Re: Afonso Alves Then we can use that excuse with Luis Fabiano, Vagner Love, Robinho, etc. Luis Fabiano got ripped on by a few people because he didn't show up in the last friendly. And benni, it may not be enough for someone mediocre like Afonso, but it would be plenty for anyone good enough. Pato scored in his first game as a pro. Adriano didn't take long enough to shine. Luis Fabiano scored twice vs Uruguay with his chance. Afonso had opportunities to score goals in those "limited" appearances and he didn't come through.
Re: Afonso Alves You are just being unfair. Honestly, look at what he did with half decent service, in that match? Against Chelsea he came close to scoring, hitting the cross bar 3 times in the match. Thats just unlucky, he just needs to get settled in a team, give him more time before you close the book on his case.
Re: Afonso Alves I don't see him doing well under pressure that any players on the Seleção gets. I'd like to see how he performs on a bigger team. Didn't Liverpool make a bid for him? He's played on small to mid (if you call Boro a mid) clubs his whole career.
Re: Afonso Alves Vagner Love is crap, so let's not mention him. Robinho is always given a lot of time to work. Luis Fabiano played in a much better Brazil then Afonso. I didn't even watch the guy at Herenveen, but I can't judge him a failure based on the few minutes he played with the yellow shirt. Specially because he was always supported by a poor midfield of players like Julio Baptista, Mineiro, Gilberto Silva and Josue.
Re: Afonso Alves This guy is a clinical finisher, watch the game versus Man Utd. He was very good imvho MOM
Against a poor, poor side that is managerless (bye Sven), was down to 10 men (possibly bye Europe) and missing their first choice central defenders (bye Richards and Dunne).
I dont get it, Alves played for my team in Sweden and didnt score that many goals, and suddenly he skyrocketed in europe. Maybe the swedish league isnt so bad afterall.
Strange indeed. In Sweden he scored 52 goals in 95 games In the Netherlands he scored 45 goals in 39 games In England he scored 6 goals in 11 games
yeah i know, strange times. The swedish league is suppose to be pretty bad. 52 goals in 95 games is nothing special. Then he went on to break ronaldo's record in holland, and also scoring 7 goals in one game...crazy crazy.
It was a stunning freekick as well. He's starting to be more consistant in England, and is looking good. But Dunga is not smart enough to call him up, and will continue to call up Sobis, and Love.
At this point, Afonso would only be useful for his FK ability since RG hasn't hit one since a year or so ago. I continue to believe there are more qualified strikers who should be called up than AA.
The guys is stronger than most other Brazilian forwards. The ones that are close to being as strong as him [that I know] are not as good as him [and in Jo's case, not yet]. His movement, his overall play is apparent. He's just not hit the back of the net at that alarming rate that he did in Holland. But then again, he is playing for Middlebrough, with only Tuncay and Stewart donwing as players close to his quality or good enough to give him good service. Who should be given a chance over Alves? Surely not Adriano.
Why not Adriano? What he has done at SPFC this year merits him a call-up. I wouldn't call him up at this point because I want to see how he will do at Inter. I'd call up Amauri over AA. I don't think Afonso's service is what has affected his goal rate. It is the difference of quality between the leagues in my opinion. The Dutch league is what it once was in the 90's. PSV is pretty much the whole league. Ajax has taken quite a drop.
I feel if you had a chance to watch him for 90 minutes you will see why I havnt given up on him. He's a baller. As for Adriano... I watched his matches. I still have a couple to get through all from his loan stint, but even though he scored, his overall play was definately not above average. His physical advantage is the main reason why he still has a chance. Teams need that type of dominant presence upfront. Amauri is fair, I did forget about him since the rumours about Italy trying to tempt him, and the number of BRazilians playing for other countries.
All of them has to prove more, especially Afonso and Amauri since they are not established selecao players and not exactly young anymore. To me Amauri needs to show a more regular goalscoring ability to really become a contender. Also Adriano should show that he can last a whole season without going down. Afonso has shown he can do at least one season but also has to show he can do it in the big leagues. Jô is in a better seat since he´s still young and potential.
great goal : http://videos.sapo.pt/mbT6ImiUULQCSbL4wMAs anyway 2 goals so far this season ,not that good...
Middlesbrough Coach has faith in Alves despite him not scoring http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/85/england/2008/12/02/993087/boro-boss-southgate-backs-striker-alves