Category Archives: AS Roma

Gini Wijnaldum: Why the PSV star is the ideal signing for Newcastle

  By O-Posts Team | July 31, 2024 - 11:55 | , , , , , , , , , ,
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Georginio Wijnaldum signing with Newcastle United was an eyebrow raiser for football fans and journalists alike. Wijnaldum the previous year had links to PSG and Athletico Madrid. This year’s transfer window had seen the likes of Manchester United, Roma, Zenit Saint Petersburg, and Olympique Marseille linked with the talented midfielder.

But his move to Newcastle United may prove to be the perfect fit for his undoubted talent as a midfielder and great leadership skills on and off the pitch. That is something greatly needed as new manager Steve McClaren looks to bring the Magpies back to playing attractive football but also be competitive for a top eight finish in the Premier League.

A player pivotal to PSV Eindhoven winning it’s first Eredivisie title since 2008, the 24­ year old Georginio “Gini” Wijnaldum was the least mentioned potential transfer target early on in this year’s transfer window. Memphis Depay was always the first name associated to PSV with his dynamic runs on both wings and spectacular goals.

But Wijnaldum won Eredivisie player of the year for 2015. Tells you how much Dutch writers feel about Gini. The statistics show his unbelievable penchant for putting the ball in the back of the net: 14 league goals in 33 Eredivisie League matches (18 goals in all competitions.) He was only substituted out of matches twice.

Under PSV coach, Philip Cocu, they play a dominant passing oriented system this term, but have embraced a counter-­attacking system on occasion, normally within a preferred 4­-3-­3 formation. The midfielder has fine-­tuned certain parts of his game this past term and has been an integral part of PSV’s style. He is a #10 by trade, but has played most recently in the box­ to ­box (#8) midfield role and and as a deeper lying (#6) midfield position.

Whichever style they adopt in each game, Wijnaldum is pivotal in it being a success. His work rate is great, while his awareness and tracking of runs in midfield makes him a vital component in cutting out attacks coming through the middle. From here, he can start a charge forward for his side.

These qualities will be a welcome addition to Newcastle’s midfield­­ bringing much more tactical flexibility to the squad and allowing McClaren to adjust formations and strategies through the pre­season. Of note that Newcastle has been playing in a 4­-2­-3­-1 formation in their first few friendly matches.

Interesting to see how McClaren will have used Wijnaldum in friendlies in this system (lately being used in his comfortable midfield role just behind the forward line.) Or will McClaren use his much favored 4-­3­-3 system he used at FC Twente and Derby County.

McClaren has said of Wijnaldum: “This signing is a real statement for the club. It is a big transfer for a very good player and I am delighted to have Gini here at the club. “He has lots of energy and a great tempo to his game. He is very skilful but is also capable of playing box to box and, importantly, he can score goals. He is at the right age and the right fit for Newcastle. He is a leader as well and you will see that. He is someone who always wants the ball, can deal with it and we need that kind of character in the team.”

No doubt a coup that Newcastle landed the PSV captain — a reflection of owner Mike Ashley’s commitment to finally invest money on new talented players. The signing of Wijnaldum definitely unlocked the door to land other talents like Mitrovic and Mbemba from Anderlecht in Belgium and could spark a revival for the Magpies this coming Premier League season.

 

Written by Vic Charnetsky

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Sergio Romero: Why Argentina’s number one is Europe’s most sought-after free agent

  By O-Posts Team | July 23, 2024 - 16:59 | , , , , , , , , ,
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Despite being the most-capped Argentine goalkeeper of all time, Sergio Romero has struggled for attention at club level over the past couple of years. Now, a free-agent after being released by Sampdoria, the Argentina number one is being courted by some of the biggest club sides in Europe.

The 28-year-old needs a decent transfer and after his admirable service at international level he deserves the opportunity to prove his talents.

 

Who is Sergio Romero?

There are none more established international stars who have experienced such a strange and difficult career as Sergio Romero. Born in the northern city of Bernado de Irigoyen, deep into the province of Misiones, Romero moved as a teenager to Buenos Aires province after being spotted by Club Almirante Brown.

