Liverpool starlet Joao Teixeira is the latest young player to receive the customary Anfield overhype treatment, and after being labelled 'outstanding' by Brendan Rodgers last week, Reds legend Ian St. John has gone one step further, and compared his impact to that of Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.
Discussing Teixeira's recent debut against Fulham, St. John - a giant of the Bill Shankly era - praised the Portuguese attacker's 'great movement', and further enthused:
"We’ve just witnessed the emergence of a really good kid.
"I remember watching Wayne Rooney’s debut, and Texeira reminds me of that.
"He didn’t look phased, and got stuck in as well which is where some young players can be found out. He looks like he’s got real quality"
Teixeira had a decent debut. He looked composed on the ball, and made (mostly) good decisions with his passing, but if you listen to the hyperbole being spouted by some people, it sounds like Teixeira put in an unforgettable, world class performance, which just isn't true. Such exaggeration doesn't help the Portuguese at all, but after the game, he appeared level-headed about his debut. He told reporters:
"It was great, I'm really happy. I'd like to thank the boss and my team-mates for helping me improve. I wasn't nervous; I had confidence, so I came on, and did my best".
There's no point getting carried away. In the last few years, several similar players have tried and failed to establish themselves in LFC's first team. Dani Pacheco, for example. There's also Luis Alberto (missing from the first team squad for the last two games); and, of course, Suso, who got farmed out on loan despite playing well last year.
Is Teixeira any better than Suso? I've seen both play countless times for LFC's youth teams, but in terms of quality and potential, I don't see much difference. As such, expect to see Teixeira out on loan at some point over the next six months.
The Rooney comparison is flattering, but let's just hope that football ability is the only thing Teixeira has in common with Man United's £30m-rated thug.
Author: Jaimie K
Discussing Teixeira's recent debut against Fulham, St. John - a giant of the Bill Shankly era - praised the Portuguese attacker's 'great movement', and further enthused:
"We’ve just witnessed the emergence of a really good kid.
"I remember watching Wayne Rooney’s debut, and Texeira reminds me of that.
"He didn’t look phased, and got stuck in as well which is where some young players can be found out. He looks like he’s got real quality"
Teixeira had a decent debut. He looked composed on the ball, and made (mostly) good decisions with his passing, but if you listen to the hyperbole being spouted by some people, it sounds like Teixeira put in an unforgettable, world class performance, which just isn't true. Such exaggeration doesn't help the Portuguese at all, but after the game, he appeared level-headed about his debut. He told reporters:
"It was great, I'm really happy. I'd like to thank the boss and my team-mates for helping me improve. I wasn't nervous; I had confidence, so I came on, and did my best".
There's no point getting carried away. In the last few years, several similar players have tried and failed to establish themselves in LFC's first team. Dani Pacheco, for example. There's also Luis Alberto (missing from the first team squad for the last two games); and, of course, Suso, who got farmed out on loan despite playing well last year.
Is Teixeira any better than Suso? I've seen both play countless times for LFC's youth teams, but in terms of quality and potential, I don't see much difference. As such, expect to see Teixeira out on loan at some point over the next six months.
The Rooney comparison is flattering, but let's just hope that football ability is the only thing Teixeira has in common with Man United's £30m-rated thug.
Author: Jaimie K
I cant get his performance out of my head, I don't think I've ever seen a better debut. Clearly he WILL become on of the best players in the world.
ReplyDeleteFunny that I saw someone who looked a bit like Tex hanging round the post office on pension day.................. No I was just getting some stamps......
ReplyDeleteHe made a fine debut, but who can he oust in the first 11, ?.
ReplyDeleteAnother youngster doing well is Ilori, have a look at his 60yard pass for the winner in Granada's 1 - 0 win at the weekend. I seen it on 101great goals.
Should have played the full game yesterday.
ReplyDeleteAnd who has spent 2 years telling you all - me - job done no need now to use this and other sites.
ReplyDeletehad he played the last 30 mins we would have won.
