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Sports => Football => Topic started by: acb on March 14, 2009, 10:01:20 PM

Title: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: acb on March 14, 2009, 10:01:20 PM: Moves to North(ish) as career heads south.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/mar/13/tottenham-ipswich-giovani-dos-santos-barcelona (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/mar/13/tottenham-ipswich-giovani-dos-santos-barcelona)

Quote
From Camp Nou to Portman Road ... Dos Santos joins Ipswich on loan

• Mexican forward failed to make an impression at Spurs
• Former Barca star set to play in the Championship

Jacob Steinberg guardian.co.uk
Friday 13 March 2009 21.56 GMT

(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Clubs/Club%20Home/2009/2/19/1235074917481/Giovani-Dos-Santos-001.jpg)
Giovani Dos Santos, centre, was regarded as Ronaldinho's replacement at Barcelona but has now joined Ipswich on loan. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

One minute you're playing for Barcelona, the next you find yourself turning out for Ipswich Town. One of Juande Ramos's heralded summer signings for Tottenham, Giovani Dos Santos, has joined Ipswich on loan until the end of the season, an embarrassing step for a player who engendered so much optimism upon his arrival. The current Spurs manager Harry Redknapp has been trying to disassociate himself from the work of his predecessor, Ramos, for as long as he has been in the job, and this move could be interpreted as such.

Dos Santos came to White Hart Lane from Barcelona in a £4.7million deal, armed with a reputation as one of football's up-and-coming young stars, but the Mexican has failed to make any sort of positive impact during his time in north London. An extended jaunt to a club in the Championship, having featured for a team who reached the semi-finals of the Champions League last year, will be a humiliating descent for the Mexican striker.

He has made just 12 appearances for Spurs this season, and his only goal for the club came in their Uefa Cup exit at the hands of Shakhtar Donetsk in the round of 32. He has also struggled with an ankle injury since November, which has understandably curtailed his progress.

Alongside Bojan Krkic, Dos Santos was one of Barcelona's great hopes, and had been trumpeted as a potential replacement for Ronaldinho, and there was reported interest from both Chelsea and Internazionale before Spurs sealed what was regarded as a coup at the time.

However Dos Santos failed to settle, and as Spurs made a terrible start to the season, picking up just two points from their opening eight games, Ramos found himself sacked and replaced by Redknapp who was unwilling to find a place for the youngster in his team. He now has a barely believable chance to revive his career in the unfamiliar surroundings of Portman Road. He will go straight into the Ipswich squad for their match at Reading tomorrow.

Meanwhile another young Tottenham midfielder, Adel Taarabt, has joined another Championship club, Queens Park Rangers, on loan until the summer.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: asylumseeker on March 14, 2009, 10:51:23 PM: Politics
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Bakes on March 14, 2009, 10:55:24 PM: Quote from: asylumseeker on March 14, 2009, 10:51:23 PM
Politics

Plain and simple. But kill the British press dead, Gio is a bust.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Deeks on March 15, 2009, 12:27:01 AM: Sometimes some players bloom late. At least he still playing.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: acb on March 15, 2009, 12:31:58 AM: Quote from: Bake n Shark on March 14, 2009, 10:55:24 PM
Quote from: asylumseeker on March 14, 2009, 10:51:23 PM
Politics

Plain and simple. But kill the British press dead, Gio is a bust.

this couldve played a role in that perception:

Quote from: Andre on December 11, 2008, 09:54:17 AM
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/12/10/tottenham-star-bundled-out-of-drunken-xmas-bash-picture-exclusive-115875-20960792/

(http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/dec2008/5/6/20EB4C7B-0736-6783-572DE111EDDF8FE0.jpg)
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Bakes on March 15, 2009, 12:44:44 AM: ^^^^^^^ no doubt.

I actually had that very image in my mind as I was typing mih post.

Knowing how dem Brits love dey grog ah not sure if that pic make him look like ah slacker ("he drinks too much") or a sissy ("he can't hold his liquor").
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Mose on March 15, 2009, 02:28:26 AM: All of the above AND he doh have he head screwed on right. Success probably went to he head and not being able to fit in at Spurs probably f*ck him up! Hope he can pull it together and get things back on track. Might have to leave England and start over somewhere else though.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Peong on March 15, 2009, 08:26:12 AM: That youth should leave England.
Go and play for Valencia lewwe build back up a side :)
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: giggsy11 on March 15, 2009, 08:40:28 AM: Quote from: Peong on March 15, 2009, 08:26:12 AM
That youth should leave England.
Go and play for Valencia lewwe build back up a side :)

Second that. He will end up a journey man by age 20 if he does not leave England and make sure he does not return unless he playing against a team in England.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Filho on March 15, 2009, 09:13:12 AM: Quote from: Deeks on March 15, 2009, 12:27:01 AM
Sometimes some players bloom late. At least he still playing.

except this fella was actually blooming early..Under 17 WC champ, Barca 1st team as a teenager....He and Arsenal's Vela are considered the future of Mexican football. BUt I hear yah..at this point he needs to turn around his career and fulfill his potential..and that may mean hitting the heights a little later than it originally appeared he would
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: asylumseeker on March 16, 2009, 03:07:40 PM: Quote from: Bake n Shark on March 15, 2009, 12:44:44 AM
^^^^^^^ no doubt.

