Who is he? Where does he play?
Bernard Anicio Caldeira Duarte- known lazily as Bernard, is a 20 year old attacking midfielder who plays in Brazil with Atletico Mineiro. He is a tiny 5ft 4 inches, but there has been no trouble in noticing his talents, as he becomes coveted by many clubs around Europe.
Aww... he sounds so tiny!
And you sound so patronising! He has experienced problems over his height before, being rejected twice by Mineiro as a teenager and called-back once the directors realised the errors of their ways. He had to receive Lionel Messi-style growth hormone to treat his small size as a child, but similarly to the Argentine, it has not held him back as he has helped Mineiro to a 2nd place finish in the Brasilierao as well as 2 State Championships.
He's been playing well then?
So well that he won the "Revelation of the 2012 Brasilierao" award for best newcomer as well as the Superclasico De Las Americas with Brazil, with whom he already has 3 caps. Combining an quick burst of pace with sublime dribbling skills, Bernard offers his own brand of technical flair to Mineiro's front-line together with Ronaldinho, Jo and Diego Tardelli. It is no surprise to see Mineiro going so well in the Copa Libertadores, having reached the semi-finals.
And Bernard is playing a huge role?
He is, starting mostly on the left-side of the attack, he is often seen drifting across the fluent front 3 like a troublesome rogue, using a deft touch and close control to link play up in the final third, creating chances with a fine pass, or showing an eye for goal with 20 goals coming from 94 appearances with Mineiro. What he lacks in physical presence, he makes up for with tenacious pressing, refusing to shy away from imposing defenders who he glides past with guile and gifted quick-feet. Bernard's reading of the game and intelligence is surprisingly impressive for a youngster, showing an ability to find space to receive the ball in threatening positions and to also track his man when doing his defensive work, coaches will be highly fond of his diligence off the ball.
You mentioned he was being tracked by a few clubs?
Spartak Moscow saw a £9.8 million bid rejected back in December whilst Borussia Dortmund are also said to be interested in the Brazilian youngster as they seek to replace Mario Gotze. However, it is Spurs who are said to be leading the race for the left-sided attacker as they have been long-term admirers. Mineiro are said to be after £15 million for Bernard, who has realistic ambitions of making Brazil's World Cup squad for next summer.
Not sold: we have a couple of videos for you.......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F63qQ0nsHk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb05QPFhqp4
Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brazil. Show all posts
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
LEONARDO BITTENCOURT
Who is he? Where does he play?
He is another Borussia Dortmund talent to get excited about as, together with Moritz Leitner, he has been billed to become the next big thing at the German club who have harnessed the talents of Mario Gotze, Ilkay Gundogan and Marco Reus. However, Bittencourt won't make his breakthrough at Dortmund, instead choosing to join Hannover 96.
Don't they give talent a chance at Dortmund?
As I've mentioned, of course they do, but Bittencourt joined them from Energie Cottbus last year in the search of first team football, though with the form of Dortmund's Champions League finalists being so good, Jurgen Klopp has struggled to fit him in, limiting him to 12 appearances in the 2nd team with just 5 in the first team. So, he's gone back on his word and is off to Hannover for 4 million euros.
What will Hannover get from him then?
Bittencourt is a natural left-winger who can operate with both feet, using his intelligence to run into pockets of space in the final third. Standing at just 5ft 7, he is another in the mould of the sublimely gifted short player who take advantage of fine balance to move away from defenders. The 19 year old is also hugely ambitious, refusing to settle for a fringe role at Dortmund and following in the footsteps of 20 year old Andre Hoffman after his move from Duisburg. "He is the best piece of evidence showing young players can find their place in the Hannover team", said Bittencourt.
Hannover and everyone are happy then?
Sporting Dirk Dufner is after they signed somebody who "possess all the skills and talents to become a reinforcement for our team".
Borussia Dortmund are after they inserted a buy-back clause in the youngster's contract.
Whilst coach Mirko Slomka definitely is after he signed a "fast, good-dribbling" player.
Bittencourt also is after he said "I have a good feeling that Hanover are now just the right stage for me".
Everybody's happy.
Anything else we should be aware of?
The player is now at German under-20 level after earning 5 caps for the under-17s, though he could still choose to represent Brazil as he holds duel nationality, owing to his Dad, Franklin Bittencourt, the ex-Brazilian pro who now coaches in Germany. Apart from that, he has signed a 4 year deal in Hannover, seeing him in Lower Saxony until 2017.
Anything else? No... watch this then....
He is another Borussia Dortmund talent to get excited about as, together with Moritz Leitner, he has been billed to become the next big thing at the German club who have harnessed the talents of Mario Gotze, Ilkay Gundogan and Marco Reus. However, Bittencourt won't make his breakthrough at Dortmund, instead choosing to join Hannover 96.
Don't they give talent a chance at Dortmund?
As I've mentioned, of course they do, but Bittencourt joined them from Energie Cottbus last year in the search of first team football, though with the form of Dortmund's Champions League finalists being so good, Jurgen Klopp has struggled to fit him in, limiting him to 12 appearances in the 2nd team with just 5 in the first team. So, he's gone back on his word and is off to Hannover for 4 million euros.
What will Hannover get from him then?
Bittencourt is a natural left-winger who can operate with both feet, using his intelligence to run into pockets of space in the final third. Standing at just 5ft 7, he is another in the mould of the sublimely gifted short player who take advantage of fine balance to move away from defenders. The 19 year old is also hugely ambitious, refusing to settle for a fringe role at Dortmund and following in the footsteps of 20 year old Andre Hoffman after his move from Duisburg. "He is the best piece of evidence showing young players can find their place in the Hannover team", said Bittencourt.
