You may have missed it but Liverpool have pulled off one of the shrewdest signings of the summer. Not Fernando Torres or Ryan Babel, but Lucas Pezzini, a midfielder from Grêmio and the captain of Brazil’s Under-20 side.
Lucas comes with a big reputation in his home country. In 2006 he became the youngest ever player to be named Placar magazine’s Player of the Year as Grêmio finished 3rd in the Brazilian Championship. So far this year he has helped them reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, although he was reduced to the role of substitute by an injury which has kept him out of the current U-20 World Cup in Canada.
Despite being only 5′10″, Pezzini is strong and powerful, with a determination to get forward and score goals
Having been touted by many of Europe’s big clubs, Lucas arrives at Anfield as one of the great hopes of the next generation of Brazilian players alongside forward Alexandre Pato and right-back Daniel Alves. When Brazil won the 2007 South American Youth Championship it was under the leadership of Lucas, who scored four times in the tournament, including an important equalizer against Argentina and the first goal in the decisive final 2-0 win over Colombia.
Lucas comes from good footballing stock; his uncle, Leivinha, was part of Brazil’s 1974 World Cup squad and spent four years with Atlético Madrid the late 70s. But he may have to be a slow burner, as he is unlikely to displace Liverpool’s established midfielders quickly. A few Carling Cup appearances may have to suffice in his first season but, if he realizes his great potential, he could become one of the team’s stars in future seasons. The physicality of English football shouldn’t be a problem as, despite being only 5′10″, he is strong and powerful, with a determination to get forward and score goals.
His speculated cost of around €10m may look like a gamble but Rafa Benítez is going down the Arsène Wenger route of bringing players to Anfield while they are still young and developing their craft. The question remains; will Liverpool have the same success in realizing their youngsters’ potential as did Arsenal with Cesc Fàbregas, Kolo Touré or Patrick Vieira?
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7 Responses To This PostSubscribe to Comment RSS or TrackBack URLLucas Leiva said on July 16th, 2007 This is old news, he was ready before the CL final. It seems like he has some pasport problems now, though.
bigtimetopbanana said on July 16th, 2007 No-one knows “Lucas Pezzini” because that is not the name he goes by.
He is either “Lucas Leiva” or just plain “Lucus”.
eggo said on July 16th, 2007 Lucas Pezzini Leiva is his full name, commonly known as Lucas Leiva.
You-Tube have dozens of videos of him, if anyone is interested.
It seems he DOES have a few problems obtaining a work permit. This shouldnt be a problem though, because reports say he is entitled to apply for an Italian passport.
Cant wait to see him in action in a red shirt, the you tube videos are awesome.
magnumopus said on July 16th, 2007 True there is a wait on his passport. Let’s hope it gets cleared this week so he can get some good practice before the season brgins. Settleing in sometimes can take months for some players. Even years for some… YNWA
westy said on July 16th, 2007 This fella will be a legend, mark my words!
Yogi said on July 16th, 2007 Please God no don’t judge a player on youtube. If you put my best moments on youtube I’d look decent, I was ****e and now have MS. Having said I’m looking forward to seeing Lucas play for Liverpool, if Rafa rates him then thats good enough for me
brap said on July 17th, 2007 yeah yeah, if he was that good wenger would have picked him up before he hit puberty. he wont be as good as denilson and cost u 6 times as much so stop patting yourself on the back - you will never beat arsene in this game
agreed youtube highlights mean nothing, half the time you cant see the ball with the crappy compresion
Lucas comes with a big reputation in his home country. In 2006 he became the youngest ever player to be named Placar magazine’s Player of the Year as Grêmio finished 3rd in the Brazilian Championship. So far this year he has helped them reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, although he was reduced to the role of substitute by an injury which has kept him out of the current U-20 World Cup in Canada.
Despite being only 5′10″, Pezzini is strong and powerful, with a determination to get forward and score goals
Having been touted by many of Europe’s big clubs, Lucas arrives at Anfield as one of the great hopes of the next generation of Brazilian players alongside forward Alexandre Pato and right-back Daniel Alves. When Brazil won the 2007 South American Youth Championship it was under the leadership of Lucas, who scored four times in the tournament, including an important equalizer against Argentina and the first goal in the decisive final 2-0 win over Colombia.
Lucas comes from good footballing stock; his uncle, Leivinha, was part of Brazil’s 1974 World Cup squad and spent four years with Atlético Madrid the late 70s. But he may have to be a slow burner, as he is unlikely to displace Liverpool’s established midfielders quickly. A few Carling Cup appearances may have to suffice in his first season but, if he realizes his great potential, he could become one of the team’s stars in future seasons. The physicality of English football shouldn’t be a problem as, despite being only 5′10″, he is strong and powerful, with a determination to get forward and score goals.
His speculated cost of around €10m may look like a gamble but Rafa Benítez is going down the Arsène Wenger route of bringing players to Anfield while they are still young and developing their craft. The question remains; will Liverpool have the same success in realizing their youngsters’ potential as did Arsenal with Cesc Fàbregas, Kolo Touré or Patrick Vieira?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Responses To This PostSubscribe to Comment RSS or TrackBack URLLucas Leiva said on July 16th, 2007 This is old news, he was ready before the CL final. It seems like he has some pasport problems now, though.
bigtimetopbanana said on July 16th, 2007 No-one knows “Lucas Pezzini” because that is not the name he goes by.
He is either “Lucas Leiva” or just plain “Lucus”.
eggo said on July 16th, 2007 Lucas Pezzini Leiva is his full name, commonly known as Lucas Leiva.
You-Tube have dozens of videos of him, if anyone is interested.
It seems he DOES have a few problems obtaining a work permit. This shouldnt be a problem though, because reports say he is entitled to apply for an Italian passport.
Cant wait to see him in action in a red shirt, the you tube videos are awesome.
magnumopus said on July 16th, 2007 True there is a wait on his passport. Let’s hope it gets cleared this week so he can get some good practice before the season brgins. Settleing in sometimes can take months for some players. Even years for some… YNWA
westy said on July 16th, 2007 This fella will be a legend, mark my words!
Yogi said on July 16th, 2007 Please God no don’t judge a player on youtube. If you put my best moments on youtube I’d look decent, I was ****e and now have MS. Having said I’m looking forward to seeing Lucas play for Liverpool, if Rafa rates him then thats good enough for me
brap said on July 17th, 2007 yeah yeah, if he was that good wenger would have picked him up before he hit puberty. he wont be as good as denilson and cost u 6 times as much so stop patting yourself on the back - you will never beat arsene in this game
agreed youtube highlights mean nothing, half the time you cant see the ball with the crappy compresion
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