If you can't get Ronaldinho, go after Alex from Cruzeiro

[MIGkiller]

Here's a tip from a friend, lads. If the Ronaldinho bid indeed fails, look foward Alex from Cruzeiro. He's been the best player of the Brasileirão, with similar characteristics of Ronaldinho, very skilled and a natural scorer. Plus he doesn't have the inexperience of a Robinho or Diego. If you had the oportunity to check him in the Confederations Cup (in the few time he played thanks to the stupid Brazil coach Parreira) you can see he is the next big thing from Brazil in the short run.

[trmbrasil]

I agree that Alex could play for any team, and he would be much less expensive than Ronaldinho (though in all seriousness, I doubt Alex is even close to work permit qualifications). Yet, how likely do you think it is that Alex will leave Cruzeiro this year, since they just sold Deivid today to Bordeaux, for $5.1mil! You would think the league leaders would want to hold onto a few stars.

http://placar.abril.uol.com.br/aberto/clubes/meiocampo/072003/072003_203402.shtml

Or..Maybe the thinking in Belo Horizonte is that Luxemburgo is going to jail, so they should sell the team despite their success so far this year?

I'm sure ManU has plenty of scouting research at their fingertips to rebound from not getting R Gaucho.

[billyireland]

How is it determined whether you get a work permit or not if you are not an EU citizen?

[trmbrasil]

Originally posted by billyireland
How is it determined whether you get a work permit or not if you are not an EU citizen?

I believe you have to have played in 70% of National Team games over the previous two years (with probably a few other caveats about A games, etc..). Don't think Alex is even close at this point.

[DutchFootballRulez]

yes 70 or 75%. Alex is great but I have questions about his height. Alex and Deivid look almost like twin brothers with the bald cut. Alex shoulda been on the Gold Cup squad but I guess Cruziero said no.

[Brunssen]

Originally posted by DutchFootballRulez
yes 70 or 75%. Alex is great but I have questions about his height. Alex and Deivid look almost like twin brothers with the bald cut. Alex shoulda been on the Gold Cup squad but I guess Cruziero said no.



Alex has played 45 times for brazil, scoring 17 goals.

[Brunssen]

he is also 5'8, (160 lbs) which is taller than forlan, scholes, and Solskjaer. Ronnie is just a shade under 5'10 167. i am in no way trying to condone a move, just giving facts

[Lancashire Lad]

He has to play for Uniteds team a set number of appearances a season, which I think is 12.

Sounds like he could get a permit. I also think it depends on the club on the case they use for him playing for United.

Perhaps Bobby should go and see Blunkett and sort it out, if it were to happen, surely the Home office couldnt turn Bobby down, the mans a legend.

[MathuzaLem]

Originally posted by MIGkiller
Here's a tip from a friend, lads. If the Ronaldinho bid indeed fails, look foward Alex from Cruzeiro. He's been the best player of the Brasileirão, with similar characteristics of Ronaldinho, very skilled and a natural scorer. Plus he doesn't have the inexperience of a Robinho or Diego. If you had the oportunity to check him in the Confederations Cup (in the few time he played thanks to the stupid Brazil coach Parreira) you can see he is the next big thing from Brazil in the short run.

I think Alex is a genius, despite sometimes he sleeps a little on the field...
his soccer is similar to Riquelme's... off course each one has different features, but their style are similar...

[lond2345]

they should have gone after Kaka (now milan will get him)

[MathuzaLem]

Alex still better

[DutchFootballRulez]

For some reason HDTV makes everyone look 4'11". Dammit, 5'8" is still too short! He must be Giggs height! 45 caps since when for Alex?

[johno]

Who ever we get, brazillian or not... we need to get someone who is versatile... who can play on the wing or in the middle... we should not be looking for someone to play solely in the hole because we have scholes and veron.. we need a right half though i think unless Ole is getting that role permanently then we need a striker in that case

[Achtung]

Alex is incredible from what I've seen, but supposedly Robinho is even better. Supposedly he's the next Pele, though that has been a title thrown on many a young talent. I think the performances of Forlan and Veron this season could directly affect United's desire to pursue more South Americans in the near future.

[MathuzaLem]

I'm a santos supporter and I can tell you that actually alex is playing better that any brazilian player...

well about robinho, he sure have talent, but he is like denilson, more a show player than anything...

diego is hundred times better than robinho...

robinho has to be more objective, look for the goal more often, not just dribbling around...

[Lancashire Lad]

Perhaps we should send SAF a video of Alex. What do you think? I gues we will not get him and a Spanish or Italian team will get him, or worse Arsenal!

[MathuzaLem]

once parma bought him, but they hadn't used him, 'cause they already had more foreign players...

poor parma!

the way he is playing he will head to europe soon!

[Lancashire Lad]

The Sunday Times says United signed a 16 year old Brazilian prodigy. Carlos Eduardo de Castro Lourenco will be placed at San Paulo until he is 18, then go to Sportin Lisbon so he can get used to European football. Anyone know anything about this?

There are other players but not Brazilian.

[MathuzaLem]

never head of him...
united bought him from who?

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally posted by MathuzaLem
never head of him...
united bought him from who?

The Sunday Times article dosent say. United have also signed Jonathan Spector from Chicago Sockers which should make our American friends happy.