Fabio Coentrão

032Devil

Full Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2004
Messages
22,147
World Cup star Fabio Coentrão Manchester Bound | Football Talk



World Cup Star Fabio Coentrão Manchester Bound


According to latest reports Portugal’s attacking full-back Fabio Coentrão is set to sign for either Manchester United or Manchester City this summer.

The 22-year old had an impressive World Cup campaign with many critics praising him as Portugal’s player of the tournament. Rumours are now arising that the Benfica defender is set to make the move to Manchester United, who will have to fend off close competition from billionaire neighbours Manchester City for his signing.

Coentrão, who has played eight times for the Portuguese senior team since being called up by manager Carlos Queiroz, is valued in the region of £5.6 million. It is rumoured that Benfica will demand a significantly higher fee for the services of Coentrão following his impressive performances for his country in South Africa.

The left-back has been praised as a player with good dribbling and crossing skills as well as having a dynamic style of play. Coentrão seemed, at times, to outshine teammate Cristiano Ronaldo during Portugal’s four World Cup matches. His quick burst of pace down the left flank gave Portugal width and greatly aided their attacking style of play.

Manchester City are said to be United’s closest competition in the ongoing race for Coentrão’s signature. The Eastland’s club, who having already signed Spanish midfielder David Silva, will add the Portuguese full-back to their transfer hit list along with Barcelona’s Yaya Toure. The Ivory Coast midfielder is set to join brother Kolo at City in the coming weeks.

The big decision now for Coentrão is the choice between City’s oodles of cash OR United’s Champions League football.
 
He'll go to City if it's a straight choice. He's better than Bridge and worse than Evra so it's a no brainer if he actually wants to play football.

Plus we have Fabio waiting in the wings and John O'Shea as cover so i don't think a left back is a concern of ours at this time.

That being said he's a very talented player and one that has nailed down the left back spot in the World Cup best XI for me.
 
Looked fantastic for Portugal, would be a really good signing, but we don't need him. Hopefully he doesn't join City.
 
A natural left footer who can play on the wing or as fullback, I think he'd be a good buy for us if not a desperately needed one.
 
He'll cost way more than that after this tournament.

We're well stocked for left backs.
 
I am more than happy with the options we have at LB, plus he is likely to command a handsome transfer fee so I can't see Fergie signing him if he is unlikely to play ahead of Evra as the latter is already a better player.
 
Brophs said:
He'll cost way more than that after this tournament.

We're well stocked for left backs.
Click to expand...

Not that it's going to make any difference as he won't be signing for us but we have one natural LB(Evra) and a couple of makeshift LB's; Fabio is naturally right footed as is O'Shea, so where are these LBs we're well stocked with?
 
Inigo Montoya said:
Not that it's going to make any difference as he won't be signing for us but we have one natural LB(Evra) and a couple of makeshift LB's; Fabio is naturally right footed as is O'Shea, so where are these LBs we're well stocked with?
Click to expand...

Do left backs have to be left-footed?

Fabio's natural position is at LB, and O'Shea has played there countless times.
 
Inigo Montoya said:
Not that it's going to make any difference as he won't be signing for us but we have one natural LB(Evra) and a couple of makeshift LB's; Fabio is naturally right footed as is O'Shea, so where are these LBs we're well stocked with?
Click to expand...

Do left backs have to be left-footed?

EDIT: Denis Irwin.

Fabio's natural position is at LB, and O'Shea has played there countless times.
 
Doesn't seem like he'll be going to City as it appears they have pretty much wrapped the deal for Kolarov up.
 
Hope he doesn't sign for City. He has been one of the very few people who have stood out for their national team in this WC. Although, I must admit, I hadn't seen him player before the tournament, but he looks like a very good attacking player.

But we definitely don't need a full back, really looking forward to seeing the Da Silva brothers really breaking into the team next year, although Fabio may have to wait a couple of years to be first choice as no one in the world will knock Patrice out of that position!
 
Brophs said:
Do left backs have to be left-footed?

EDIT: Denis Irwin.

Fabio's natural position is at LB, and O'Shea has played there countless times.
Click to expand...

Actually it isn't really, just that as a youth he played there because both he and Rafael couldn't play right-back, and he was still good on the other side of the pitch.
 
Count Duckula said:
Actually it isn't really, just that as a youth he played there because both he and Rafael couldn't play right-back, and he was still good on the other side of the pitch.
Click to expand...

So he hasn't played there since before his youth team days, if at all?
 
According to Tim Vickery, Fabio can use both feet and showed so in some under 17's tournament for Brazil.
 
Count Duckula said:
Well it all boils down to you how to determine "natural" position. I'd argue it was the one you efortlessly slotted into, not the one you had to make a conscious decision to adapt to.
Click to expand...

I don't really think a player in their early teens has found a 'natural' position. In fact, the idea of having a natural position really boils down to the position you've played most/best in.
 
Why aren't we giving Fabio a run in the first team? He is what 20 years old now? Back in Brazil he was supposedly known as a wonderkid. I hope he will be our left back for the future.
 
RDCR07 said:
And he is actually right footed but plays left back. Back in Brazil he was more highly rated than Rafael.
Click to expand...

At the youth World Cup some years ago, he was also the top goalscorer although playing as a left back
 
RDCR07 said:
And he is actually right footed but plays left back. Back in Brazil he was more highly rated than Rafael.
Click to expand...

Yeah he seems right footed from what we've seen of him. But like I said he must be more than capable of using his left if he can disguise Tim Vickery into not knowing what his best foot was.

Think everyone knows back in Brazil Fabio was higher rated, but it is strange how football works out. Phil was always rated higher than Gary.
 
If SAF ends up signing him, he should put a clause in his contract to turn back into a man by doing something to his hair first. What is up with all these metrosexual footballers these days anyways? Why can't everyone be like Scholes and Gibson?!?
 
Coentrao will surely be in my team of the best players on this wc.... He is a great lb and will be fantastic back up for Evra
 
All very well and good that he is a good player and a great prospect for the future, but there are far more pressing issues at united in terms of playing requirements than at left fullback FFS.
 
Another fullback when we are already at the 25 roster limit with the current squad?

Even if we loan out Diouf/Obertan to make room - think more likely we'll get midfielder/playmaker than another defender.
 
He plays on the left wing for Benfica when I've seen him, I think mostly he has played fullback for Portugal.
 
Is he more of an attacker than a defensive type winger?

If he really is a winger then maybe makes sense but, a winger-cum-fullback we can do without IMO.
 
Escobar said:
At the youth World Cup some years ago, he was also the top goalscorer although playing as a left back
Click to expand...

Which is partly why he is used and enjoys playing at left back because he can cut in on his right foot. He's also scored a number of goals with his head, and even an overhead kick.

One of the reasons that Rafael has made more of an impact so far is obviously because of the differing circumstances at both left and right back over the last few years. But another — at least, this is how it was described — is that Fabio is much more "Brazilian", whereas Rafael is much more European in style. In other words, Fabio is the much more technical player, calm and skillful in possession, whereas Rafael is much more aggressive and direct.
 
ricardinho said:
No he also plays as a left back for Benfica.
Click to expand...

I got this PM from a poster in the newbs.

danny1709 said:
Being a portuguese follower just to help give you a good description.

He is a natural left winger, but this season we had injuries to our left back Peioxoto and our coach just tried him there. He started to play very good and we kept him there for the rest of the season (maybe half). He can play either one though :)
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.