Filed under: English Premier League | Tags: Anderson, Champions League, Grêmio, Liverpool, Lucas, Manchester United, Porto, Premier League
A fantastic pass for Manchester United’s first goal in the 2-0 win over Portsmouth, and the hard work that has earned him a lot of praise in England – and has made him explain back home why he is not the player he used to be. Anderson is back at his best after suffering with injuries this season. Wednesday’s night victory was so important to him and United that the Brazilian says he and the fans have started feeling the smell of more silverware.
“We are totally focused on winning the Premier League as soon as possible and then concentrate in the Champions League. We respected our opponents but the ‘smell of the Premier League trophy’ is already in the air. The fans are excited with the possibility of a quadruple, of winning four trophies this season. We see that on flags and banners and this gives us, players, even more confidence. We want to make history in Europe,” says Anderson, through his spokesman.
The midfielder is yet to score his first goal for Manchester United in more than 70 appearances, but he swears he is more than happy to help with assistances and passes, like the one to Ryan Giggs who then sent the ball for Wayne Roney to score 1-0 against Portsmouth.
“I joked with the guys that the strikers should give me some of their cash because of my assistances. It makes things much easier for them,” laughs Anderson.
Only 21, Anderson has already won a Copa América with the Seleção and his honours with Manchester United include one Champions League, one Premier League, one Club World Cup and the League Cup.
He started his career at Grêmio FBPA labeled as new Ronaldinho, coming from the same ranks and because of his talent and hairstyle. He won the Brazilian Second Divison with Grêmio, scoring in the historic Batalha dos Aflitos (“Battle of the Afflicted”) against Náutico, a match also mentioned by Liverpool midfielder and former Anderson teammate Lucas in one interview to FC Brazil.
Anderson then moved to FC Porto where he won two Portuguese leagues and one Portuguese Cup. He was elected the best player of the 2005 U-17 World Cup in Peru and has also won the bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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Givanildo Vieira de Souza, aka Hulk, is the latest example of a promising Brazilian player to break into European football before getting noticed by football fans, and media, in his homeland. The striker has been so influential in FC Porto’s performances so far this season that four of Portugal’s biggest football agents voted him the squad’s most valuable player, worth as much as 43 million US dollars (32,5 million euros).
The four agents were asked by Portuguese newspaper Jornal de Notícias to evaluate both FC Porto and Manchester United teams ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final clash at Estádio do Dragão. Cristiano Ronaldo was the obvious choice in the English side, but Hulk’s name does not come as a surprise after he stunned Sir Alex Ferguson and Man United fans in last week’s 2-2 draw at Old Trafford in the first leg. Among the managers who have praised his talent are also Benfica’s Quique Flores, Arsenal’s Arsène Wenger and last but not least Brazilian national team coach Dunga.
Givanildo was given his nickname due to his strenght and resemblance to the comic book hero, and due to the green jersey of Japanese club Verdy Tokyo, where he played for two seasons. He left Brazil as a 15-year-old for trials in Portugal, included a failed one at the same FC Porto where he is a star right now. When 18 he arrived in Japan. Three and a half seasons and 70 goals later he was back to Porto, after the club payed 5,5 million euros for 50% of the playing rights. Despite all the buzz, Hulk tries to keep his feet on the ground and reminds all that he has been playing in European top level for only nine months.
“I feel like never before, this is the best moment of my career. But I know I still have a lot to improve and I want to do that. I have always said I’m no phenomenon and I have just started my career in Europe,” says the striker. When asked about the match against Manchester United, Hulk is not so humble. “We have proven this is a clash with no favourites. We have many talented players and we can face them as equals.”
Beating United will also help Hulk to become more famous in his country. Most Brazilian fans and many football pundits tend to overlook European football and ask for more opportunities to players in the local league. The fact that Dunga has chosen the opposite way and called a lot of foreign-based “unknown” players to the Seleção has made no good to his popularity. Not that the coach seems to care. The curious nickname will not help Hulk either. But so it was when he landed in Portugal last July.
FC Brazil 