177 replies to this topic

[Juan Mata Dor]

Interesting, looks like he's still open to offers then.

[Blueboy 90]

Palacio is a good player, having watched alot of the Argentine league and cup games it seems they have quite a few young and talented players. Why they would want to go to Real Madrid, for anything but the reason that it's "Real Madrid" is beyond me. Their history of buying stars and not winning anything is evident, and I'm sure that won't change for quite some time.

[hanuma]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writ...gain/index.html

Quote

If you're looking for future megastars, look no further than Gonzalo Higuaín. The 18-year-old Argentine phenom may have a little more than a year of first-team experience under his belt, but he has already shown the potential to become one of the greatest strikers in the world.

Higuaín has been stunning for River Plate this season, and proved his worth with two superb goals in last month's 3-1 victory over archrival Boca Juniors. That display not only helped him become a household name in Argentina, but has also led to envious glances from Europe -- in particular from Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid, a club that is eagerly trying to acquire him.

And his explosion has come just at the right time. Higuaín was born in Brest, France, where his father -- former Argentine legend Jorge Higuaín -- turned on the style for local side Stade Brestois 29.

That birthright means the youngster is entitled to represent either Argentina or France in international play. It's no surprise, then, that each team's respective manager, Alfio Basile and Raymond Domenech, is eager to nab Higuaín with major international competitions on the horizon.

Higuaín's transfer to Real Madrid almost looks like a formality -- he has already posed for photographers while donning the prized white shirt. (As of Tuesday, Real and River hadn't agreed to a transfer fee; River rejected a $13 million offer.) But he's still undecided as to which national-team jersey he'll wear.

I recently sat down to chat with the in-demand striker just before Real's interest in him came to press. We talked about his sudden rise to fame, soccer in his family and the million-dollar question: Argentina or France?

SI.com: At only 18, you're one of River Plate's biggest stars and one of Argentina's brightest prospects. Did you expect to achieve this much success so soon?

Higuaín: No, everything has come so quickly. Things are going well and I'm very happy. Hopefully I can continue with this path.

SI.com: Two goals against Boca in the Superclásico -- what did that mean to you?

Higuaín: It was one of the greatest moments in my life. Since I was a little kid, I dreamed of that. To be able to do it was very nice, so I've been enjoying it to the maximum.

SI.com: River manager Daniel Passarella recently said you're worth no less than $19 million. Does that put more pressure on you to perform?

Higuaín: Well, I'm happy he recognizes that I'm doing my best for the team. It's nice to see that someone of his importance values my work. It may be a bit of pressure, but I take it as a compliment. I have the responsibility to score goals for the club and I hope to continue to do so.

SI.com: Who were your idols when you were growing up?

Higuaín: There was Enzo Francescoli, Ariel Ortega and Marcelo Gallardo. I watched all of these great players, and now, to have some of them as teammates is very special to me.

SI.com: Your father played for both River and Boca, as well as in France. Was that clearly your path growing up?

Higuaín: Yes, I used to watch him a lot. I tried my best to learn as much as possible from him. The life of my entire family revolves around soccer. I think I really didn't have any other choice than to become a soccer player.

SI.com: Your older brother, Federico, plays for Nueva Chicago and is also having a great season. You're neck-and-neck among the league's scoring leaders.

Higuaín: It's nice to see that both of us are doing well. We both play in the same position, so it's a bit of competition between us, but we try not to compare. We are both very happy for each other.

SI.com: If you had the choice, in which European league would you like to play?

Higuaín: I don't prefer any in particular. I like the French, English, German, Italian and Spanish leagues, as they are all very competitive. When I receive an offer, I'll look at it very carefully. I will weigh my options and analyze them with my family and friends.

SI.com: Many have said that your style of play better suits the English game, particularly because of your physical strength.

Higuaín: Yes, I think I could handle the English game. It's a difficult league to play in, but so is the Argentine one. For now, I'm keeping my options wide open.

SI.com: Many have compared you to David Trézéguet, who also has an Argentine father, but chose to play for France, the country of his birth.

Higuaín: Hopefully I can come close to achieving what he has. He has had an excellent career, and I'm happy to have been compared with such a good player. But like I told you, I'm calm, and trying my best to concentrate on doing things right for River.

SI.com: French national-team coach Raymond Domenech is hoping that you will choose to play for Les Bleus. Would you be interested in doing so?

Higuaín: I haven't made up my mind yet. I am aware that both France and Argentina want me to play for them, but it's too soon to make a decision. I'm still young and I'm trying not to think about that at the moment.

SI.com: Meanwhile, Argentina's Alfio Basile is hopeful that you'll make up your mind just in time for next year's Copa América in Venezuela.

Higuaín: That would be nice, but it's much too early to start thinking about. Next year I hope to have a good season, and maybe I will have the opportunity. But for now I haven't made any decision as to who I will play for.

[nona_valente]

Interesting. How many players confidently say they can handle the English league? I mean, when they come from South America, Spain is usually the first country assumed they can handle. Although it could be due to a language thing, too.

