Portugal announces its U-21 squad

Very interesting. Looks like Scolari’s selections are becoming clearer.
In the end we may be better served by getting as many of our young players involved at the top level, sooner than later.
I think that WC02 showed that youth plays a much bigger role in todays WC than it previously did. The US and Korea showed everyone that young, fast, hungry players can overcome allot of defficiencies.
What do you guys think?

Posted from  Canada

Nelson is injuried but Quaresma, Fernandes and Moutinho could be very useful at the WC.

I think what matters, besides their features individually, is how they blend in. And how they behave with the pressure and etc…

I woulden’t like to see Quaresma going. He’s very good but I don’t find him reliabe.

J Moutinho is an all time favourite. A bit like Tiago, the guy usually plays as attacking midfield - both sides. Can do defensive mid but not very good there. As a true classical midfielder, he’s (for me) alreadt the best playing in the portuguese league. He’s only 19 and the most reliable in his team (currently 2nd place). From all of these guys, he’s the one I really liked seeing play for the NT. It looked like the guy was playng there for the last 2 years… Didn’t complicate and always reliable. Always where needed.

M Fernandes is also an excellent kid. You saw him playing for Benfica against Barcelona and etc… He’s excellent to have on the bench. He’s also the 3rd defensive midfield we needed to have, as a choice, case Costinha doesn’t go at all.

Posted from  Netherlands

This also probably means the 3rd goalie will be paulo Sousa and that we’ll only take 3 strikers: Pauleta’ Nuno Gomes and Helder Postiga.

One kid in this list - Nani - from Sporting Lisbon who plays very very good. I’d say he needs still to mature a bit. But I hope he’ll be “ready” in 4 years or even 2…

Posted from  Netherlands

[...] I must say that Bruno Vale was a good surprise. Howerver, 2 of our choices won’t be in Germany. I already explained why Baia won’t be capped and Bruno Vale will be playing the U-21 European. [...]

Posted from  United States

U-21 coach Agostinho Oliveira will announce his squad for the upcoming European Championship on 13 May. The tournament will take place in the north of Portugal between 23 May and 4 June. The official UEFA site has an interview with the Tournament Director João Morais.

Posted from  United States