shouldn’t start, he shouldn’t even get these cup games. He’s not our player and has no option for us to purchase him. He was a back up in case Artur flopped but he’s been amazing. Our cup games should go to Mika so that at least we are developing our talent, not an Italian club’s talent. As for the comment the JJ is scared of Eduardo’s success, the guy had one good season in the Portuguese liga. Artur had a good season in both the Portuguese liga and Europa for Braga. So he by far had a better track record to start and has lived up to his hype at our club.
Miguel looked great in ONE match this preseason. He was ok in the others, and I clearly remember him look bad in a match that he actually scored in. To say he was better than Garay is foolish. Also, if you recall he got injured and was out for a while, opening the door for Jardel.
Due to the collapse of big time defenses this season, I see Garay getting sold for a tidy profit in the summer. Miguel will then have plenty of opportunity to show well and get first team play.
Nelson had a great U20 and, in my opinion was the most valuable player for Portugal. He scored 4 goals, and the 2 penalties actually enhance his stature in my opinion. It showed great confidence in stepping up and taking them. Maybe more important were the total of minutes he played.
But Rodrigo was no slouch, with 3 goals of his own for a very talented squad. Rodrigo also came into this season as a much more seasoned player than Nelson.
You can say all you want about Genoas defense, but Eduardo was awful last season. Everything we screamed about Roberto, Italians were doing the same about Eduardo.
I still think that he's a tremendous keeper, but coming off a season like he had you couldn't hand him the starting nod. He would of also have gotten more games this season if we hadn't been knocked out of the Taca.
All that being said, although I'm against anyone starting who hasn't played, it will be a tough decision for Bento. Maybe, unfortunately he will go with Patricio.
I know that it always seems as if Portuguese sit at Benfica. But the fact of the matter is that who ever brings in the dollars usually plays first. I think that Nico, Javi and Garay will be gone, and even Axel might get sold. But if people settle in, I could see Enzo and Nolito and Matic stepping into the starting lineup. Will that be a disservice? Not if we win.
The problem with this situation is that the seleccao could suffer as a result, because an inferiour keeper Patricio will likely get the nod for the Euros. In some ways I wished Eduardo would've moved to another club this January to force his way back into the seleccao first team. It didn't happen, and hopefully Bento will realise the obvious: that he is head and shoulders the best Portuguese guarda, and is good enough to be first choice for the seleccao even though he isn't first choice at Benfica. Let's hope!!!
Take Miguel Vitor he has played better than Garay in pre-season.. better in Europe.. but I can understand the use of Garay.. and he performs well.. but Garay went down.. you would think Vitor would start.. after playing so well in the position in defence in the CL.. yet Jardel got the starts.. Vitor didn't even get one.
Now I love Rodrigo and before he got a start here I complained about him not being included in the squad.. yet he was run out and Nelson Oliveira who had more goals than him than him in the U20 rarely if ever got a start.
Eduardo.. who had a poor year in the worst league in the world with the worst defence on the content was made to be a scapegoat last year..
In the last World Cup he was as good as or better than any GK on the planet.. I thought he was the best in the tournament and qualifying.. the only reason we qualified was because of his excellence.. yet Artur who is also great gets almost every minute..
This is after Eduardo on loan at Braga during JJ's reign.. made him look so bad .. JJ won't take a risk at once again looking foolish.. but if you look at the 4 games Eduardo has played he barely has given up a goal with less than Benfica's best squad around him.
It is not rocket science.. if the player is as good as than they should get the nod..
Hey I love Artur but Eduardo should get more than 4 games.. damn the Brazilian Chicken started all Cup games and even played in Europe.. last year.. and he sucked. Roberto the Spanish Frango was our starter... now a quality keeper like Eduardo doesn't ever play?
Anyways the point is it is an open book still for Djalo.. and really Djalo is the one that needs to do some work.. he is on a free so he already is a win.. if he wants to excel.. then he better get to work.
Mateus not all of us have smoked ourselves stupid.. but it does explain a lot as of your cognitive mirroring.
Winning allows us to bring in money through tourneys, exposure, merchandising, and sell players at a profit. We're still a "selling club".
If Djalo is capable to help us win and or become a key commodity, he will play. People have said how Coentrao forced his way into the lineup, and even Nolito and Rodrigo have to some extent. If good enough, Djalo could do the same.
I for one think that people tend to overreact when they see a speeding Portuguese running up the wing. Just because we've had some recent success in cultivating that talent, it doesn't mean they're all going to stars.
I am a little concerned though that we didn't purchase a back-up right back, with Amorim leaving. This means if something should happen to Maxi we'd have to play an inexperienced Almeida at right back. Perhaps Miguel Vitor is an alternative for right back too? Im actually happy Capdevila has stayed, because he's a very experienced player who can cover for Emerson. I see he is registered now for the Champions League which is good for us. And I see Enzo Perez has remained too after all..he is WAY down the pecking order now after all that went on, and even more so with Djalo having joined. But he's a big talent and perhaps next season could be his time, once Gaitan leaves. Overall things are looking good for us, and we certainly have the strongest squad in Portugal...
Djalo is one more portuguese player that will be rotting on Benfica's bench or sidelines. I personally believe Djalo was brought simply for Vieira to win the elections nothing more. Vieira has a habit of being corrupt like PDC (e.g choosing refs for games,
Some really interesting comments but i still can't get my head around it. I mean seriously!!?
Djalo and Adu have never been big players, just potential.
Capdevilla could very well be passed it over the long haul.
Eduardo was necessary back up to Artur.
