After starting the season very productively for the Magpies, Hugo Viana has lately been relegated to the role of a late game substitute. He had some very interesting comments yesterday to the assembled media in Turin, Italy after Newcastle’s latest defeat. http://www.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=112586&cpid=8&title=Viana+admits+Italian+dream"/>
It doesn't matter anyway, he'll be gone from newcastle in no time. Why Robson paid 9 million pounds just to keep him on the bench is beyond me. let's just hope this won't stunt his development as a player.
I would not worry about Hugo. There are a couple of things going on and neither are related to his present abilities, future development and/or fit with the team. 1. Robson is taking a conservative approach with Viana. While Viana saw a lot of action in the pre- and early season, a couple of regulars/veterans have returned to the lineup and assumed their positions. To his credit, Robson is getting Hugo playing time in every game. 2. He has had to play out of position on the wing and in a holding position. He is a central midfielder. Anyone who watched the Portugal-England game saw what an influence he had on the game from the center of the pitch. While he has played well on the wing, his position in central midfield. Hugo has already proved that he can play at a high level in the EPL. Many NUFC fans are calling for him to see more action. He has to realize that this is not Sporting, and his spot is not guaranteed. He would not necessarily have a better situation at Juventus. I fully expect him to have a major impact by the end of the season. Unfortunately, it is not going to happen on his time schedule. Anyway, last I checked, Newcastle has been struggling domestically and in Europe. It may be high time to get him more involved in the plans. This will make him a better player over time.
Of course, that is precisely why I think Viana made a mistake in going to Newcastle, they already have an established central midfielder, and Robson hasn't shown any desire to play Hugo in his natural position even as a substitute. Which leads me to believe that as long as Kyeron Dyer is around (which he will be, seeing how he is still young and more importantly, English) Viana has no future at Newcastle.
Well, I wouldn't characterize his move to Newcastle as a mistake after just a couple of months. Dyer may not be at NUFC for long. For precisely the reasons you list, he is a valuable commodity, and it is not unreasonable to think that one of the big Spanish or Italian clubs could come knocking on his door. Does Dyer even play central midfield for England when Gerrard is in the lineup?
Article on Hugo: http://www.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=113268&cpid=8&title=Hugo+happy+on+Tyneside
This all has to do with players listening to agents and thinking only of money and not wanting to learn how to be professionals.
I agree that is part of it. I am sure he is just getting a little frustrated with his lack of playing time, too. In the span of slightly more than a year, this kid has literally come out of nowhere and turned himself into one of the best young prospects in Europe. After that kind of trajectory, it is easy to see why he may be a little down with his present role. It will all work out. By the end of the season, he will be playing a big role for the Magpies.
Sporting does well by locking up their youngsters into lengthy contracts. I would hope they would not think of immediate gratification by selling Ronaldo and Quaresma. I would like to see some significant success in a Euro Cup with the help of this youth. Boloni does a fine job of bringing them along, I would just wish that SAD would see that revenue can be generated with a prolonged stay in the CL and not just selling off their Talent. Ajax did that in the late nineties and it took them awhile to get back to the CL. Just think of the players: Figo-Boa Morte-Jose Dominguez-Vidigal-Sabrosa-Hugo Viana-Duscher The list keeps getting bigger and bigger. Look at the new crop Quaresma-Ronaldo-Martins Who has the best youth system, need we ask?
Hugo Viana Viana should have known he was going to be stuck on the bench for awhile. He should have stayed with Sporting for a couple years, establish himself in the SuperLiga (why do they keep changing the damn name?) THEN he could go to a big foreign club and likely start right away, all the while Sporting collects a much larger transfer fee. Now theres talk that C. Ronaldo, who's only 17, could go to Man Utd. and warm the bench there. Maybe next year Sporting will sell some 15 year old kid to Arsenal or something.
In this article, Viana says that he is not happy with his situation at Newcastle, but he is glad he signed with the club and is confident he will get his opportunity. http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/futb/...685&mf_club=0&num_jog=0&p_sondagem=0&p_voto=0