Already standing over six feet tall, Romero had already earned his nickname of ‘Chiquito’ as a result of being the youngest of three brothers and his brother Diego, a professional basketball player, being significantly taller.

Racing Club’s famed academy soon snapped up the young Romero and he signed his first professional contract with La Academia aged nineteen. Despite some years in Avellaneda, young Chiquito made just five first team appearances before Louis van Gaal’s AZ Alkmaar side snapped him up at the end of the 2007 season.

A difficult first season in Holland meant Romero spent a lot of time on the bench but the following season he established himself as Van Gaal’s number one as Alkmaar were crowned Eredivisie champions for only the second time. Romero kept 18 clean sheets in the season and the following season came close to a Dutch record after not conceding a goal for 950 minutes.

These impressive statistics and having already established himself in the Argentina side prompted Serie B side Sampdoria to pay €2.1 million for the keeper and in his first season in helped the club back into the Italian top flight.

However, just as Romero became more and more of a permanent fixture in the Argentina starting eleven despite changes of management, his status at club level declined. Eventually loaned out to Monaco, Chiquito still found himself struggling for playing time behind the Croatian first-choice keeper, Danijel Subasic and returned to Sampdoria at the end of the 2013-14 season.

Matters in Genoa had not improved after a year away but in spite of this Gerardo Martino followed all his predecessors in naming Romero his first-choice for the Copa America. This run in the side saw Chiquito overtake Ubaldo Fillol as the most-capped goalkeeper in Argentine history and cement his place in national side history.

Romero’s greatest successes have undoubtedly come in Argentine colours and during the World Cup in Brazil he truly announced himself on the international scene. Few Argentina fans will forget the sight of Javier Mascherano screaming “You’re going to become a hero” before Romero stopped penalties from Ron Vlaar and Wesley Sneijder to send La Albiceleste to the World Cup final.

Ultimately, Romero’s career, like all his current Argentina teammates, is a series of what-might-have-beens after narrowly missing out on two major tournaments. Now though, his career needs the club move that a keeper of his status warrants.

 

Manchester United and Real Madrid lead the chase

A 28-year-old, 62-times capped international, available on a free-transfer it is no wonder that there is intense interest in Romero. Newspaper reports suggest that Roma, Real Madrid and Manchester United have all met with his agent to discuss possible terms since his client was released by Sampdoria.

Perhaps the possible transfer of David De Gea may change the market for goalkeepers, particularly when it comes to Manchester United and Real Madrid, but current reports suggest it is Louis van Gaal’s side who are poised to seal the deal.

A three-year-deal worth €1.8 million-per-year is close to completion and will see Romero finally move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.

The link with Louis van Gaal may have been the tipping point in these negotiations but, with United ready to dispense with Victor Valdes, there is a need for a goalkeeper regardless of whether De Gea stays or goes.

As backup to De Gea, Romero should still see plenty of playing time with United back in the Champions League and at least this will see him playing at the highest level.

At 28 years of age, and as a goalkeeper, Sergio Romero should have his best years ahead of him and so he could still add plenty to his already burgeoning number of caps with Argentina.

For whichever club he ends up at, they might be picking up a real bargain.

 

Written by Peter Coates

Follow Peter on Twitter @golazoargentino

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Serie A: The League’s Top 9 Best Young Talents to Watch this Season

  By O-Posts Team | July 22, 2024 - 21:15 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Juventus signed the Argentine forward for 32 million euros (£23.4 million) from Sicilian outfit Palermo this summer.

Last season, the 21-year-old scored 13 times for Palermo and provided ten assists - very impressive considering it was his first season in Serie A and was with a relegation-battling side.

Dybala is versatile, athletic and agile, with good technique and an ability to fit into different tactical systems in attack.

I don’t like to make player comparisons but I can understand why many have likened him to his international compatriot, Sergio Aguero.

It will be intriguing to see if Paulo can make that step up with the reigning champions.

With Carlos Tevez departing last season’s Champions League runners-up, he will need to be able to provide spark up front as well as goals.

 

Daniele Rugani (Juventus)

Having initially brought him to Turin on loan in 2012, Juventus took full ownership of the 20-year-old in February for 3.5 million euros to terminate the co-ownership deal that had previously been in effect with Empoli.

