My dad gets the O Jogo paper and on Saturdays there is a special insert, a revista simply called J. Anyways, I was reading issue #40 and there was an article regarding the Sporting captains armband. The last few years have been hellish times for the captain. To wit: Custódio, the current captain, will soon be officially an ex-captain once his deal to Dinamo Moscow has been finalized. Prior to him, there has been Sá Pinto, who left for Standard de Liège when Sporting was unwilling to extend him a contract (after he had said that he was retiring after the 05/06 season, mind you). Sá Pinto took over from Beto, who as we all know got into a dust-up with Custódio in a training session, lost his starting role, and soon left for Bordeaux (he's now with Recreativo Huelva in Spain). Beto took over from Pedro Barbosa, whom Sporting did not sign after the 2004/05 season as the coach at that time, José Peseiro, thought that having Wender from Braga was a better choice Anyways, Barbosa held onto the captains armband for sometime, taking over from Iordanov, who finished his career after the 00/01 season and left under acrimonious circumstances - he wanted a testimonial match, the club agreed, and never gave him a portion of the gat (they are still in court over the issue). Iordanov took over the captain's armband from another charismatic yet controversial player, Oceano. He, too, wanted to extend a contract with Sporting beyond the 97/98 season, but the club had no interest in that. He left to join Toulouse in France for a season long swan song. I would propose that no-one get the captain's armband, but unfortunately that isn't going to happen. Therefore, all I can hope for is that neither one of João Moutinho or Miguel Veloso get the armband on a full-time role. The most logical choice would be for Ricardo to assume it, given that his departure from the club in the next year or so is rather imminent. Any thoughts?
Hmm, nice post. I know we had some problems with out captains but I think the previous captains were a good choice, like Sa Pinto (the best captain in my opinion), Beto as well, Oceano, ... Custodio was just a bad choice. I would like to see Joao Moutinho as captain, but he probably won't stay a long time at sporting so I would prefer another player, Ricardo would be my choice, he is a leader for the younger players and is an experienced player... Other than him I don't know who to pick, maybe Anderson Polga as third choice
Why?, Let him have it. All those crosses, and corners are taking a effect on my heart condition. IMO Ricardo Patricio has the abilities to be one of Portugal's best goalies ever. Even if doesn't win as many titles as Baliza sitting on the bench.
Very interesting post, Forca ... but I find in the world of football, it's hard to find any player who leaves his club on good terms. Even when it's done in a professional manner, you could always say "the team chose not to sign" or "the club decided to sell ..." That being said, I am superstitous so hand the 'band to Ricardo!
Yeah...Ricardo becomes the captain, and hes gone. Now its Moutinhos turn I'm already prepared for seeing "MOUTINHO OFF TO ______ for ___EUROS" then, its Polgas turn.
I told you guys - it's cursed! Let's hope that if it comes down to Polga and Moutinho to have the armband, that Polga gets it
Damn, if it really is true we'll have to go on a quest to break the damn curse ... And I am starting to believe it, I wouldn't like to loose Moutinho or Polga, their just so important for Sporting... Just give it to Paredes, then Farnerud and if they both go, just get a crappy player and give it to him.
The saga continues...not sure if its true or not but.. http://www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=755855&idCanal=24 Moutinho to Valencia?
Only by your standards, obviously your club didn't even want him, yet your starting 2 SCP rejects. That really says alot for him. The kid just wanted to get as far away from Seixal as possible. Lets just say Valencia took the cheap way out, because if they wanted Moutinho they would have to dish out 30 million.
Manuel Fernandes is stronger, faster, has better technique and shot.. and although doesnt work as hard hes better in the all round game. manelele has been u21s best midfielder ahead of moutinho as well im not saying moutinho is bad..he rocks! but manelele has potential to be a more effective player. moutinho..i hope he doesnt feel the pressure of captain and let it affect his game..but i have doubts how he can deal with hids size..vs serbia was pefect example..he was just bullied out of the game and did nothing.
Plenty of players of his stature have had fabulous careers...including the great Maradona and Gianfranco Zola...now I am not comparing him to these great players just yet, just showing you that "short" players can acheive great things.
lol No club will ever "dish out" 30 million for Moutinho because, a) He's not worth it b) As pointed out, there are players at least as good for much lower prices c) If anyone was looking at Sporting for midfielders in that price range right now, they'd be looking at Miguel Veloso
The reason is Miguel a quality player that he is, is not at true mid, but a role player. Moutinho however has played center attacking, center defending, right-mid, and left-mid. Can your cigano do that? NO BTW cigano is a one demensional player, HE HAS NO LEFT FOOT.
Veloso, even if he's not a true mid as you say, is already better than Moutinho, IMO. The best thing that anyone can say about Moutinho is that he is a hard worker, well disciplined player. And that is very good, no doubt. But 30 million good? No way. lol, there you go again. What does Quaresma have to do with this? Can Moutinho do what Quaresma does with his right foot?
As someone has stated, I also do not believe that Moutinho will ever be sold for 30 million euros. I could see someone asking 15 Million for him, but thats where it max's out in my opinion.
Big players make game winning plays in the Champions League Lets look at Moutinho's and Quaresma credentials.....
Didn't everyone also say that SCP wouldn't get over 20 Million for Nani? Guess they were wrong about that? By the way SCP just signed Rabiu Ibrahim til 2012. 16 Year old Nigerian International who was named the best player at the U17 World Cup.
I thought the Nani asking price was going to be met, not exceeded by met. On the Nigerian, thats a good move for both factions, the kid probably knows what the Sporting Academy is worth.
With the JMoutinho debacle , I remember this thread. Here we go again. Good articles on the group of leaders within the squad btw: http://www.ojogo.pt/24-160/artigo737332.asp and this one too: http://www.ojogo.pt/24-160/artigo737336.asp