|
KARPIN: THERE IS NO PLAYERS LIKE WELLITON IN RUSSIA
The general director and head coach of Spartak
Valeriy Karpin talked about his Brazilian player Welliton leading the
top-scorers race with 15 goals after 19 weeks of the Premier League.
| |
|
|
Valeriy Karpin and Welliton (R) / Photo SPORT
EXPRESS
|
"I think that everybody can see with the naked eye
the strong points of Welliton," said the coach of the Red-Whites.
"First of all it is his ability to leave himself open - probably
it is inborn - and high speed."
"Despite his relatively not large height the Brazilian plays well
with his head - because of his powerful muscles he can jump so high even
professional jumpers should be envious."
"I am not at all surprised with his firing speed. Whom should we
expect such a result if not from a forward?"
"It would be a revelation if the defender Stranzl have scored fifteen
goals or midfielders Sabitov and Kovalchuk."
"From strikers of my time I think Dmitriy Radchenko is similar to
Welliton. He could also get away from guardians."
"I do not know why people say that Brazilians are capricious. All
people are different: in Spain for example they called Russians capricious."
"I think that every 20-year old young man will have certain problems
in a faraway foreign country. But the striker has fully adapted to Russia."
"At the moment there is no a single complaint towards him - on the
contrary we only enjoy his play. And on the pitch Welliton is a real warrior."
"Actually euphoria can seize anybody even the player who usually
is not amenable to it. But the Brazilian has no such manifestations."
"Officially there are no offers to purchase Welliton in the club.
There were many talks but all of them are senseless - Welliton is not
to be sold at the moment."
"I think the sum of 100 millions will change our minds. But only
depending on the club. After all Manchester United also conceded to sell
Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a record-breaking sum of money."
"In the Russian championship there are no forwards like Welliton.
And not only here, one can count such high-classed players on one hand."
EXPERTS COMMENT: WHO CAN CATCH UP WITH WELLITON?
After 19 weeks of the Russian Premier League
Spartak man Welliton heads the top scorers race. And Sport Express talked
to current and former players about the phenomenon of the Brazilian.
| |
|
|
Welliton / Photo SPORT EXPRESS
|
1. 15 goals in 18 played games is a phenomenal result for
a player from the Russian League. How did Welliton manage to reach such
a result?
Oleg Veretennikov, best scorer in the history of the Russian championships:
Because this year Spartak began to improve. The two last goals of Welliton
to Terek are quite illustrative: he scored at close range first with the
leg and then with the head orchestrating efforts of his partners after
wonderful combinations. But I should not underestimate the merit of the
striker himself: it is very difficult to be in due time in right place.
Sergey Kiryakov, ex-forward of Dynamo and Russian national team: First
of all he achieved this because of his individual features that help Welliton
to score alone sometimes. Secondly I can underline the perfect cooperation
with his compatriot Alex: the Sunday's two goals against Terek is a good
illustration to this. Thirdly, the team is on the go now. Spartak rapidly
turns defence into attack, wings work perfectly, Bystrov gained excellent
form, young Yakovlev appeared: It is pure pleasure for a forward to play
in such atmosphere.
Alexandr Pavlenko, midfielder of Spartak: Because of the high speed he
can break into the penalty area and face the goalie by himself. His instinct
helps him to outstrip his opponents.
Vasiliy Berezutskiy, defender of CSKA: Spartak shows now an attacking
football creating many scoring chances in every match. Welliton has a
good instinct to be in right place in right time. He has many chances
every week and a lot of them he converts. Moreover I can add that most
of hid goals Welliton scored against the outsiders. Playing against weaker
opponents Spartak always has an advantage.
2. Try to estimate in percentage his individual mastery and results of
good play of the team.
Veretennikov: Without mastery you cannot score a lot. I think 80% I give
to his individual skills and 20% - to the teamplay.
Kiryakov: 60% to team actions and 40% to Welliton's individual features.
Pavlenko: we cannot divide the first from the second. Welliton can excellently
get from his guardians and this let his teammates pass to him.
Berezutskiy: 50-50.
3. Is anybody able to catch up with the Brazilian in the scorers' race?
Veretennikov: I think that all three players following Welliton have chances
to do this. Dominguez and Bukharov play for Rubin that is also on the
go now as well as Spartak. Moreover Bukharov has a strong motivation after
he was capped for the national team. I think that Kerzhakov also would
not give in without a struggle. Personally I will support Russians in
this race.
Kiryakov: If Welliton will keep on playing this way nobody will ever catch
up with him. Pursuers? Kerzhakov has recently eased up. Probably Bukharov
of Rubin will create a chase. And Vagner Love is probably long enough
thinking about some European club.
Pavlenko: Main opponents are Bukharov and Kerzhakov.
Berezutskiy: I think that this year nobody will be able to catch up with
Welliton. Probably only I will:. it is a joke.
4. How many goals will Welliton score this season?
Veretennikov: 20 or a bit more.
Kiryakov: In the 11 matchdays left I think he can score 5-6 goals for
sure. Of course we want him to reach a 25-goal border but it is very difficult.
I think figures 20-22 are most real.
Pavlenko: At least 20. Though I think he will overtop this bar.
Berezutskiy: How many goals does he have now? 15? Then he will have 16
at the end.
5. Will such a scorer stay in Russia for a long time with such results?
Veretennikov: I don't know. But if Spartak plans to return to the European
Cups and play on high level there it is senseless to sell Welliton. Though
the Brazilian can show off so brightly that Spartak will get a not-rejectable
offer.
Kiryakov: Of course Spartak will do everything to keep him in the team.
To buy such a forward is great luck that does not happen every year. The
only option the Red-Whites would not stand is a super-proposal from a
serious club.
Pavlenko: That depends on the management. To set high tasks and reach
big results the team needs such players.
Berezutskiy: I think he can leave even this winter. After a successful
championship Spartak will obviously have good offers on Welliton so they
will get a chance to profitably sell the player.
Sport
Express Daily, 25 Aug 2009
|
|