Rugani spent 12 years with Empoli, joining them at the age of six and progressing through the youth ranks.

He enjoyed similar success with the Italy age group teams along the way and is regarded as the future of Italy’s defence.

Rugani is more Fabio Cannavaro than Giorgio Chiellini in the fact that he’s not very physical. He’s a classy and elegant defender.

He was the only Empoli outfield player to play every minute of the last campaign and he did so without receiving a single yellow card!

It’s difficult to see him breaking into Juve’s defence next season with Leonardo Bonucci, Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Martin Caceres ahead of him in the pecking order.

Rugani was brought in to replace Angelo Ogbonna, who moved to West Ham United, as back-up.

I just hope that Juve coach Max Allegri gives him an opportunity to shine.

 

Mateo Kovacic (Inter Milan)

One of the more known players on this list, mainly due to his transfer links away from Inter - with the likes of Liverpool and Barcelona showing an interest in the Croatian.

The likelihood is that the 21-year-old will remain at Inter after his comments to the Italian media.

“I’ll stay here [Inter], I won’t move,” he said. “That’s what I wanted, that’s what my renewal until 2019 shows. There will be a long relationship between Inter and myself.

“I want to show that I deserve Inter. I want to win with this shirt. Inter is like Real Madrid or Barcelona.”

Kovacic is a modern, attacking midfielder. He doesn’t just stand in a ten-yard zone of space and wait for the ball, he often drops deep to collect it.

He moves wide to create overloads and is willing to get back behind the line of the ball in the defensive phase.

He is a wonderfully creative hub and is very calm and confident on the ball.

His distribution and defence-splitting through balls are what make him one of Europe’s hottest prospects.

 

Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo)

Berardi is a forward who is co-owned by Juventus and Sassuolo. He’s been a Sassuolo player since 2012.

He’s now spent two full seasons in Serie A. He netted 14 goals and provided nine assists last season; in 2013-14, he scored 16, with six assists.

Quite an achievement, at 20, to have 30 Serie A goals under your belt in just two seasons.

Berardi is a pacy and versatile forward. It’s been a joy to watch him in the past couple of seasons in Italy and he could prove to be a gem for the Italy national team for many years to come.

A drawback? Probably his disciplinary record. He’s received 23 yellow cards and two red in 60 Serie A appearances.

This is something he must work on and I’m sure he’ll improve with experience.

 

Mattia Perin (Genoa)

Any upcoming young Italian goalkeeper who shows glimpses of promise will probably be hailed as the next “Gigi Buffon”.

Many young keepers find this a huge label and many collapse under this sort of pressure. Thankfully for Italy, this 22-year-old Genoa stopper is not one of them.

I’m not suggesting he is the answer to Italy’s prayers once Buffon eventually retires but there is no doubt Mattia is talented.

He was the third-choice keeper behind Buffon and Salvatore Sirigu in Italy’s disastrous World Cup finals campaign in Brazil last year. He has one senior cap.

Light on his feet and blessed with exceptional reflexes, Perin is a brilliant shot-stopper with a bright future ahead of him.

 

M’Baye Niang (AC Milan)

Niang is a versatile 20-year-old French forward.

He made his debut with Milan in 2012, making 33 league appearances but failing to register any goals.

The following season he was sent out on loan to French side Montpellier and he spent the back end of last term on loan at Genoa, where he impressed with five league goals in 12 games.

Now back at Milan for next season, he’s got a great opportunity to shine under new coach Sinisa Mihajlovic.

Should he get the chance, he must take it because the Rossoneri have signed experienced forwards Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano.

 

Andrea Bertolacci (AC Milan)

Milan signed the 24-year-old midfielder from AS Roma this summer for a hefty 20 million euros.

Bertolacci impressed during his loan stint at Genoa last season, scoring seven goals and registering eight assists.

Signing Bertolacci should inject much-needed creativity into Milan’s midfield. He can play from a central or advanced position, a deeper playmaker or No.10.

He is versatile. He can be more withdrawn, more of a veiled threat, and is not afraid to shoot from afar.

