Giovani dos Santos (from Rumour to Transfer)

[Rupstoh]

From the main site:

Giovani dos Santos has expressed his delight at joining the Club in his first interview since arriving at The Lane.

The 19-year-old Mexican international this week passed a medical and agreed terms to complete his move from Barcelona.

The versatile forward, who has five caps for his country and starred at the 2005 Under-17 World Championships and last year's Under-20 World Cup, is now full of excitement at the start of a new chapter in his career.

Giovani said: "It is a dream for me to come to a big club like Spurs. I've come here to further explore my qualities and give my all for my new team. As a young player I have come to a club where I feel there are many opportunities for me.

"I have been made to feel very welcome since arriving at Spurs and everyone has been very friendly. This is clearly a big club with a lot of ambition, and I can see it growing in the future.

"It is great to see Spurs fans wearing the shirt on the streets of London. I came here because of the passion of the fans as well as the size of the club, and I'm very much looking forward to playing in England."

Head Coach Juande Ramos, is looking forward to working with a player he is a long-term admirer of.

He said: "If Giovani progresses as we hope he will be a terrific player. This is a young player with a lot of potential, whom I have watched for some time and I am delighted he has joined the squad.

"For us it is an exciting signing because he has excellent quality, he operates well in different positions and, above all, is technically excellent."

Sporting Director Damien Comolli added: "Giovani possesses a great combination of physical power and explosivity, along with fine technical skills. He is someone who can create and score goals.

"He is young but not without experience and will be a great asset for the Club. The fact we have a Spanish speaking coaching staff, as well as Gilberto, will help him adapt, settle quickly and I believe he has the skills to be successful in England."

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/giovanicompletesmove100608.html

 

[bas]

Gio Dos Santos WOW !!

I have just watched Dos Santos on YouTube and I suggest you have a look. We have secured a diamond. The boy is terrific on the ball, scores goals, beats opponents, a bit greedy but take that away and you may have a lesser player. But the icing on the cake is the fact that he is LEFT FOOTED !! I cant believe that we have got him instead of any of the top four (presumably Ramos influence counted) and wonder why Barcelona let him go? I can imagine him and Bale causing mayhem to opposition defences next year down the left - which was often our weak side. He is being heralded as the new Ronaldinho not just by the press but by fellow players. If you dont believe me go to You Tube and enjoy !! I cant wait for the season to start as we seem to be getting a proper "Spurs" side together.

 

[yawa]

Probably as they have Messi and Bojan who play in similar roles and who are both ahead of Dos santos.

Also all players are similar height etc so if they played them all they would be fairly 1 dimensional.

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

He is not that good. I watch a lot of la liga and saw about 20 Barca games last season. He is very talented, but still lacks many things. I've seen him play quite horribly for Barcelona where he was being greedy, losing possession and simply not in the game. Bojan for an example is progressing much faster. You say Gio scores goals, but at Barcelona he hasn't proved himself as a goalscorer, only 4 goals in 38 appearances (3 of which came in the same game).

That said, I do believe Gio has the potential to be a really good player. And he is good now, but some fans think we've signed Zidane or Messi. We also have to take that into account if he doesn't set the world alight in the first couple of games for us. We have to give him time, he's only 19 and not the finished article.

(in response to the post by bas, thread was moved)...

 

[Don_Felipe]

I'm remembering how excited I got from watching youtube clips last summer of KPB... and hoping that our next three lettered superstar doesn't let us down - I just hope that we don't heap too much pressure on him from the start... it will probably take him a little while to settle in.

 

[milkman]

I'm remembering how excited I got from watching youtube clips last summer of KPB... and hoping that our next three lettered superstar doesn't let us down - I just hope that we don't heap too much pressure on him from the start... it will probably take him a little while to settle in.

lets hope that Gio is better and is more successful than KPB!! :razz:

 

[Hoowl]

New Tottenham signing Giovani Dos Santos, 19, has revealed he turned down Man United, Chelsea and Ajax to sign at White Hart Lane from Barcelona. "I also had good offers [from them], but I loved Juande Ramos' ideas. I am going to do great things with the Spurs," he said. (Setanta Sports, 1110)

 

[kishman]

That's what they all say!!




Well only Didier Zokora.

 

[C0YS]

yeah sure may it be true, but I think us garantining him a certain amount of games helped!!

 

[mil1lion]

Giovani: Tottenham also wanted to sign my brother

Giovani dos Santos has revealed Tottenham tried to also sign his brother, Jonathan, from Barcelona.

"Yes, it's true," revealed the Mexican attacker. "But 'Jona' will stay with Barcelona. It will be a way to stay connected to the club, which has given me so much."