Hannover and everyone are happy then?
Sporting Dirk Dufner is after they signed somebody who "possess all the skills and talents to become a reinforcement for our team".
Borussia Dortmund are after they inserted a buy-back clause in the youngster's contract.
Whilst coach Mirko Slomka definitely is after he signed a "fast, good-dribbling" player.
Bittencourt also is after he said "I have a good feeling that Hanover are now just the right stage for me".
Everybody's happy.
Anything else we should be aware of?
The player is now at German under-20 level after earning 5 caps for the under-17s, though he could still choose to represent Brazil as he holds duel nationality, owing to his Dad, Franklin Bittencourt, the ex-Brazilian pro who now coaches in Germany. Apart from that, he has signed a 4 year deal in Hannover, seeing him in Lower Saxony until 2017.
Anything else? No... watch this then....
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
NEYMAR
Who is he? Where does he play?
Like he needs any introduction, despite never playing domestic football outside of his native Brazil. He is Santos's wonderfully talented attacking midfielder/ winger/ second striker/ attacking genius. Be prepared to get the balloons and cakes out as today is his birthday, he's 21!!! YAY!
Congratulations to him! So, he's pretty good then?
He is. The Paulista is not the most of accessible of competitions so not many European observers would have seen regularly the brilliance that sees the skunk-haired magician adorn so many Ballon D'or lists or be a perennial competitor for FIFA Goal of the Year gongs and such. He has won 3 straight Campeanatos with Santos and has a list of honours as long as your arm, you can read them on wiki.
I wanna see more of him!
Well you can this Wednesday as he is expected to take the field for Brazil as they face England at Wembley, whilst many long-term thinkers will be salivating at the thought of Neymar gracing his home World Cup next year as he attempts to prove he is worth the hype, something that Barcelona have already reportedly bought into. The Catalan club have apparently agreed a deal with Santos that will see Neymar join Messi and co. in a heavenly-type XI in 2014.
What can we expect from him then?
Supreme confidence first of all, that allows him to run at defenders and twist them inside out like they've been placed in a mangle. He has a wonderfully low sense of gravity that enables him to turn away from markers as quickly as a flash, so expect him to be hacked at by the English defenders who will have their hands well and truly full. He can finish with ruthlessness as he uses his pace to spring away from the shoulder of the back-line but he seems to be far better dropping off between the lines to link the play with outrageous touches and passes.
Just think of Neymar as all the qualities expected of an attacking player amplified by 10 and blended into one good-looking, tanned amalgamation of a striker.
He gets fouled a lot then, I take it?
Brazilian defenders have always been well-built physically, but Neymar doesn't seem to be phased by the rough treatment they often have to revert to as the player attempts to run rings around them like Sonic the Hedgehog if he was skillful with a football. He has matured a lot in recent seasons and, like his Argentinean counterpart, Leo Messi, usually just gets up, gets on with it and more often than not, his technical quality will have the last laugh.
Does he score a lot for Santos?
Well, he has 128 goals in 207 games for his club as well as 17 in 26 games for his country. His fruitful form has continued this year as he has hit 16 goals in 20 games for Santos so far. Don't be surprised if tomorrow night Neymar shows he can be the beacon of the new Luis Felipe Scolari era as the Selecao take on Roy Hodgson's England.
Like he needs any introduction, despite never playing domestic football outside of his native Brazil. He is Santos's wonderfully talented attacking midfielder/ winger/ second striker/ attacking genius. Be prepared to get the balloons and cakes out as today is his birthday, he's 21!!! YAY!
Congratulations to him! So, he's pretty good then?
He is. The Paulista is not the most of accessible of competitions so not many European observers would have seen regularly the brilliance that sees the skunk-haired magician adorn so many Ballon D'or lists or be a perennial competitor for FIFA Goal of the Year gongs and such. He has won 3 straight Campeanatos with Santos and has a list of honours as long as your arm, you can read them on wiki.
I wanna see more of him!
Well you can this Wednesday as he is expected to take the field for Brazil as they face England at Wembley, whilst many long-term thinkers will be salivating at the thought of Neymar gracing his home World Cup next year as he attempts to prove he is worth the hype, something that Barcelona have already reportedly bought into. The Catalan club have apparently agreed a deal with Santos that will see Neymar join Messi and co. in a heavenly-type XI in 2014.
What can we expect from him then?
Supreme confidence first of all, that allows him to run at defenders and twist them inside out like they've been placed in a mangle. He has a wonderfully low sense of gravity that enables him to turn away from markers as quickly as a flash, so expect him to be hacked at by the English defenders who will have their hands well and truly full. He can finish with ruthlessness as he uses his pace to spring away from the shoulder of the back-line but he seems to be far better dropping off between the lines to link the play with outrageous touches and passes.
Just think of Neymar as all the qualities expected of an attacking player amplified by 10 and blended into one good-looking, tanned amalgamation of a striker.
He gets fouled a lot then, I take it?
Brazilian defenders have always been well-built physically, but Neymar doesn't seem to be phased by the rough treatment they often have to revert to as the player attempts to run rings around them like Sonic the Hedgehog if he was skillful with a football. He has matured a lot in recent seasons and, like his Argentinean counterpart, Leo Messi, usually just gets up, gets on with it and more often than not, his technical quality will have the last laugh.
Does he score a lot for Santos?
Well, he has 128 goals in 207 games for his club as well as 17 in 26 games for his country. His fruitful form has continued this year as he has hit 16 goals in 20 games for Santos so far. Don't be surprised if tomorrow night Neymar shows he can be the beacon of the new Luis Felipe Scolari era as the Selecao take on Roy Hodgson's England.
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