 

Geoffrey Kondogbia (Inter Milan)

Kondogbia is up there with the biggest transfers in Europe this summer. The Frenchman signed for Inter from AS Monaco for around 35 million euros.

Arsenal fans may remember his solid performances for Monaco in the Champions league last season, when the French club knocked out the North London team on away goals in the Round of 16.

Kondogbia provides great protection in front of his defenders, looking to hunt down any attackers threatening to get beyond them.

A little further up the pitch, he has a good eye for stepping in and dispossessing any opponents looking to break from midfield.

As well as being strong, Kondogbia is skilful and has fine ball control. He is able to manoeuvre himself out of danger.

And while capable of taking on players, he understands the merit of a simple pass to keep his team ticking over.

A player of his type was much needed at Inter. The side conceded 48 league goals last campaign … dreadful.

 

Alessio Romagnoli (AS Roma)

Twenty-year-old Romagnoli had a tremendous campaign last season on loan at Sampdoria.

It’s uncertain where the central defender will play this upcoming season, with Milan submitting a bid of 25 million euros, which was rejected.

Arsenal are reported to be interested. Or he may well stay with Roma. Wherever he plays, watch out for him next season.

 

Worthy mentions:-

Juventus: Alvaro Morata, Paul Pogba, Kingsley Coman

Inter Milan: Mauro Icardi

AC Milan: Jose Mauri

Lazio: Ravel Morrison

Udinese: Simone Scuffet

Torino: Daniele Baselli

 

Written by Serie A Writer

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FIFA Ballon D’Or: Can you name the top 10 nominees for the award since 2000?

  By O-Posts Team | July 12, 2024 - 21:27 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Tobias Svendsen: Molde’s wonderkid is a Star in the Making

  By O-Posts Team | July 12, 2024 - 17:11 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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At 14, Tobias Svendsen had to get permission by the Norwegian FA to appear in a third tier game for Molde’s reserve team. Just a year later, he got his debut for the reigning champions in the cup.

The now 15-year-old midfielder is living in the shadow of his 17-year-old brother Sander Svendsen who has established himself in the first team, but Tobias is following not far behind.

 

QUICK FACTS:


Name: Tobias Svendsen
Date of birth: 31.08.2024 – Age: 15
Position: Midfielder
Club: Molde FK

 

Key strengths

His low centre of gravity, exquisite first touch, great understanding of the game and quick feet perfectly fits the bill for a modern central midfielder. He is very capable in small spaces, extremely difficult to get the ball off and is considered to be an aggressive midfielder with decent tackling abilities in defensive positions.

Molde manager Tor Ole Skullerud has on multiple occasions praised Tobias but he is keen to point out that they will not rush his development, especially as he is so young and has more physical growth to do.

“He has all the attributes to become a first team regular here at Molde. He is far ahead of his age in every way. It is still impossible to predict how far he will reach. Tobias has great potential but first he must get peace and quiet to develop,” Skullerud said to Norwegian press.

 

Stats

After Svendsen appeared in the 4-2 win against Rosenborg 2 at the third tier of Norwegian football over a year ago, he got a few appearances during the first team’s pre-season last winter. Then back in April 2015 he was handed his debut for the first team in the first round of the cup, a match Molde in the end won 2-0.

Considered an exceptional talent Svendsen was scouted at the age of 11 by Ajax. In fact, it was the younger of the Svendsen brothers that got the pair on the Dutch club’s radar when he was just 11, which two years later lead to his first of many trips to Amsterdam to train with the club.

For the time being Tobias is only thinking about becoming a better footballer, despite interest from Ajax. Claiming he is ‘too young’ to go professional abroad, Tobias told Norwegian press that it would be difficult to turn down an offer from Ajax ‘in a couple of years’.

“I have been abroad and seen how professional everything is, so yes, it is really tempting. I am too young to do that now, but of course it is a dream. If I receive an offer when I am 17 I would probably accept,” he said.

 

Written by Lars H. Thomesen

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Yohan Cabaye: An Incredibly Surprising and Astute Signing for Crystal Palace

  By O-Posts Team | July 10, 2024 - 17:53 | , , , , , , , , , ,
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It’s not everyday you hear Crystal Palace sign a player who was playing Champions League football just a season before. But the Premier League side have made an incredibly smart and astute signing by landing Yohan Cabaye from French champions Paris St-Germain. They have done the same for a club-record transfer fee of £10m.