Shame we couldn't get him aswell. He looks a top player. Not surprised Barca wanted to keep him though. Maybe they'll meet one day in the Champions League.

 

[Danny1]

There were rumours from ITK's about his younger brother when we were in the processes of signing Gio, and I must admit it is a shame we havent signed "Jona" as he is meant to be even more talented than his older brother!!

It will be good to see Gio in action, roll on Pre-Season!!!!

 

[yanno]

Aside from the obvious - Murcia were shite - he said that it was the first time all season that he had got to play as a number ten - in the centre - and not out on the wing where he does not like playing and is not comfortable, he likes to be in the centre and just behind a striker. Anyway, in MD today, after being asked what was the problem with him at FCB, he was asked "what can we expect of GDS at Tottingham" - he said "At Spurs I will be playing as a number ten...my preferred position"

Petyr -thanks for providing a link to Gio's quote, which does indeed back up your point. :up:

I watched that Murcia game, and GDS was playing the Deco or Iniesta role for Barca, ie as a CM with licence to get forward. It wasn't a classic Number Ten role, but given Barca's unusual 4-3-3 formation, I can see what Gio was saying.

It's very interesting that he states he prefers to play centrally rather than on the flanks. I still expect him to play as a wide midfielder quite a bit. However, if Juande has told him he will also be playing centrally, that does indeed have huge implications for our formation and our squad.

Imo Gio isn't experienced enough yet to play as the CM playmaker in a 4-4-2 in a league as fast and physical as the EPL. And in any case, Luka Modric has much more experience playing the Fabregas role in a 4-4-2.

A classic Number Ten role in our 4-4-2, would be in Berba's position, with Berba becoming the most advanced striker. Actually, I do think Gio could play with Berba. I don't think he would be as good a match playing with Keano, especially since he's about as naff in the air as Robbie.

If Gio is going to play as a second (or even first striker), and Berba leaves, then I think he would need to be played with a physical player like Diego Milito, or even just potentially with Darren Bent as the striker playing on the shoulder of the last defender.

However, if Keano has heard that Juande is considering occasionally playing Dos Santos with Berba, and Liverpool definitely want him, then it is just possible that he is considering a move to the Scousers.

Far more likely though imo, is that Dos Santos will mature and develop into a Number Ten over the course of two or three seasons, but will start next season primarily as a wide midfielder. And therefore there's no reason for Robbie to worry about not being first choice next season.

 

[mitch8the8spur]

would honestly start him over keane?

 

[bubble07]

"Giovani has everything to be a success at Tottenham. He has speed and can change the course of a game with his genius. He can in two, three or four years be one of the best players in the world if he wants”

Quoted from that twat Henry (yes his still a twat)

 

[alextheyid]

so your saying he'l take time..or do you think he'l be just as effective as a wide man..or slightly less so but better than what we're used to..?

 

[alextheyid]

Don Juande Ramos sez:

"If Giovani progresses as we hope he will be a terrific player. This is a young player with a lot of potential, whom I have watched for some time and I am delighted he has joined the squad.

"For us it is an exciting signing because he has excellent quality, he operates well in different positions and, above all, is technically excellent."

--------------------------

I entirely agree, and it's interesting that Ramos mentions Gio's versatility. Dos Santos has fantastic technique, and I suspect Juande will use him on both flanks and occasionally down the middle.

Ultimately its the technique which is so exciting.. just hope he's got the strength and work ethic too!:razz:

 

[michaelden]

Henry hails Dos Santos

Arsenal legend salutes Spurs' summer signing

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_3800970,00.html

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has tipped new Tottenham signing Giovani dos Santos to become one of the world's leading players.
France international Henry and Dos Santos were both on the books of Barcelona before the Mexican teenager agreed a £4.7million move to White Hart Lane this summer.
And Henry has seen enough of the youngster to believe that with the correct level of application he can go on to star for Spurs in the Premier League.
Genius

Henry told the Daily Express: "Giovani has everything to be a success at Tottenham.
"He has speed and can change the course of a game with his genius.
"He can in two, three or four years be one of the best players in the world if he wants."

 

[Yid-ol]

Herny is a big twat and will always be a gooner, but for him to say that this kid must have alot of class and could really be a great player.... cant wait to see him in action playing for us now!!!

 

[michaelden]

I wonder if playing and training with Dos Santos will improve Taarabt's game?

 

[van_Pommel]

Gio with Bale in the pics again. Those two must have hit it off!

I'm so excited about Gio, I'm convinced he's gonna be a star. Just put him in my fantasy team for next season, a bit of a gamble maybe but it could well pay off.