I actually had that very image in my mind as I was typing mih post.

Knowing how dem Brits love dey grog ah not sure if that pic make him look like ah slacker ("he drinks too much") or a sissy ("he can't hold his liquor").

Absolutely.

I doh have a doubt Sven is mindful of Gio's situation ... by heightening his profile with MEX, Gio gets a way to rehab his career if anyone is paying attention ... thing is ... he's also suffering for Spurs poor run in the earlies, whereas a rejuvenated Spurs has offered a lifeline to other players ...

Watch meh, I like listening to Harry ... buh de more I listen to Harry, de clearer it is Gio couldnah been an important variable in his formula (drunk scene or not)
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: asylumseeker on March 16, 2009, 03:08:13 PM: Quote from: giggsy11 on March 15, 2009, 08:40:28 AM
Quote from: Peong on March 15, 2009, 08:26:12 AM
That youth should leave England.
Go and play for Valencia lewwe build back up a side :)

Second that. He will end up a journey man by age 20 if he does not leave England and make sure he does not return unless he playing against a team in England.

Bingo.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Filho on March 16, 2009, 07:57:34 PM: Quote from: giggsy11 on March 15, 2009, 08:40:28 AM
Quote from: Peong on March 15, 2009, 08:26:12 AM
That youth should leave England.
Go and play for Valencia lewwe build back up a side :)

Second that. He will end up a journey man by age 20 if he does not leave England and make sure he does not return unless he playing against a team in England.

he'll be 20 in May ;D
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: just cool on March 16, 2009, 08:11:35 PM: He still young, he go be a wicked player in a few, which will spell more trouble for we!!!!! hek , he's a wicked player now!
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: dinho on March 16, 2009, 10:34:06 PM: if he had listen to me and keep he cyat quiet in barcelona he would be a big player all now so...

too bad he listen to his agent and believe the hype..

schupit yute.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: spideybuff on March 17, 2009, 06:04:16 AM: Any mexican succeed in England yet?
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Filho on March 17, 2009, 07:08:50 AM: Quote from: spideybuff on March 17, 2009, 06:04:16 AM
Any mexican succeed in England yet?

Nah. Not too many have tried. It's not just the EPL, Mexicans have only recently started making a more concerted effort to go abroad and try their thing. And as would be expected, the most natural destination in Europe would be Spain. Just like 10-15 years ago, you could count the number of Brazilians, or Argentines who succeeded in the EPL on one hand. Borgetti is the most recent senior player to give it a go, but he didn't stay long at Bolton. Vela is the one youth who is doing fine. Wouldn't say he has succeeded, but he is well on track. Can't think of any others...Like I said.. a few more are trying La Liga than the EPL, and quite a few are moving to Brazil...but overall, they seem to like the comforts of home.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM: this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: palos on March 17, 2009, 07:53:48 AM: Quote from: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM
this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?

Ardiles
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:57:19 AM: Quote from: palos on March 17, 2009, 07:53:48 AM
Quote from: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM
this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?

Ardiles
ah was tinkin bout he too.i tink he was with spurs.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: giggsy11 on March 17, 2009, 08:45:40 AM: Ah wonder if he even speaks English. Not that Arry speaks English!
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Disgruntled_Trini on March 17, 2009, 09:04:48 AM: If he had keep he black ass in Barca he would've been on course for success.

Pep believe in youth and I am pretty sure he would've brought him on jes like he did with Busquets and Bojan.

I had real hope for dat youth man, but he should ah listen to Public Enemy and Don't believe the Hype.

I think I read somewhere that he has a younger brother in the Barca system.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: acb on March 17, 2009, 09:08:49 AM: Quote from: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM
this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?

Asprilla?
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: giggsy11 on March 17, 2009, 09:54:38 AM: Quote from: palos on March 17, 2009, 07:53:48 AM
Quote from: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM
this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?

Ardiles
\
And Ricky Villa
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: palos on March 17, 2009, 10:02:13 AM: Quote from: giggsy11 on March 17, 2009, 09:54:38 AM
Quote from: palos on March 17, 2009, 07:53:48 AM
Quote from: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM
this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?