Of course, it is a bit surprising. Why would Cabaye leave one of the most ambitious European side for a mid-table English club? Well, after a dream move to PSG, the Frenchman spent more time on the bench than on the pitch. He made just 13 Ligue 1 starts for the Parisian club last season and only once did he finish the match after starting it. Cabaye, who signed for PSG in the winter of 2014, but he has found chances extremely limited.

As opposed to his stint at Newcastle United, where he was one of the key players in the side and basically indispensable, he was a luxury commodity at PSG and if he wished to play next year’s Euro’s that France are hosting, he needed to play every week and impress Deschamps. Cabaye is aware that there are plenty of young Frenchman who are waiting to gobble up a spot the national squad.

There were some links with Arsenal and Liverpool at one point of time. He also attracted interest from West Ham United, who could offer the player Europa League football this season, and Roma and Atlético Madrid, who would be playing the Champions League. But it was Palace he decided to opt for.

Alan Pardew was the one of the main factors in landing the 29 year-old. Cabaye and Pardew maintained an extremely healthy relationship at Newcastle. Pardew did a fantastic job at Palace after taking over mid-season and helped the club finish in the 10th place, an incredible achievement for a side battling relegation for some time last season. The Eagles look like they’re ready to step up their game and push for a top half finish this season.

Cabaye has apparently also sought reassurances about the club’s ambition and the fact that “he will not be the only major signing this summer”. The Eagles have been linked with QPR’s Charlie Austin and Swansea’s Ashley Williams and will to step up their pursuit of the player.

Cabaye’s arrival will only help the team further. More importantly, it could prove to be detrimental in their case to persuade existing players like Bolasie and Gayle, who have been linked with a move away from the club, to stay at the club.

Cabaye is certainly the next building block for Palace, who look like an ambitious side trying to build on the success of last season and ensure it isn’t a one-off thing. It will be interesting to see who makes way for him- Joe Ledley, James McArthur, Mile Jedinak or Jason Puncheon- and it will be further interesting to see whether he operates in a more attacking role, or plays a deeper role, trying to orchestrate things from the centre of the pitch.

Cabaye has done well playing the deep-lying playmaker role, and it will probably be the way to go for Pardew who could then use the Frenchman as well as Puncheon in the same eleven.

This is definitely just a start, but Palace fans can dream about the side pushing for a European spot next season. However, more signings of the same or close to the same level need to be made for that to happen.

Stoke City have been linked with Xherdan Shaqiri while West Ham United have landed Dimitri Payet. Hence, teams in the same category, more or less, are also strengthening considerably.

Cabaye is an extremely smart investment, nonetheless, and one which can have a big impact on Crystal Palace’s future.

 

Written by Aakriti Mehrotra

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FIFA 16: Three Major Changes in the latest FIFA Installment

  By O-Posts Team | July 7, 2024 - 17:18 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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We expect big changes from the new FIFA 16 as EA has promised a better game after the failure of FIFA 15.

We do not know all the changes that EA has done to improve the game, but we know some of the major changes that we will see in the upcoming new sensation (according to EA at the E3 conference).

 

Women’s Football

Women’s Football is the one big change we are going to see in FIFA 16. EA has announced that they have added twelve women’s national teams in the game and has focused on the female gameplay to make it more accurate as possible.

This is a milestone for FIFA as well as Women’s Football. There are only a very few people who completely follow Women’s Football, but after this everyone buying the game will have a chance to explore it.

Also, it has been reported that EA are planning on making a separate FIFA game for females only from next year. It will only be a great success for the future if the initial Women’s Football in FIFA 16 is as good as the EA claims.

 

New Tactical Defense with Improved Goalkeeping

When EA initially released the first gameplay trailer we were worried that again they were only focusing on adding new features, not fixing previous errors. But then they released the second trailer suggesting they have made some serious changes in the interference engine of the game. These improvements includes a new tactical defending and a more realistic goalkeeping.

