Loading ...Jul 10 2008
Vickery Speaks to World Soccer Daily on Thiago Neves
Last week I wrote about Thiago Neves and bemoaned the fact that there was so little information to corroborate a claim in a Tim Vickery column that Fluminense’s attacking midfielder was not stable. The claim appeared in a Vickery column on BBC’s website where he detailed the Copa Libertadores finals.
Today, Vickery was on World Soccer Daily and was asked about Thiago Neves’s prospects in Europe. Vickery detailed some of the reasons why he might question Neves beyond the pitch. While exulting in the attacker’s on-field abilities, Vickery noted that Neves has a reputation for being a bit of a “wild-child” off the field and his temperament is generally questioned. He comes from a “complicated family background” which manifested itself recently when his father went to the media to complain that his son rides around in expensive cars while leaving his father in poverty.
On a professional level, Vickery relayed how Neves signed two contracts last year - his deal with Fluminense as well as a “pre-contract” with Palmieras. The ordeal took months to sort out, with Neves ending up with Fluminense.
It may sound a bit fantastical, but Tim Vickery is not only the English-language authority on South American football but also highly credible upon a read or a listen. His depth of knowledge has garnered him the nickname “Vickepedia,” and the only time he breaks from dispassionate reporting about world football news in when he talks about the actual playing of the game. At that point, you can hear his love for the sport come through with every accolade he’s willing to attribute, an attribution he does generously but also accurately. Ultimately, he’s very fair and as good a media resource as is out there.
Vickery went on to wonder how a European club would assess Neves’s ability to adapt to European football. It seems a valid question, but Neves still seems less of a risk than many. He does, after all, have the talent, which is the key. Talent will not guarantee his success nor will it be sufficient, but putting him in the right environment could be enough. Perhaps rumors linking him with London and Arsenal and Rome with AS Roma would put him too close to a fast and lose lifestyle. Even the link to HSC Berlin, which was reported earlier this week, could put him in a socially problematic place, though the club and league might make for an easier professional transition. I can’t help but wonder if one of the clubs in the Eredivisie or a non-Parisian side in Le Championnat wouldn’t be a good one or two season transition.
If Neves does transition to Europe, it will be interesting to see if a club outside a major city is able to acquire him. At some point, I think a club in a big city will have to take the risk, as they may end up being the only ones who can afford to get Neves out of Brazil. If there’s much doubt over whether the risk is worth it, individual clubs should know that if they are unwilling to roll the dice, another club will.
Links
Hertha Berlin target Valdivia, Villanueva
World Soccer Daily
Who is Thiago Neves?
WFP Related Posts
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