Since he was free, I could care less if Djalo sits. If he shows something, fine. If not, ok.
Just like getting Nani when he is acting up...
not trying to compare the two but Nani needed lots of help at times.
Djalo like everyone said, has a lot of talent and speed to burn.. the rest of the issues presented can be taught if the player wants to learn.
I thought if any Paciencia would be able to get some consistency out of him unfortunately it never happened.
Jello is on his last legs here to achieve the big stage so he either gets it or doesn't.
Fact is he is a Portuguese National.. and hasn't been playing well.. under JJ that would normally mean that as a talented Pork he would get no starts but since he has been failing he most likely will get some time off of the bench as a sub out of position.
JJ's track record is to avoid talented Portuguese and only play them to fail.. he also likes a project when it comes to a failure.. so Djalo I think will get a chance.. but not much of one.. in the end Benfica will get more than a free and it will be well worth it.
Djalo coming off of the bench could prove beneficial to add some goals to a low scoring game that we are leading.. so I like the deal in that respect.. also I have a feeling they are just trying to shore up Gaitan's spot because he will be gone for good if not now in the summer.
JJ since Paciencia failed might make it his mission to make Djalo succeed so that he looks like such a great boss where others have failed.
Unlike Forca, NJ and Andre I think Benfica has to play their best players.. and the fact is that the Portuguese that LFV has bought are as good as if not better than players that have started ahead of them.
Amorim for example when he was playing well in the AM & Wingers role a few years ago.. never got much playing time.. but did enough to make the National Team.. this year early when he was playing poorly he got a lot of good looks.. out of position as a FB. Par for the course.. just like Peixoto who sucked and got more time because of it.
Which brings us to Coentrao who was forced upon JJ.. he outplayed DiMaria in preseason and was 3rd string behind DiMaria & Peixoto.. it wasn't until Peixoto went down with an injury did Coentrao make the line-up and this only happened because he was a monster off of the bench. So JJ played him out of position at LB expecting him to fail.. the rest is history and that was a great partnership that would've never happened under JJ is not by accident.
It also helped that Queiroz on National TV called out JJ and told him that Coentrao should play as a LB.. the plan for failure happily exploded in JJ's face.
Nolito is the same.. his skill demands more but JJ trying his best to put a 45 on his campaign... fortunately Nolito is much greater than JJ and when on the field.. is besides Cardozo our best player.. followed by Artur & Luisao.
So we will either see the Eduardo Show where JJ will hold Djalo on the bench never to play him where he can excel.. or we will see the genius JJ that will overplay him out of position so that he can gain some praise from half results.
I personally think Djalo has lots of talent, I watched him score two great goals against the douches of Juve this summer.. but I think he needs to prove his way on as a back-up... played in cup games and as injury calls. From there he might gain that form that would instill greatness in him..
In the end it is a free and in a few years he can still be sold.. for a huge profit.
So it is a great deal.. whether he will amount to anything.. I highly doubt..
Unless JJ can get Yannick Djalo to consistently be at his best, I could see him as an excellent impact sub. Even though, I have never been a big fan of his, I haven't given up on him yet. Hopefully he'll be a great signing.
But as its free it will be low risk, so I guess Benfica can sell him to Besiktas, or another graveyard for Portuguese 'talent' in the future for a profit.
I have to admit, I don't completely understand what Jorge Jesus is doing... I don't think Yannick is up to scratch when it comes to Benfica's current starting squad (which I admit is very good at the moment.) I doubt he will be starting, but who knows. JJ is a really good coach, and he has a knack for making unusual/unexpected signings and getting them to work well with the rest of the team.
I think Yannick is good, but I can't say that I am sorry to see him go from SCP. But good luck to him in the future.
Forca Domingos,
Forca Sporting
if were using two forwards, he still shouldn't start ahead of rodrigo or nelson oliveira(assuming cardozo is the other starter) or if were using one forward, i cant see him play as a winger since he easily loses the ball in close battles.
Personally i don't think this signing was necessary since we already have quality forwards, but it was a free deal afterall. If he doesnt produce we can sell him after.
When I heard Portuguese praise him it reminds me of Brits going crazy over Walcott and/or Young. Guys that impress every once in a while and are lacking more often than not.
We'll see.
Amorin punched his own ticket out of town. I do find it interesting that we extended his deal. It would lead me to believe we are making money on the loan and there's some kind of buy out. If so, good piece of business for a player that had become a problem.
The Capdevilla situation is interesting. He wants and needs to play desperately in order to be on Spains Euro squad. If we don't get what we want for him, we just might have a highly motivated player on our hands. All the Emerson haters just might get their wish. Let me add, if he stays, Capdevilla will need spot rests.
The Perez thing is a mess. His agent has lied repeatily and there was clear involvement from clubs.
I know it will cost us, but I think we shouls stick to our guns on this one. He's not big enough to cause a riff in the dressing room.
People have forgotten about Wass has Maxis backup. He's doing well on loan.
As for Amorim, that's a good move for him and will give him the first-team football he craves. He was never really gonna be a regular player for Benfica. However we have one day to find a back-up right back for Maxi now, and I hope we do as we are quite short in that position. Almeida is still too inexperienced. Also i wonder if after all the controversy this season surrounding these 2 players...whether both Capdevila and Enzo Perez will remain with us for the remainder of the season? It seems that way at the moment, but you just never know on transfer deadline day...and in the hours leading up to midnight tonight, everything could change!
The guy never worked well with his team but man did he ever have some good speed. You can't question his potential so it will be interesting to see if he can finally do something.