More on Tardelli

The Diego Tardelli rumour has got a boost over the last few days, thanks to Martin Samuel's decision to devote almost the first half of his 2,000 words to City's alleged pursuit of the Atlético Mineiro man on Monday. Samuel used the article to contrast Tardelli with Robinho, making the point that City were a step down for Robinho when he left Real Madrid - hence his attitude problems in blue - while it would be a step up for Tardelli:

Hughes may feel City do not need another striker, even if Robinho leaves in January. If he is interested in Tardelli he will no doubt have seen more than one game, and it may have been a poorer performance than he turned in against Sao Paulo. Yet whether Tardelli is the man is immaterial; he is the sort of man that Manchester City should be targeting, because to come to the club would be better than playing in deserted stadia in an inferior league.

It's an interesting point - it's certainly worth reading the whole thing. Martin Samuel writes very interestingly about City, largely thanks to the fact that he's not in the knee-jerk 'money ruins football' party. I'm still not convinced that Tardelli is a genuine target, because he is so at odds with what Mark Hughes looks for in a player. He has twice come to Europe - loan spells at PSV Eindhoven and Real Betis - and twice failed, and twice returned to his comfort zone in the Brazilian league.

The peerless Pitaco do gringo blog has also written about Tardelli, saying that he could well emulate Luís Fabiano:

Comparisons can be made between the two [Tardelli and Fabiano]. Both picked up a reputation for petulance – especially whilst playing for São Paulo – and both got more than their fair share of yellow and red cards. Tardelli’s spells in Europe have not been that impressive. But neither was Fabiano’s stint at Rennes were he appeared 11 times and failed to score. When he returned to Brazil, Fabiano started banging in the goals (62 in 84 games to be exact). After three seasons, he made the move to Porto and has not looked back since. Tardelli has put away 35 goals so far this year. Admittedly, the majority of those have come in some iffy competitions such as the Campeonato Mineiro and Copa do Brasil. But 15 in the Brasileiro is not a bad haul for a 24-year-old.

If Pitaco do gringo says that Tardelli can be the next Fabiano then that's pretty high praise. Fabiano's record at club level is very good (49 in 107 in La Liga), but I'm quite sure that he is the most effective striker in international football at the moment. Not only does he do the Emile Heskey job so well, allowing Kaká, Robinho, Elano to play, but he also scores goals: nine in the qualifiers (the second most in CONMEBOL) as well as winning the golden boot with five at the recent Confederations Cup. When Adebayor throws a strop and leaves I can't think of a better replacement than this guy.

So if Tardelli is going to be that good maybe he is worth a second look.

City linked with Tardelli

An interesting story in the Daily Mirror today - City are apparently interested in signing Atlético Mineiro's striker Diego Tardelli:

The Brazilian media claim City scout Mike Rigg has been to see Atletico Mineiro striker Tradelli who is 14 goal top scorer in the Brazilian League.

Tardelli, 24, who has won two full caps for Brazil, is regarded as one of the country’s best prospects and French club St Etienne tried to sign him in the summer.

It is believed Rigg watched Tardelli score in Mineiro’s 2-1 win over Baruepi and the striker is being tipped to make Brazil’s World Cup squad next summer.

Of course, the first thing to point out is that 'the Brazilian media' does not really tell us much as to the story's veracity. But I'm pretty incredulous about this. It just doesn't sound like a Hughes signing. Ever since the takeover, Hughes has fetishised top six Premier League experience (there's a long blogpost on this I've been meaning to write for some time - it is coming, I promise). Shay Given, Craig Bellamy, Wayne Bridge, Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz (well, top seven), Carlos Tévez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Touré, Joleon Lescott and Sylvinho have all got it. The one exception - Nigel de Jong - was only signed after we failed to get Scott Parker (and Lassana Diarra - thanks to Alan in the comments).

So for Hughes to go and pick a striker who plays in the Brazilian league - who has come to Europe and failed twice - does not sit right. With the premium Hughes places on experience and professionalism I just can't see him going for someone still playing in Brazil at the age of 25. It's not like we're on the hunt for bargains.