Road to Russia (Rumo à Rússia) 2018

Right Fullback situation

We are coming into a really ridiculous age quality RBs, just want to touch on a few selection issues on the horizon.

If Nelson Semedo locks down the RB position at Barcelona does this put a lot of pressure on Cedric?

People's thoughts on this

As a Benfiqusita I'm annoyed at losing a great player but firstly I think Cedric has been so solid at RB and I'm not so sure Semedo is a massive upgrade.

I actually believe that Ricardo Pareira has been the best Portuguese RB over the last 2 seasons and IMO should be in the 23.

Then we have the most talented of the lot about to sign for Juventus, Joao Cancelo. I think this guy can be the best RB in world football but seems to have one amazing game followed by an absolute shocker. At Juventus they may be able to turn this diamond in the rough into something special.

Lastly Diogo Dalot seems to be a fabulous player. I actually have never seen him have a bad game, too bad he will have plenty ahead of him in the pecking order.

Bruno Gaspar is a solid player with that under the radar quality I like in a player still leading his trade.

Anyhow RB is serviced well, if only some of these blokes were CBs.

 

Mario Rui deserves a chance, Napoli and Roma both wanted him for the forthcoming season and he is in a similar vein to Cedric. Really solid and reliable

 

Call ups for the WCQs against Faroe Islands and Hungary.

Guarda-redes: Rui Patrício (Sporting), Beto (Gozpete), Bruno Varela (Benfica)

Defesas: Fábio Coentrão (Sporting), João Cancelo (Inter), Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cédric Soares (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), José Fonte (West Ham) e Pepe (Besiktas).

Médios: William Carvalho (Sporting), Adrien (Sporting), André Gomes (Barcelona), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto), João Mário (Inter), João Moutinho (Mónaco), Pizzi (Benfica) Bruma (RB Leipzig), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Gelson Martins (Sporting) Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).

Avançados: André Silva (Milan), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) e Nélson Oliveira (Norwich).


Looks like Nani's days with the Seleccao may be numbered.

 

I want to see a Danilo-Pepe CB pairing. Imagine how much slower Fonte and Alves will be next year.

 

Coentrao getting better each game, I just hope he doesn't pick up an injury in these games.

Our depth at RB is scary now, when we can afford to not call up Nelson Semedo & Ricardo Pereira.

Funny how William is "injured" yet was called up. That being said, considering lack of depth in central defense, I wonder if William or Danilo can be adapted to play CB with Pepe?

Only a matter of time until Bruno Fernandes gets a call-up, just a question of who gets cut (Andre Gomes?)

 

Yea don't get the Oliveira and Andre Gomes call-up.

 

Interesting call up, excited to see that he called Bruma up. Not quite sure about the point in 3 centre backs though, I would have probably had Pizzi out for Semedo.

A little surprised about not including Nelson Semedo as he was fantastic in Barcelona's first game of the season and should be starting the next game and potentially lock down that starting spot for good. Going to be a very tough choice on who to bring to the World Cup of the three. I can't say who I would choose, I guess we have to wait to see how they all do this season.

Nani is injured but really he should be relegated to the bench when called up which looks like will be the case.

Coentrao is great news to see him fit and back with the national team. Having him and Raphael fit would be great for the World Cup.

What's up with Athony Lopes? He is healthy, not quite sure what that's about, maybe Santos is sour about him missing the confederation cup due to family reasons.

For these qualifiers I would like to see in the first game:

Cedric Pepe Fonte Coentrao

Carvalho

Bernardo Joao Mario Gelson

Silva Ronaldo

And then in the second game replace Gelson for Gomes, I know a lot of people don't like him but having his size in the midfield will help versus tougher opponents.

 

All i am going to say is WOWWWWW... this brings a smile to my face. The depth in this National side has never been so golden.

I am happy to see Fabio Coentrao back, and truthfully prefer him (when healthy) over Guerreiro as Rapa's presence in the Borussia midfield has hurt his progression defensively in my opinion.

Props to Santos for including Bruma in the squad.

Seriously though? the depth!!! look at some of these names that do not have a spot in the starting 11.....

In regards to formation... likely to see:

-------------------------Patricio
-Cedric-----------Pepe--------Fonte------Coentrao
--------------------------William
-Bernardo---------Joao Mario-------------Gomes
---------------Ronaldo-------Andre Silva


What i would like to see be tried out:

-----------------------Patricio
---Cedric-----Pepe-----------Danilo---Coentrao
------------------------William
--B.Silva-----------Joao Mario--------Martins
---------------A.Silva------Ronaldo

 

Semedo would be suspended I presume

 

Joao Moutinho lol really?

 

Semedo suspended, will be interesting to see which 2 of the 4 (Cancelo/Cedric/Nelson Semedo/Ricardo) Santos calls when all 4 are available.

Andre Gomes is just laughable, Bruno Fernandes needs to be there based on his start to the season.

With only 3 CB's called hopefully Danilo is being a sought after solution to partner Pepe vs top teams.

Not calling Anthony Lopes is just stupid, him missing the confederations cup for personal reasons has been taken personally by Santos himself.

Nani shouldnt be called ever again, Bruma gets his much deserved callup

 

We are making assumptions on why Anthony Lopes was not called... unless i missed something that stated factually why he wasnt called?

If our assumptions are correct... i agree.. it isnt a smart move to leave him off the team for that reason. It kind of reminds me of something Bento would have done.

Still confused about the Nelson Oliveira/Andre Gomes/Joao Moutinho call ups.

 

Can someone tell me what Coentrao has done to deserve a call up??????????

 

Played well at Sporting and is getting better game by game as he increases match fitness?

I think it might have something to do with that

 

Cut back smoking from 2 packs to one pack a day.

 

Raphael guerreiro is injured and Eliseu sucks

Coentrao is playing well last couple games

 

We must be watching different games.

 

I'd like to add that he only drinks and drives on the weekend and only cheats on his taxes once a month.

 

Zero

Santos is contradicting himself, in one hand he doesn't pick Sanchez because he doesn't play, and on the other picks Coentrao who has played a handful of full game sin the last couple of years. He's unfit and he admitted it himself

 

You don't play on a Jorge Jesus starting 11 if you are unfit.