Harry can feel vindicated over Dos Santos move

Date: 15th March 2010 at 2:51 pm
Written by Sefa Atay

As his number came up on the substitute’s board in the 62nd minute of Galatasaray’s 3-0 win over Ankaragucu, the Turkish commentators joked ‘I don’t think I’ve even said his name so far’.

Yet again, Giovani Dos Santos had failed to impress. The team may be top of the league, and he may have just been substituted with Cimbom 2-0 up, but it is no secret that Giovani Dos Santos is currently going about his business in the shadows of Jo, Elano and Milan Baros. In fact, Baros has been out for nearly 5 months and he still managed to score in his cameo appearance. Something that will undoubtedly have pleased the Galatasaray fans more than Dos Santos has been able to in any of his six appearances so far.

So what is wrong with Gio? Well I don’t think anybody really knows. Having started his career at Barcelona and impressed alongside players such as Ronaldinho, whom many believed he was the successor to, the Mexican winger’s career has nose-dived since he left the Camp Nou.

After joining Tottenham, he showed signs of brilliance but not on a consistent enough basis to merit a starting spot. He languished in the reserve team until Harry Redknapp let him go on a 6-month loan deal to Galatasaray and more importantly, allowed him to be reunited with former manager Frank Rijkaard.

So was Redknapp right to let him go?

Even with Rijkaard, the manager whom he flourished under at Barca, the Mexican is struggling to recapture his form. Now, I don’t like to jump to conclusions straight away, but he really doesn’t seem to be capable of doing what he did some years ago in the red and blue of Barcelona. At Barca he was entertaining, sharp and full of ideas. At Galatasaray he is coasting in a league where he could become king. Of course he may be lacking match practice. After all he has spent over a year playing primarily reserve team football and may have his lost some of his self-confidence and sharpness. He should be given time, everybody knows how confidence can change a player but the critics do have their reservations.

Turkey is similar to La Liga in terms of the time you get on the ball. In England the game is faster and opponents challenge your every move. However, it must be said that the standard in Turkey is lower than that of Spain. If Dos Santos cannot find his feet in the Turkish Super Lig then he may struggle to find it anywhere in Europe. He is playing for a team who seem destined to lift the League title at the end of the season and around players who have played at the highest level throughout their careers. Whether Harry was right to let him go is still questionable, what is for sure though is that Dos Santos must start proving himself from now on or it will not only be his club future that is in doubt, but his place at the World Cup as well.

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20 Comments

Comments pages: 1 2
  • jj says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    well… wheras based on the last match this article may be justified, if you watch the highlights of him in the match b4 this u will quickly change ure tune because he actually played very well

    Reply

    says: well... wheras based on the last match this article may be justified, if you watch the highlights of him in the match b4 this u will quickly change ure tune because he actually played very well
    jj
  • jj says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
    says: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3DjR97xETg
    jj
  • Saulo says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    How about a little research mate!!! Last game against Kasimpasa he set up 3 goals, fans were cheering his name and he got a standing ovation. I’m not even going to mention what he has done with Mexico’s national team. Reality is that Harry will not play any player he doesn’t like, regardless of his level of skill. Just look at Pav’s situation!!!

    Reply

    says: How about a little research mate!!! Last game against Kasimpasa he set up 3 goals, fans were cheering his name and he got a standing ovation. I'm not even going to mention what he has done with Mexico's national team. Reality is that Harry will not play any player he doesn't like, regardless of his level of skill. Just look at Pav's situation!!!
    Saulo
  • Sean says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 4:15 pm

    I don’t want to sound too prejudicial, but I don’t thinik he is ‘hungry’ enough. His father was a pro-footballer, and I think somewhere along the way, along with having a relatively wealthy upbringing, he just hasn’t quite figured out in the footballing world, having talent isn’t enough, he also has to work his gonads off.

    Reply

    says: I don't want to sound too prejudicial, but I don't thinik he is 'hungry' enough. His father was a pro-footballer, and I think somewhere along the way, along with having a relatively wealthy upbringing, he just hasn't quite figured out in the footballing world, having talent isn't enough, he also has to work his gonads off.
    Sean
  • UltraAslan says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 6:10 pm

    Dos Santos has not played good. Maybe 3 assist against Kasimpasa has let in the 3rd most goals in the league. Against Denizli he did nothing and again this week against Ankaragucu. He will never be better than Arda and Keita so he will only play in small game

    Reply

    says: Dos Santos has not played good. Maybe 3 assist against Kasimpasa has let in the 3rd most goals in the league. Against Denizli he did nothing and again this week against Ankaragucu. He will never be better than Arda and Keita so he will only play in small game
    UltraAslan
  • LondonTK says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 6:18 pm

    Duno what match you were watching Saolo but against Kasimpasa he only set up the last goal which was a counter attack in stoppage time against a team who’d had a defender sent off. How bout you check your facts before you start putting people down!

    Reply

    says: Duno what match you were watching Saolo but against Kasimpasa he only set up the last goal which was a counter attack in stoppage time against a team who'd had a defender sent off. How bout you check your facts before you start putting people down!
    LondonTK
  • Ed says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 7:02 pm

    What a joke of a article,Obviously you havent watched any of the game’s as Gio is slowly starting to get back to form..

    Reply

    says: What a joke of a article,Obviously you havent watched any of the game's as Gio is slowly starting to get back to form..
    Ed
  • anon says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 7:50 pm

    It’s called lack of match fitness

    Reply

    says: It's called lack of match fitness
    anon
  • Ted says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    What do you expect him to start scoring hat trick’s after sitting for so long on the sideline’s at the joke of a club called tottenham?!Hope he never return’s to that lil spurs club,top for team?!lol what a joke that arry is

    Reply

    says: What do you expect him to start scoring hat trick's after sitting for so long on the sideline's at the joke of a club called tottenham?!Hope he never return's to that lil spurs club,top for team?!lol what a joke that arry is
    Ted
  • RICH G says:
    Date: March 15th, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    ted ….are u retarded? your obviously a gooner because u cant spell, go and wank over kiddies with arsene u nonce

    Reply

    says: ted ....are u retarded? your obviously a gooner because u cant spell, go and wank over kiddies with arsene u nonce
    RICH G
Comments pages: 1 2

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