ReplyDeleteJaimie, he wasn't saying his debut was on par with Rooney's. He's simply stating that there was some elements of Texeira in his debut that were very reminiscent of what Rooney displayed in his first Everton game. That's all!
ReplyDeleteIbe capture my attention more compared on debut ONLY !!!!
ReplyDelete"Liverpool legend" the records stuck Jamie wont let facts get in the way of a doctored story.
ReplyDeletespot on sir.
ReplyDeletehe has played better than that in every game I have seen - you have seen nothing yet.
ReplyDeleteEh wha?
ReplyDeleteWe'll see. From that clip I don't see anything really exceptional other than that he plays freely and has the nerve to shoot and pass where other youngsters are a bit too modest sometimes. He displays confidence.
ReplyDeleteLFC's 4-3-3...Texeira CM suso RM coutinho ATM... Ibe LWF Sterling RWF Sturridge CF
ReplyDeletewow LFC's Future
BR woke up too late, should have used tex way earlier especially in cups, now we have just 12 games left and every of them is like a final, obviously the reserves like tex wont play much part in it, unless we win by four goals in half time every game! Such a shame because he would have been a hit this season after suso and assaidi leaving, now hes probably going on loan in summer and do well there and leave lfc permanently, but who cares we ve got joe allen!
ReplyDeleteJaimie I enjoy this site and would say I agree with you about 60% of the time, however I do find you seem to become fixated on certain subjects, over praise for young players being one of them. I agree with you to an extent however I feel that the vast majority of our young players have come on leaps and bounds under Rodgers. Sterling, flanno, hendo etc have gone from having potential, to vital first team players so tbh I'm quite comfortable with how our man management techniques
ReplyDeleteCan't we find room in that midfield for a little girl to win the ball back? Cause none of those 3 will!
ReplyDeleteNick, where in the article did I say that Teixeira's talent is 'on a par' with Rooney's?
ReplyDeleteSt. John said Tex's debut reminded him of Rooney's impact in his first game, and that's exactly what I've stated.
Clearly you haven't been paying attention to Coutinho recently.
ReplyDeleteCrazy! Ridiculous to get expectations up at this stage. He'll be 23 before we know his quality, if he's anything like most midfielders, but he does have promise -- that's all though!
ReplyDeleteI will probably get pulverised, but Flanno is not the answer, IMO, we need better there, a true GJ, would be fine, but is he playing contract games, if so, then I would settle for Flanno or Kelly.
ReplyDeleteNo you didn't say that, but I was getting the impression, that you interpreted him as implying it WAS on par with Rooney. I think he was just saying that there was aspects of his game that were like Rooney's debut, while he himself wasn't established. If he's just saying that, then IMO there isn't too much to be fussed about
ReplyDeleteI know what you're saying about flanno. All I mean is, he's a more than capable back up fb. He doesn't give me the fear now like he did his first run in the team. All I mean is that he along with most of our youngsters are developing nicely IMO so I don't get the constant questioning of Rodgers man management. As far as I can see it would appear to be excellent
ReplyDeleteHe reminds me of a young C.Ronaldo mixed with Messi and a little bit of Stevie G but has that G.Buffon about him to let me know he's gonna be around for a long time and save us.
ReplyDeleteClearly im not over reacting.......im mean that would just be crazy....hahahaHAHAHAHAHA DONT JUDGE ME!
It's good to have these young players around the first team, showing lots of promise and getting a few chances. The hard reality is that very few of them will make it. I'd say if we get one of these crop of young players come through as a first team regular we should be happy with that.
ReplyDeleteGood talent but I agree the hypes gone a bit over board.
ReplyDeleteIt's not often that I get excited about debut performances, as there is a ridiculous amount of media hype around young players that make decent starts, but Teixeira bossed the game when he came on. His confidence was a joy to behold, and it seems to be a confidence borne of skill. I hope he has a good career for LFC. He's older than Alberto, so it sort of makes sense that he's breaking into the first team now. More power to the guy.
ReplyDeleteyeah they need one powerful defensive midfeilder....... but all those are technically gifted
ReplyDelete