PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 31 August 2010 11:53

Yannick Djalo drafted into Portugal squad

Sporting forward replaces injured Varela

Yannick DjaloFollowing confirmation that Porto’s Silvestre Varela is unavailable through injury, Sporting forward Yannick Djalo has been called into the Portugal squad as his replacement.
 
Djalo is the second change to the 20-man squad announced on Sunday evening, after Ricardo Quaresma was summoned to substitute the injured Cristiano Ronaldo.
 
Portugal open their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign at home to Cyprus on Friday before travelling to Norway for their second match on Tuesday. Interim coach Agostinho Oliveira is in charge of the team in the absence of the suspended Carlos Queiroz.
 
The average age of the Portuguese party (26.2 years) is significantly lower than the World Cup squad. The addition of debutants Nuno Andre Coelho and Silvio has contributed to this fact, along with the inclusion of Joao Moutinho (23), Manuel Fernandes (24), and Nani (23), all of whom missed out on South Africa.
 
Liedson is the elder statesman of the squad, at 32 years of age, while Braga right-back Silvio beats Fabio Coentrao to the “baby of the family” label. Both defenders are 22.
 
 
Comments (7)
Varela
7 Wednesday, 01 September 2010 07:57
Mitch
I luv varela as a player and i find him to be mature and always consistent unlike quaresma...
i like djalo but im gutted ot hear that varela is not playing
i would still rather quaresma play than cr
call up
6 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 19:01
Nathan/USA
On the one hand I'm glad to see him getting called up for Portugal. On the other, I agree more with jon. He can't play in the system we use. As a matter of fact, the system we use requires a striker that is simply more talented than any that we currently have. I like Almeida and still think that he is our number one striker, but he is really just a poacher and is not very technically gifted either. However, Yannick is still a ways behind me even in that department.

I think it was pretty telling that during the transfer season there were lots of rumors and none of them panned out for him. Teams consider him for his speed but they pass on him because of his poor touch/control.

I think that if he would've been coached better at Sporting (where they have a new coach every year it seems), then he could've been magnificent.
wow
5 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 19:00
jonhieoooooooooo
I cant believe this guy gets called up.
this guy is horrible, isnt even portuguese & cant score.
Digam-me que isto nao é verdade... Por amor de deus.
Is he really better than makukula, nuno gomes?
we are better off calling up Joao Silva, ya u know the guy who scored a few goals in the 2nd division last year, signed for everton & hasnt seen 1 second of playing time and hesnt even been called to the bench, oh and apperantly he is the next pauleta.
I think we'd be better off calling up...friggin ...nobody for christ sakes.
yes
4 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 15:52
mike/jersey
I wish cr7 and varela were playing and they get rid of the coach. The youth movement is what we need let them play together get a rythem with some key vetren players and lets take it from there. Germany has a lot of young players on there team. Im excited we needed to do this!
Overrated
3 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 13:57
justin from rochester
Well said jon, I would like to add also that often times you see the cameroons,nigerias and ghanas play with all these track stars that lack the final product. Do you ever notice how all those african teams have european coaches? Some players who are just fast as lightning lack the final touch. Similar with this guy, I think he is a great athlete but why has he not figured out the technical aspects of the game. You should know that by 18 years old especially if you grew up playing in professional systems like sporting. How much longer does it take to learn to not take a shot from 40 yards out or learn how to complete a pass over 25 yards consistently. I think this guy is the exact opposite in terms of athelticism as miguel veloso is. Veloso is slow as hell with no ability and yannick is fast as hell with no ability. Don't like either player right now but I hope that changes.
Simao Sabrosa
2 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 13:38
SupremoGino
I think Djalo isnt of quality to be playing on the nt and should have stayed helping the reserves. Yes, he scored a quite easy goal yesterday. Take a look at Simao's goal with Atletico. I know for sure his intentions were never to retire yet. Those "personal reasons" were because of Carlos Queiroz and the national team situation.

Simao was the best choice after Quaresma. As you can see without CR, Varela the starting wingers are going to be Quaresma, Nani. With no subs? Simao needed to be there as an impact player. If he truly wanted to retire, he could have just filled in while they were injured. Even though the opponents are easy, I'm sure some people are not comfortable with Quaresma starting.

Yannick was a poor replacement choice.
Yannick Djalo
1 Tuesday, 31 August 2010 12:29
jon/usa
Many posters on this site want to give Djalo a chance on the seleccao and so do I, but there are limits to what he can do. Djalo has played primarily as a winger this season for sporting and has done reasonably well. He can also play as a second striker, but cannot play well in the isolated role the seleccao uses. Djalo is extremely fast and is fantastic with counter attacks, but that really is the only good attribute he really has.

He is not that great technically. How often do we see his terrible first touch. His ball control can be very poor at times and he sometimes has a lot of trouble when games are slower and more tactical. His passing is not great and his shooting is very inconsistent.

Overall, Yanncik Djalo is a raw talent who has a lot of potential. The only problem is that he has been this way for years. He needs to develop the technical aspects of his game if he wants to have a chance of playing for his country.

Add your comment

Name/Country:
Subject:
Comment:
yvComment v.1.21.1
 

Live Scores