But he's donned the white shirt? Might mean it's a done deal, but looking at Mikel's case, might mean it's not.

I've never seen him before, so I can't judge.

[Hilario Coimbra]

Quote

Higuaín: I don't prefer any in particular. I like the French, English, German, Italian and Spanish leagues, as they are all very competitive. When I receive an offer, I'll look at it very carefully. I will weigh my options and analyze them with my family and friends.

SI.com: Many have said that your style of play better suits the English game, particularly because of your physical strength.

Higuaín: Yes, I think I could handle the English game. It's a difficult league to play in, but so is the Argentine one. For now, I'm keeping my options wide open.

Great to see this. Hopefully the powers that be at Chelsea are on the lookout.

[kakaisgreat]

The player has just signed for Real Madrid.

[dooder12]

Doesn't look a wise move. He has Van Nistelrooy, Ronaldo, Raul, Robinho, and Cassano in front of him. Not to mention Soldado. If Robinho decides to leave I hope we pursue him.

[Blueboy 90]

Quote

The player has just signed for Real Madrid.

I know he may not exactly get bundles of opportunities at Chelsea, but.....

[Juan Mata Dor]

BluEbOy90, on Dec 15 2006, 04:06, said:

I know he may not exactly get bundles of opportunities at Chelsea, but.....

Bugger, it's official....He looks a big talent, at least I can watch him for Madrid on tele any way, if he plays that is.

[James Prescott]

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...rm+Higuain+deal

Yep, he's a Madrid player. Yet again we miss out on young talent we are chasing.

If Robinho is available then get him. A Zola dopple if ever I saw one. Given a year to adapt he'd be great for us.

[Michael Tucker]

[quote name='James Prescott' date='Dec 21 2006, 14:42' post='370935']
[url="http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=435398&CPID=23&clid=186&lid=10&title=Real+confirm+Higuain+deal"]http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...rm+Higuain+deal[/url]

> Yet again we miss out on young talent we are chasing.

Other than for unsubstantiated internet rumour, there has been NO indication that Chelsea were chasing him at all, has there? No.
Just like all the other rumoured 'targets' who we don't actually make a bid for.

>If Robinho is available then get him.

Based on how wonderfully successful he's been at Real Madrid, no doubt?

>A Zola dopple if ever I saw one.

Not even close.

>Given a year to adapt he'd be great for us.

How about we try buying someone who doesn't take a 'a year to adapt', for a change? Radical concept, I know, but even so.....

[James Prescott]

Well is there a striker already in England who's available and good enough for Chelsea? Bent? Not good enough. Ashton? Injured. Henry? Unavailable. Walcott? Unavailable. Owen? Not fit.

If fit Owen would fit perfectly into our current system alongside Drogba, but he's not fit.

I've seen Robinho for Madrid and he looks a fabulous talent. Skill, tricks, pace, can finish and play wide. Maybe the Zola comparison was unfair, but he looks good to me. Maybe you've seen him play more often so can make a better judgement, but the games I've seen him in he's looked good.

[Blueboy 90]

Michael Owen is a good choice for me. However I don't think he'll be quite the same as he was two or three years ago. I could be wrong....

I know he's had an injury setback, and hopefully if he doesn't become the 'Johnny Wilkinson' of football, then he'd be a worthile buy. Sadly, I don't see it happening. Should have got him before/after Madrid.

Now look where he's ended up...

[Joao]

Definately... Robinho is such a huge talent who's being wasted on that all-strikers Real Madrid formation. He would fit Chelsea perfectly with his creativity and drible skills.

[Michael Tucker]

James Prescott, on Dec 21 2006, 15:31, said:

Well is there a striker already in England who's available and good enough for Chelsea? Bent? Not good enough. Ashton? Injured. Henry? Unavailable. Walcott? Unavailable. Owen? Not fit.

I didn't say that the striker had to be English, I just said that it'd be nice if he didn't require an entire year to adapt to playing in the Prem. This seems now to have become accepted wisdom on here, as if any striker/player joining an English club will take a season to start playing well, and produce results on the field. I think that it would be quite nice (and far from impossible) to find a striker who can start performing the season he actually arrives. Particularly, if Chelsea are going to spend big money to get him here.

And James, before you again tell me that Drogba took a year to adapt, he didn't. Drogba in his first season scored 16 goals, despite being out injured for 2 months! He also had the second best goals-to-minutes ratio in the Prem League that first season (Henry was first). What he was, was erratic in front of goal - I.e., had his finishing been more clinical, he'd have scored a lot more goals.

Martins is in his first season in the Prem, and has been in terrific form for Newcastle. And there are plenty of other examples.

All I'm trying to say is that it's not (and shouldn't be) a 'given', that new players will underperform in their first season in England. And if you believe that this would apply to Robhino, then I'd prefer us to look elsewhere. Yes, players need to adapt to a different league, but I'm equally sure that there are players out there who won't require a year of excuses to do so.