Who Will Replace Jorge Andrade?

Nunes gets my vote…

Posted from  Canada

As far as I’m concerned, F Meira will take it. He’s third best CD with the “seleccao”, very strong – Stutgard was the least beaten defense in Europe some time ago, has quite a number of matches with R Carvalho and J Andrade on his belt plus he’s experienced. Seeing him in the middle oif the defense isn’t less frightnening then Andrade. Although I would prefer him. More calm, more of a “fast tank”. A solid rock back there. By the way, although versatile and able to play as CD, Caneira is left back and it’s not sure that he goes – P Ferreira is a very decent right, as well as left back. Valente (LB) goes more up front but P Ferreira can also play left quite well. Caneira can play CD but he won’t, unless he must. I fear more Iran and Mexico than England or The Netherlands. And Angola can be very, very physical. Trust me. FORCA PORTUGAL!

Posted from  Netherlands

Likely to be Fernando Meira. He had several positive games with PT during the run up to the Finals and he seems to be right at home with Carvalho, Ferreira, Valente and Co. I don’t think Scolari wants to introduce too many new variables at this stage.

Posted from  United States

Even more interesting than who will be on the pitch replacing Andrade is who will be on the bench… Scolari is a cleaver, cleaver guy… One thing is for sure, he will not bring a “name”. He’s more likelly to bring a good pair of legs and lungs. Tonel from Sporting Lisbon is more and more talked about. And a bigger problem then Andrade – fortunatelly Portugal has a lot of decent defenders – is who will replace Costinha, our midfield General, our anchor, the guy who stays with Carvalho and Andrade when Miguel and Valente go up on the sides, the guy who scores when there’s a corner and the guy who brings authority without saying a word or making a move… It looks he’s not playing in Moscow. And also won’t, till kingdom come…

Posted from  Netherlands

Your probably right Luis. Scolari won’t be inclined to change things up at this late a stage. He’ll want to try and maintain the team chemistry as much as possible.
But it’s nice to have chooses and some depth for a change.

Posted from  Canada

Is it only me, or is anyone else annoyed that all the talk is about whether Rooney or Messi will outshine all others at World Cup? C. Ronaldo is never mentioned as a nother young player that may perform greatness…
All the Manu games I’ve seen, Ronaldo has outplayed Rooney 9 times out of 10.

Posted from  Canada

Rooney is very good. But he isn’t a magician. Like any normal english, he receives a long ball, runs and scores. But he is still very very good. Make no mistake. As for C Ronaldo… Although he’s a winger, I bet he could score as much goals as Rooney. He scored 2/3 as much as Pauleta… And I bet Rooney couldn’t do half the things C Ronaldo does with a BALL. Just let time tell… Figo and Ronaldo were carrying Barcelona on their lap for quite some time, playing brilliantly together back in 1997, and the world only noticed him much after. So, time will tell… But C Ronaldo can become bigger than Figo.

And did anybody notice what most of the last 8 Chapions League teams have in common…? You can find there Figo, Simao & Petit, Tiago and Deco. I’d say this means something… To find 30-40% of your National Team playing at the highest club level in Europe!!! And this number would be higher if Chelsea would still be in and if Rui Costa could still play more than 10-15 mins, non-stop…

Posted from  Netherlands

Even Luis Figo admitted that he didn’t know how C. Ronaldo does some things with the ball….that’s telling you something! The kid is still young but his potential is ENORMOUS! His game used to be a little bit too flashy and not enough emphasis on “playing for the team,” but as of late he’s been playing fantastic and certainly a threat against any team. I can’t wait til the World Cup!

Posted from  United States

Sure his potential is huge. And he’s really a sight to see, when he picks the ball. He’s far better than Figo when he was his age. Figo went to the “Barcelona school”, C Ronaldo went to the “ManUtd” school. Can’t wish for any better… Cantona himself puts him far high (by saying “he’s very good, he just needs to score more – coming from him, I’d say this is a huge compliment)!

BUT… Although Portugal has always produced superb youths, they don’t always make it… Figo did, with style! But do you remember Dani? Ex-Ajax A’dam? That’s right, almost nobody does anymore…

Posted from  Netherlands

Rooney is a great talent, but if no one feeds him the ball, he barely has an impact on the game. Messi is without a doubt a player with great potential, but I’m tired of the “Next Maradonna” syndrome. He hasn’t proven himself yet and nothing in Football is guaranteed.

C. Ronaldo is a phenomenal talent on the ball, but he’s also capable of dismantling a team single-handed. He terrorizes teams on the flanks for 90 minutes pouring in cross after cross and opening the central lanes for his teammates. Not sure why no one seems to notice what he does for the PT national team. While Ronaldo was scoring piles of goals for PT what was Rooney doing for England? Messi played well for the Argentinean youth teams but he has yet to make an impact at the senior level.

