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
  • wayne king says:
    Date: March 16th, 2010 at 12:18 am

    Saulo, you’re an ignorant fool!

    Reply

    says: Saulo, you're an ignorant fool!
    wayne king
  • Cris says:
    Date: March 16th, 2010 at 12:23 am

    I admit he hasn’t been in top form yet for Galatasaray but I think it’s a bit premature to count him out already. I expect the writer of this blog to be eating his words come World Cup time

    Reply

    says: I admit he hasn't been in top form yet for Galatasaray but I think it's a bit premature to count him out already. I expect the writer of this blog to be eating his words come World Cup time
    Cris
  • peterballb says:
    Date: March 16th, 2010 at 2:13 am

    I’ve watched him 5 times since his loan started and can say that I was very impressed twice, impressed once and left wanting twice. The thing is, in the two games he was subbed, he really never had the ball so it’s pretty hard to judge his performance which was the reason the commentator hadn’t called out his name. Jo, on the other hand has looked terrible in three of the five matches I’ve watched. BTW, I think Gio has either 4 or 5 assists since his loan started and in 6 app that’s not too shabby. Rijkaard is a top manager and would not have taken him if he thought there was no point. COYS

    Reply

    says: I've watched him 5 times since his loan started and can say that I was very impressed twice, impressed once and left wanting twice. The thing is, in the two games he was subbed, he really never had the ball so it's pretty hard to judge his performance which was the reason the commentator hadn't called out his name. Jo, on the other hand has looked terrible in three of the five matches I've watched. BTW, I think Gio has either 4 or 5 assists since his loan started and in 6 app that's not too shabby. Rijkaard is a top manager and would not have taken him if he thought there was no point. COYS
    peterballb
  • Reykoliman says:
    Date: March 16th, 2010 at 6:20 am

    Since when do spazzos cover international footie? Stick to covering the MLS..

    Reply

    says: Since when do spazzos cover international footie? Stick to covering the MLS..
    Reykoliman
  • T says:
    Date: March 16th, 2010 at 1:40 pm

    his partying lifestyle has been well documented and i think it plays a part in his current form. He can still be a great player.

    Reply

    says: his partying lifestyle has been well documented and i think it plays a part in his current form. He can still be a great player.
    T
  • nicky read says:
    Date: March 16th, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    What reserve side has he been playing in? Spurs havent got one

    Reply

    says: What reserve side has he been playing in? Spurs havent got one
    nicky read
  • Juan from L.A. says:
    Date: March 16th, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    This guy is a tool of the Mexican press and its fans. He has one single move in his arsenal which is move forward and then cut and shoot. That’s it. Nothing magnificent. But don’t tell that to Mexican fanatics.

    Reply

    says: This guy is a tool of the Mexican press and its fans. He has one single move in his arsenal which is move forward and then cut and shoot. That's it. Nothing magnificent. But don't tell that to Mexican fanatics.
    Juan from L.A.
  • Ed says:
    Date: March 17th, 2010 at 1:58 am

    John from L.A well the US couldnt stop him in both game’s yet they know all his ‘tool’s'?!Idiot..

    Reply

    says: John from L.A well the US couldnt stop him in both game's yet they know all his 'tool's'?!Idiot..
    Ed
  • Luis says:
    Date: March 20th, 2010 at 6:29 am

    Gio2santos needs time and confidence from his coach frank that he can be the best and Can make a difference in mexicos national team if he wants hopefully he well succeed and be he first Mexican to win the Turkish league n for juan from la can swallow This nuts u fake ass tool coming from a real nigga

    Reply

    says: Gio2santos needs time and confidence from his coach frank that he can be the best and Can make a difference in mexicos national team if he wants hopefully he well succeed and be he first Mexican to win the Turkish league n for juan from la can swallow This nuts u fake ass tool coming from a real nigga
    Luis
  • Joel says:
    Date: March 22nd, 2010 at 11:38 am

    Juan From LA is a Central American butthurt faggot. Notice how they take the time to comment on a player they despise merely because of the fact that he’s Mexican. A combination of bitterness, and stone cold jealousy because their teams suck even harder than Mexico at its suckiest.

    Pathetic really.

    Reply

    says: Juan From LA is a Central American butthurt faggot. Notice how they take the time to comment on a player they despise merely because of the fact that he's Mexican. A combination of bitterness, and stone cold jealousy because their teams suck even harder than Mexico at its suckiest. Pathetic really.
    Joel
Comments pages: 1 2

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