The FC Porto Generation

FC Porto : The Dragons

My first opinion of FC Porto this season was a mediocre European team with hardly no talent. This was because they were demolished by Arsenal with hardly no effort at all. And Arsenal played many youngsters such as, Ramsey and Vela. I thought what had happened since the Mourinho era where Costhina netted a late goal earning them a historic aggregate win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. I knew Porto was a selling club. Were they would sell their players and buy new young stars. For example, they sold Deco, Maniche, Carvaholo and bought Diego and others. Losing Ricardo Quaresma was a big shock for me and I thought they would struggle in the Champion's League without him. As he was their playmaker. Unfortunately, Quarsema hasn't adapted to foreign football like when he moved to Barcelona and Inter has passed him on loan to Chelsea where he hasn't impressed as well. And bringing in this new unknown Brazilian kid as his replacement maybe, nicknamed Hulk due to his resemblance to Hollywood actor Lou Ferringo, who played the comic book hero. Furthermore, they nicknamed him Hulk even more due to him playing for Tokyo Verdy in Japan and wearing a green jersey. They bought Aly Cissohko in to bolster their defence. And in my opinion he is better then their other left back, Fucile of Uruguay.  But, after seeing their progress through the competition I realized they were gradually getting better. Now they are at the Quarter Final Stages of the biggest tournament in Europe, the Champion's League with 2 away goals against the current winners Manchester United. Can they shock the world once more? Only time will tell. But, what interests me is their South American influence and their youth talent :

Givanildo Vieira de Souza, aka Hulk

Hulk is an unusual centre forward. He is very strong and uses sharp turns and step overs to bamboozle defenders. Due to his range of tricks you would expect him to be a winger like Robinho or Cristiano Ronaldo. Furthermore, he likes to have long range shots. These shots are of great power and speed. His first touch can be brilliant at times but, sometimes he has a habit of wanting to go the whole way without passing it to someone in a better position. He was in Uefa.com's top ten rising stars.

Many people were shocked even at Porto how good he was as he played in the Japanese League which, is not a top, competitive football league and soon he gained a starting place in the Porto line up with his strong performances ; nicking Sektioui's place. In Japan his record at Tokyo Verdy was impressive and scary. Scoring 44 goals in 55 appearances. Those three years in Japan really paid off as he is confident in front of goal and has a very attacking football mind. And that 6 million Euro price tag that Porto paid for him is increasing constantly. 

Against Atletico Madrid he had a stellar performance. Driving the defense mad and was dubbed by the Spanish newspapers the new Ronaldo. United had similar problems against the muscular forward. Were he should of got at least one penalty. First Vidic who has been argued the best centre back in the world at the moment looked average. Hulk ran past him with ease and his strength which, intimidates forwards was nothing against the strength Hulk had. Resulting in Vidic wrestling him to the fall when he entered the box in a dangerous position. Also, Tevez fouled him by using a slide tackle and made no contact with the ball. He won the Man of the Match Award by Uefa.com for that match. 

From his amazing performances he should be given a chance at National Level. Getting into the Brazil National Team must be murder. Due to the sheer brilliance you must compete with. But, with Adriano not being as lethal as he used to be and he announcing a break from football. Dunga has a slot to fill in the National team. Hulk has many similarities with Adriano and plays in Europe which, Dunga wants all of his National team to do.

Here is a video of what Hulk can be capable. An amazing strike :

Aly Cissokho

Another player that many people would not expect to reach this level was Aly Cissohko. He was playing for Victoria Setbul one year ago in the French Second Division. Porto bought him for around 600, 000 thousand euros. He was an absolute bargain. And he proved against Manchester United how class he is. With strong runs into their box from his left back position and forcing Cristiano Ronaldo to come back and defend he weakened Manchester United's attackive force by attacking and caused problems with his crosses into the box. From that performance he has already aroused interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Raymond Domenach might want to look at him for the France Squad as he runs result in more things then Evra's runs in my opinion. And is he performs at that level again in the second leg bigger clubs will be looking to buy him. Here is how he can be so attackive :

Fernando Francisco Reges

The next player that has impressed and is young at Porto is the Brazilian Fernando who was bought in to replace Paulo Assaunco who left for Atletico Madrid during the Summer. He has similar qualities to Paulo and had a stellar performance against Manchester United. Playing very well against Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo. He moved to Porto from Vila Nova. He signed a five year contract with Porto but was immediately loaned out to gain experience. And it looks like it has paid off. Unfortunately, he never made the Brazil Under 20 World Cup Squad.

Cristian Rodriguez

He started his career at Penerol in his home country of Uruguay. He played well enough there to grant a move to French Giants Paris Saint Germain, PSG. He never really impressed there but, did help them fend off relegation and was soon put on loan to Benfica. He impressed at Benfica and caught Portos' eye. So, Porto bought him off PSG. Porto used three pronged attack with Hulk, Lisandro Lopez and him. This is very effective and sometimes Hulk and Lisandro Lopez switch positions to confuse defenders. He is a very attacking minded player and played very well against Manchester United and throughout the tournament.Scoring a well placed strike and causing young Northern Irish Manchester United Centre Back Johnny Evans a very bad night.

So, there is the new youth system operating at FC Porto. They host Manchester United at home on Wednesday with two away goals at the Estadio Do Dragao. Where no English team has beat them there in the Champion's League. Bad statistics for Manchester United. Be sure to keep an eye out for some of these dazzling youngsters. Especially, Hulk and Rodriguez. Any comments and constructive criticism is welcome. Have Fun and keep coming back here.

Joel