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| Wednesday, 25 August 2010 13:46 |
We will rely on Meireles when we have him in full - Villas Boas“Otamendi has great future” With a 100% record so far in competitive matches as FC Porto boss, Andre Villas Boas has enjoyed a bright start to life at the Dragao, and the former Academica coach has set his team the target of two more wins before the international break.
Porto sit top of the Liga Zon Sagres with two wins from their opening two games, while the Super Cup success over Benfica and a 3-0 win over Genk in Belgium in the Europa League means Villas Boas’ side have four wins from four so far this season, and are yet to concede a goal. Next up for the Dragons is the home leg of the Europa League play-off with Genk, and Villas Boas insists his team will treat the match with the utmost importance. “The team will approach the match in a serious way. There will be no taking it easy or doing as little as we can to go through. I am 32 years old and I have been in football for a while. I may be new, but I am not stupid. If the Genk coach thinks I am sleeping, he can be assured I am not. I was not born yesterday. “Our goal is to reach the international break with two more wins, first against Genk and then (at the weekend) with Rio Ave. Therefore, against Genk, the player will not rest until the final whistle." Meireles latestIt is still unknown whether Raul Meireles will be a part of the Porto squad aiming to reclaim the Portuguese title from Benfica this season. The midfielder has seen his involvement with the Porto first team reduced considerably as speculation over his future has persisted throughout the summer.When asked about Meireles, Porto coach Villas Boas hinted that the Portugal international would still have a role to play at the club should he remain with the team. “Raul is a very important player, who has helped to win many titles with club,” Villas Boas said. “When we have him in full, as a man and a player, we will count on him. Until the market closes, we must say that anything can happen. For example, my experience in Italy was that, on the last day of the window, it is very busy.” With Meireles still a possible departure, there is a new arrival in the Porto ranks, with Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi joining after signing a four-year deal from Velez Sarsfield. Villas Boas is pleased to have the 22-year-old on board, having long wished to strengthen his defensive options. “It is important to have added someone to an area that needed it after the departure of Bruno Alves. He (Otamendi) has a great future. Now it all depends on how quickly he integrates. He comes in good shape, so it will be a matter of adapting to a new lifestyle.” By Sean Gillen Keep up to date with all the latest news on Portuguese football with the new PortuGOAL Twitter! |
If he doesn't go by Aug. 31, it will be interesting to see where his head will be at... At this point, him not being sold is a situation that neither he nor the club really want to deal with... I'm surprised he hasn't been sold yet, but at the same time Porto will not sell him for anything under 20 million...
As for Villa Boas.. I like him as a Manager but was unsure if he was ready for the Porto post which is a very important one.
I guess we will find out this year... but I still think he has a future one way or another.. he just like most managers in Portugal needs an Asssistant that is a specialist in Dead Ball situations..
It will be an interesting season... good luck to Villa Boas as well as Meireles who I admittedly through under the bus a couple of times for the Nat team.