The Tactical Defending includes more animatic moves like diving clearance and triangle traps giving the video game simulation a more real life like feel. There are not much changes in goalkeeping, however they have fixed previous bugs like air ball glitch.

 

More Animations and Graphics

We have already talked about more animatic moves in previous section but that is not all there is. The developers have added new stadiums, celebrations, skill moves, interactive crowds, and many other new graphics and animations to make the game compatible with the new interactive engine.

Other graphics includes new menus and modes, which have not been revealed yet.

 

Written by Charchit Dahal

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Kristoffer Ajer: The hottest talent in Norway right now

  By O-Posts Team | June 25, 2024 - 15:21 | , , , , , , , ,
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At only 17, IK Start midfielder Kristoffer Ajer has attracted interest from some of the biggest clubs in England. Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham have all shown interest in the 1,96m tall Norwegian youngster – and a move to the Premier League might be on the cards this summer.

 

QUICK FACTS:

Name: Kristoffer Ajer
Age: 17
Position: Midfielder
Club: IK Start

The Norwegian press have already called for him to become 2015’s version of Martin Ødegaard by taking the next step and become a regular for Norway’s international team – something Ødegaard managed last year at the age of only 15. Now the latter plays at Real Madrid alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

 

Key strengths

What makes Ajer special is the fact that he is different. Talented midfielders today are often described to be fairly short, very skilful and have quick feet - like Andres Iniesta at Barcelona or David Silva at Manchester City. Among Ajer’s key features are his height and physique, much like his biggest idol Patrick Vieira.

The similarities between the two are incredible, as Ajer has adopted Vieira’s drive with the ball and ability to read and control a game, even at young age at the highest level in Norway.

Despite being too young to watch Vieira in his prime, Ajer has spent hours on YouTube watching clips of his French idol, who retired in 2011 after a successful career at top clubs across Europe like Arsenal, Juventus, Inter and Manchester City.

 

Stats

Ajer got his debut in July 2014, at only 16 years and 93 days. A couple of months later he became the third youngest goalscorer in Tippeligaen history, and he ended the 2014 season with 604 minutes on the pitch.

His development continued throughout the winter break and the first half of the current season. Ajer has been involved every game this season, starting 12 of the 13 league matches so far.

The 17-year-old has scored four goals and been one of the best youngsters in Tippeligaen this season.

 

Interested clubs

In early May Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and German club Hertha Berlin sent scouts to Norway to watch Ajer play for Start away to Rosenborg. Start lost 2-3, but Ajer impressed in his attacking midfielder position by scoring Start’s second goal of the game.

Also Roma has shown interest in Ajer, and invited him to the Italian capital for a week earlier in 2015. The visit impressed Ajer, but he revealed to Norwegian press that his dream is to play in England for his favourite club Liverpool.

“My ultimate dream is to enter the pitch against Manchester United and hear the fans sing You’ll Never Walk Alone before kick off,” he said in March.

With Liverpool already interested, who knows what can happen in the summer transfer window?

 

Written by Lars H. Thomesen

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Kostas Manolas: Greece’s defensive star adapting seamlessly to the rigours of Serie A

  By O-Posts Team | June 19, 2024 - 19:11 | , , , , , , , ,
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Name: Kostas Manolas

Position: Centre-back

Age: 24

Country: Greece

Club: AS Roma

 

A rising star of European football, Manolas made his name in Greece with AEK Athens before a controversial move to their city rivals Olympiacos (his uncle Stelios Manolas was an AEK legend).

After a series of eye-catching performances with the Greek giants saw him linked with a number of big-name European suitors, Manolas made the 23-man Greece squad for the 2014 World Cup.

It was in Brazil where the centre-back really caught the attention of the watching world, with a string of imperious displays that carried Greece into the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time in its history.

AS Roma promptly snapped up the towering defender for a reported €15 million fee and Manolas has adjusted well during his first season in Serie A, making 30 starts for the Giallorossi in the league and starting all six of their UEFA Champions League matches.

The most impressive feature of Manolas’ development as a footballer is arguably off the field, where he has developed into a natural leader at his new club despite being only 24.