Ardiles
\
And Ricky Villa

IMO Ricky Villa's biggest impact on the English game was that he was a fellow Argentine who was there to not make Ardiles feel like he was alone. Villa was a good balla but he had minimal impact on the field of play in England...except in that FA Cup (or was it League Cup?) Final & de wonder goal of course.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: asylumseeker on March 17, 2009, 10:04:01 AM: Quote from: palos on March 17, 2009, 07:53:48 AM
Quote from: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM
this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?

Ardiles

Great answer ... buh even Ossie would credit his Ricky Villa for helping him big up de stage.

I would add, Nolberto Solano didn't do poorly in England.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Filho on March 17, 2009, 10:23:52 AM: Can't speak too much of the past but Tottenham fans speak of Ardiles as a legend

From the time I started watching football seriously, I'd say the latinamericans with the biggest impact in no particular order were:

Gus Poyet
Nolberto Solano
Javier Mascherano
Gilberto Silva
Edu
Carlos Tevez
Gabriel Heinze
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: giggsy11 on March 17, 2009, 10:25:30 AM: Quote from: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM
this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?

Your question forced me to ask this question- did you ask the question because Mexico is in central or south america? Just asking?
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 10:27:45 AM: Quote from: giggsy11 on March 17, 2009, 10:25:30 AM
Quote from: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM
this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?

Your question forced me to ask this question- did you ask the question because Mexico is in central or south america? Just asking?
when it come to geography,nobody could tie me up eh.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: FF on March 17, 2009, 10:31:33 AM: Quote from: Filho on March 17, 2009, 10:23:52 AM
Can't speak too much of the past but Tottenham fans speak of Ardiles as a legend

From the time I started watching football seriously, I'd say the latinamericans with the biggest impact in no particular order were:

Gus Poyet
Nolberto Solano
Javier Mascherano
Gilberto Silva
Edu
Carlos Tevez
Gabriel Heinze

Juninho
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Observer on March 17, 2009, 10:33:53 AM: All indications are that DeSantos father is the one who was responsible for his son break up with Barca.
He made demands and Barca called his bluff.

Yes Ardiles and Villa made an impact. is really only recently we have seen an influx of Latins in the EPL. Generally the managers in the EPL did not trust players from South America.

But no one can deny the impact Gilberto Silva made at Arsenal, with League titles and FA Cup wins.
Others will point a finger to Javier Mascherano at Liverpool
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Filho on March 17, 2009, 10:50:35 AM: Quote from: giggsy11 on March 17, 2009, 10:25:30 AM
Quote from: capodetutticapi on March 17, 2009, 07:23:55 AM
this force meh to raise this question,who had the most impact in de english game to come from central or south america?

Your question forced me to ask this question- did you ask the question because Mexico is in central or south america? Just asking?

haha good one. Technically Mexico is part of North America ;D
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: asylumseeker on March 17, 2009, 10:50:41 AM: Correct as to Gio's pops.
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: Bakes on March 20, 2009, 10:46:56 PM: What happened to Altidore and Dos Santos?

by Eric Gomez, Bleacher Report

Updated: March 20, 2009, 7:31 PM EST

On October 2, 2005, not far from the ruins of the Incan Empire's most famous city, Macchu Picchu, a 16 year-old boy smiled, holding a shining trophy high above his head.

Back in Mexico, millions of his countrymen cheered in elation, and some simultaneously wondered if the boy was leading a budding empire of his own.

The boy, Giovani dos Santos, had just captained Mexico's U-17 squad to its first World Cup championship in any category, turning in a stellar performance that helped him obtain the tournament's Bronze Ball award.

With FC Barcelona's famed youth academy — the same that would see players like Bojan Krkic and Lionel Messi come up through its ranks — handling dos Santos' development, it seemed like the sky was the limit.

Similarly, the United States Soccer Federation had to be incredibly pleased with its young, talented team that for the first time ever, was almost nearly all home-grown.

Already boasting talented attackers in Landon Donovan, Freddy Adu and Damarcus Beasley, an exciting 16-year-old New Jersey native was being touted as "the guy."

Before he even turned 18, U.S. men's Coach Bob Bradley had seen enough to call him up to the senior squad.

Recognition, fortune — and perhaps the sweetest thing of all — relative obscurity in New York, a city known for exalting athletes into gods — was showered upon "the guy," who casually slipped into his role, even requesting the No. 9 shirt for his dates with the national team.

And so, no one batted an eyelash when soon after, Europe clamored for "the guy." No one was surprised that a club from the Spanish league, practically uncharted territory for American players, was the ultimate destination.

Today, less than two years from Jozy Altidore's leap to Spain, and less than four years from dos Santos' triumph, the two rising stars, the two saviors, ply away in obscurity in lower European divisions, away from the glitz — and the real talent.

What happened?