Posted from  United States

I love Ronaldo, and feel he is a better talent than Rooney. However, I also think he lacks something Rooney has. Rooney has a fire in his gut that burns with competitiveness. Touch him, and he gets mad. While this sometimes leads to yellow cards or worse, it more often leads to a good play and a stronger effort to do all things necessary to win the game. But touch Ronaldo, he gets a pained look on his face, and implores the referee like a little boy. If he feels that a referee has wronged him, he tends to become marginalized in the game, and his work effort decreases.

This is a crucial difference. I remember when Figo was Ronaldo’s age at Sporting, and he was like Rooney – he never went to ground unless there was a hard foul. He also played with that fire in his belly. Until Ronaldo learns how to play with intensity, and not just style, he will not live to his full potential.

Posted from  Canada

I don’t think CR lacks intensity, but I feel Figo has indeed much more of it. He is extremelly competitive and it even shows in his face. Like that “anger and rage” kick in Euro cup 2000. We were 2-0 down against England. Suddently, halfway across the pitch, Figo shoots a rocket… It was one of the best goals of the tournement and we won 3-2.

I also remember Figo in Sporting (what a team back then, with him and Balakov). I also think he’s one of the portuguese players that dives the least. But I’m always puzzled when foreigners say he’s always diving… It’s probably the same people who only discuss Rooney and Messi, like there’s nobody else around and only see what they’re told to see…

For the rest, I’m very sorry if I seem exagerate, but for me the difference is that CRonaldo can become a legend. He might also not. Let’s all hope he does. Rooney is a star and can only become a super star. Not a legend… That’s the BIG difference, the way I see it.

Posted from  Netherlands

I think Ben has a point, but I would argue that Ronaldo has come a long way in the last couple years. He doesn’t seem to exhibit those behaviors as often. Look at it from his point of view, however. Defenders can’t stay with him. He burns them all and the only way for them to stop him is to hack him to death. If I were him, I would get a little annoyed too. I don’t think he lacks any determination and grit. It takes character to take that kind of abuse and still keep pushing forward.

Posted from  United States

Apparently, no conlcusion was reached as to WHO is going on Andrade’s place…

Acording to portuguese newspaper Record

http://www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=701585&idCanal=832

SL Benfica fans prefer Ricardo Rocha, Sporting CP fans prefer Tonel and FC Porto fans prefer Pedro Emanuel… I wonder if they realized that he is ALREADY going.

Going to play for Angola…

Posted from  Netherlands

No chance that Emanuel will play for Portugal. He already gave his word to play for Angola.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Come on Dan Lourenco! There has to be new stuff you can wright about, surely.

Posted from  United Kingdom

Hey, if anyone wants to help out with writing the Portugal blog send me an email bob [at] worldcupblog.org

And WHO will replace Scolari if he decides to move to England – seeing what the brits are doing to Sven, all this flirting with all the coaches and their mothers, I guess they’d love having a guy like Scolari… The portuguese press loves/hates this little soap opera…

But if he does go, who will replace him???

I´m sure there’s people also in Portugal with a computer and an opinion at home…

FELIPAO FICA!

I think Meira is a Good option or Ze castro but still Andrade is a Huge loss Portugal will feel the repercutions towards his Injury.

Like I said we have Good options>Pedro Emanuel,Miguelito,Rocha or My Pick Tonel.

I just hope our defense plays better then we did at the Euros.

Posted from  Canada

Not counting the greek goal – for me, a mistake of the whole team – and the blunder from Costinha in the match against England – can happen to anyone and it only really got dangerous cos there a guy called Rooney around – I think the defense was very good.

I feel Andrade is better than Meira and was more games with Carvalho together. They can almost play with their eyes closed and one is always supporting the other. So yes, Portugal will feel it more than we think we will. But we´ve always had good defenders and if the team is compact and solid, you will see Meira is also very good. His performace has improved in the team, slowly but surelly. I´m more concerned if Costinha doesn´t make it. Rui Costa was our maestro in the attack, Costinha IS our maestro in defense. He has a way with timing and ALWAYS in the right place, while we’re still trying to find what that place is. At least it’s what I think.

hi…
football is best sport that make people be togther
And, brazil is best that will have the world cup.
mohannad.md@hotmail.com

Posted from  Serbia And Montenegro

Dear friend, I´m with you!

We will have the chance to make good exhibitions(with Nederlands, England and Brasil…)

Posted from  Portugal

BIBA PORTUGAL

Posted from  Portugal

WHAT A TEAM!!! THEY DID THEIR BEST AND WE SHOULD ALL BE PROUD!

2008 WILL BE PORTUGAL’S YEAR!!!

FROM TEXAS USA

ROSIE

Posted from  United States