An uncompromising central defender who blends physicality with an increasingly effective passing game, Manolas’ speciality remains in one-on-one situations, where his physique and aggression serve him particularly well.

He is also a deceptively quick footballer, given his size, able to sweep up behind a high-line but also having the versatility and discipline to play deeper.

In a way, Manolas is a blend of the old-fashioned centre-half and the new-age ball-playing defender, which should make him an appealing prospect to bigger clubs ahead of the 2015-16 season.

Having made a seamless transition from the Greek domestic scene to a Champions League club, the Greece international has a bright future ahead of him.

 

Written by Chris Paraskevas

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Marcelo Meli: Boca’s rising midfielder flourishing with veteran Gago by his side

  By O-Posts Team | June 18, 2024 - 23:05 | , , , , , , ,
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Name: Marcelo Meli
Club: Boca Juniors
Date of Birth: 20th June 1992
Position: Central midfield

Who is he?

Much like Jonathan Calleri, Cesar Marcelo Meli was snapped up by Boca Juniors in the aftermath of being relegated with their former clubs at the end of the Torneo Final 2014 and has since seen their reputation and their value grow exponentially in La Bombonera. With Boca Juniors’ ambitious transfer plans in this window there is a chance that they will need to cash in on these assets and so Meli could be en route to Europe.

Meli hails from the small city of Salto in the north of the Buenos Aires province and although his initial footballing education took place at Club Sports Salto he was soon moving a little further north to play in the youth divisions of Rosario based side, Club Atletico Jorge Griffa. From here, his journey continued along the Rio Parana to Colon de Santa Fe in 2011 and it did not take long for young Meli to catch the eye.

After a string of impressive performances in the reserves, Meli was quickly brought into the first team by Roberto Sensini and made his debut away to Independiente towards the end of the 2012 Inicial.

Gradually Meli grew into one of Colon’s key players and alongside Ezequiel Videla in central midfield the two stood out in spite of the club’s struggles. The 2014 ultimately ended in failure and after relegation was confirmed, a tearful Meli said: “We did everything possible and we failed. It is an incredible sadness.”

The Primera sides had seen enough and as Videla departed for Racing, Boca moved swiftly for Meli. Colon received $750,000 for 50% ownership of Meli and sent talented youngster Cristian Pavon on loan to Santa Fe as part of the deal but initially under Carlos Bianchi, Meli struggled to hold down a first team place in La Bombonera.

Since Rodolfo Arruabarrena arrived as Boca coach, Meli has seen his status improve and he has established himself as a key part of the midfield. Meli’s boundless energy provides a good balance alongside Fernando Gago and Boca have enjoyed something of a renaissance.

Their Libertadores challenge unfortunately ended in controversy when they were kicked out as a result of crowd trouble but they remain very much in the mix for the Primera title.

What type of player?

Meli is a box-to-box central midfielder and his tireless running has been well complimented by veteran Fernando Gago playing in the number five role. While Gago can operate in front of the defence and look for passes, Meli’s dynamism in the centre can provide an outlet and help in linking the midfield to the attack.

A busy midfielder, Meli is something of an all-rounder, who tracks back and tackles on the edge of his own penalty area but enjoys breaking forward from deep to join the attack.

His range of passing is perhaps something that could be improved as is his protection of the ball and knowing when to maintain possession, but this season the 22-year-old has added an increased goal threat to his game.

A match-winning brace away to Huracan gave Boca a valuable three points as they find themselves just a point off the league leaders at the half way point.

What next?

That may well depend on Boca and with such ambitious and expensive transfer plans, Meli may well be sacrificed. Bringing Carlos Tevez back to La Bombonera or renewing a deal for Daniel Osvaldo will not come cheap and Argentina is certainly not swimming in cash.

In Marcelo Meli, Boca have a 22-year-old midfielder, who was bought for a comparatively low fee and would represent a considerable profit if they were to hawk him to interested European clubs.

The likes of Benfica, AC Milan, Roma and Valencia have all made tentative approaches to Boca over the past year according to the press and if it were obvious he was available they would likely be joined by more.

 

Written by Peter Coates

Follow Peter on Twitter @golazoargentino

You can check out more of his excellent work on Argentinian football through his website, Golazo Argentino

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