Giovani dos Santos

A favorite of Frank Rijkaard, dos Santos debuted with Barcelona's senior team in September of 2007. Despite receiving spot starts in the League, dos Santos' activity was mainly limited to seeing action as a sub and playing in lesser important tournaments.

As Barcelona were knocked out of La Liga's title race, Giovani was given more playing time, and he rewarded Rijkaard's trust with a hat trick in the last game of the season.

Already a media darling in Spain and Mexico, speculation arose when Giovani became a naturalized citizen of Spain, making him eligible to play for La Furia Roja, as well as Brazil (through his father) and his native Mexico. He ultimately chose Mexico.

New Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola saw dos Santos as part of Rijkaard's old regime which ended in locker room turmoil. Guardiola's fellow Spaniard, Juande Ramos, pressed his bosses at Tottenham to make an offer. Four million euros later, dos Santos was a Spur.

Ramos' other signings promised fans a young, vivacious, exciting team. Instead, Tottenham looked weak, confused and easily beaten. Ramos was fired before the end of the year. New manager Harry Redknapp relegated dos Santos to the bench, and an injury didn't help his playing time much, either.

Tottenham's relative resurgence has eased pressure from Redknapp and his decision to bench several players. This month, Giovani has been loaned out to Ipswich Town, currently battling for promotion in the Championship, England's second-tier.

In Mexico, national team boss and Gio booster Sven-Goran Eriksson is apparently one bad result away from being fired, something that could come as early as March 28, when Mexico faces Costa Rica in the second game of World Cup qualifying.

For his national team, Giovani has failed to impress, often times looking overwhelmed on the pitch and turning in sub-par performances against considerably weaker opponents. In over 10 appearances, he's yet to score and only has one assist.

Despite only being 20, Giovani is already being labeled a bust by some media outlets, comparing him to former prodigy Pedro Pineda, a striker so promising that he was poached by AC Milan in his teenage years, but ended his career in obscurity, toiling in Mexico's second divsion.

The lanky, speedy young man from New Jersey was already seen as a polished talent at the age of 16, when he became eligible for MLS' SuperDraft. However, some clubs passed on him, some mistrusting the scouting reports, and others not wanting to spend a pick on a player that would surely be gone a few years later.

Altidore slipped to 16th in the draft, eventually being selected by New York. Less than a month after his professional debut, Altidore had already scored. Exactly one month after beginning his career, he had already blasted home his first game winner.

By 2008, less than two years after debuting, Altidore had already been selected by the U.S. Men's National Team, scored 15 professional goals and had his image grace the cover of EA Sports' popular videogame, FIFA 08.

MLS had been negotiating with European clubs since the beginning of 2008, and a bidding war ensued. Spanish club Villarreal won out, paying over $10 million for Altidore's services, becoming the highest amount ever a club has paid for an American player.

In Europe, Altidore found a different culture and a wildly different approach to the sport. Even at a relatively smaller club like Villarreal, press attention swarmed the players at every corner.

In six months, Altidore only mustered a handful of appearances as a substitute, and despite scoring once, his playing time was severely hampered by the pecking order at Villarreal, which features fellow New Jersey product Giuseppe Rossi, Mexican international Guillermo Franco, and Turkish star Nihat.

Despite receiving offers from clubs as prestigious as Everton, Villarreal decded to loan Altidore out to the Spanish second division. Xerez was Altidore's final destination, with the intent that the American receive playing time.

However, nearly two months later, Altidore has yet to appear in a league game for Xerez.

Back home, the national team's superior form coupled with Jozy's lack of playing time has seen him having playing time by coming off the bench in recent games, managing two goals in less than ten games.

At Villarreal, Altidore is set to return from his loan deal this summer, at the same time when Robert Flores, Marco Ruben and Mathias Vidangossy return from their loan deals.

Flores, Ruben and Vidangossy are all forwards, and have all received considerable playing time in their clubs, and could very well number Altidore's days at Villarreal.

Conclusion

While some outlets might be quick to label these players a bust, attention must also be paid to the fact that not every young, talented player is Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, and that not every young, talented player is lucky enough to have such stable development periods as those aforementioned players.

Messi flourished under Frank Rijkaard and became an unquestionable star, and Cristiano Ronaldo has become a top-tier player with Alex Ferguson as his mentor. Modern football (and modern football economics) have made loan deals for unused players and quick firings of managers after a handful of games the norm.

These two may not ever be Messi or Ronaldo caliber players, but there is no reason not to suspect they won't star for their respective countries and clubs for years and years to come.

Eric Gomez is an analyst for Bleacher Report, the open source sports network

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9353824/What-happened-to-Altidore-and-Dos-Santos?
Title: Re: Gio Dos Santos needs a compass
Post by: NUFF on March 21, 2009, 08:36:59 AM: Dos Santos need to get out of England as fast as he can if he wants to see he career turn around. It was a dumb move for him to go from Spain to England.

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