Geovanni in Sven's plans

November 29, 2007

SVEN-Goran Eriksson insists Geovanni still has a big role to play at Manchester City.

The Brazilian midfielder has been used sparingly so far this season - but the Swede says his quality is crucial to the squad.

The former Barcelona man has started only one league match since arriving at Eastlands in the summer - being used primarily as a substitute.

But Eriksson is still convinced the free signing is vital to City's ambitions this term.

"Geovanni is the perfect example of how important the whole squad is because you know that when he plays something will always happen," said the former England boss.

"I think he was on for around half an hour against Reading and he had a good chance to score, a decent shot at goal and the assist for the winning goal - that is not bad for half an hour as a substitute."

"We showed on Saturday when the three substitutes all had a part to play in the winning goal that football is not just an 11-man game."

Geovanni has scored twice so far this season - but Eriksson says he is looking for more than that from his midfield.

"What I am looking for as a coach is not goals specifically from midfield, but good football players," he said.

"I prefer the technically good players to ones who just win tackles. If you have more than one player who can make the difference, who can score the winning goal, who can beat a man one-on-one, I like that kind of football.

"When you watch Ronaldinho for instance even if you are not a fan of Barcelona - which I am not - you can appreciate the show."

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Geovanni One Nil (29/11/2007 at 12:41)

Is there a restriction on the number of none European players. If Sun and Alano are playing can we have Geo on the pitch as well ?

zedgie, "I've got high hopes", Manchester (29/11/2007 at 12:57)

A player of his class should play every week (except when injured!!).

http://www.41andistillhatejadegoody.co.uk, Heaton Misery (29/11/2007 at 12:58)

Well raise my rent. Who'd have thought last season we'd have top drawer players not only in the team but on the bench too.

What film was this off ? - 'My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought whilst cascading through a waterfall of creative alternatives'.

http://www.getKerryKatonaoffthebox.co.uk

The Iceman Cometh, Manchester (29/11/2007 at 13:03)

Rio: Duran Duran:

His name is Geo and he Samba’s with the ball.

Concede a free-kick and he’ll swerve it round your wall.

Oh Geo, Geovanni samba’s to the band.

Taking the mighty City, to the promised land..

proudtobeblue (29/11/2007 at 13:18)

this is disgraceful....Sven prefers technically gifted players who can pick out a pass,score goals and play with flair to a thug/hardman tackler? what are the moaners going to have to ay about that.I mean, who in their right mind would prefer Ronaldinho or Elano to Barton?errrmmmm ME. Isn't it nice to have a manager who see's football as the beautiful game and not a war!

Andrew (29/11/2007 at 13:29)

Good. Quality player!

Spiderman (29/11/2007 at 13:37)

Great news from sven methinks on geovanni great player to have in the squad lets hope he can establish himself?

East Stand, Manchester (29/11/2007 at 13:40)

Good player, am struggling to find a place for him in the team at the minute but if anything happens to Elano this guy is a ready made replacement.

I also like the guys attitude and he is loved by the fans.

Get him signed onto another contract as the last I heard the contract he`s on expires at the end of this year.

Dave021085, Stockport (29/11/2007 at 14:00)

Would like to see more of geo think he's class when he gets a game,

Jerry, Whalley Range., Manchester (29/11/2007 at 14:09)

What a wonderful quote from Sven. It sums up nicely why we are so much happier this season. I doubt Barton would have got much of a look in with Sven whilst the likes of Ireland will thrive. Do you remember all the Sven doubters on this forum in the summer? I'm sure they won't mind admitting they were wrong to judge him on his record with England which incidentally is looking very impressive now!

madMental, Macclesfield (29/11/2007 at 14:12)

He's got to be now Elano's out of the Wigan game.

Spike,, Whitefield (29/11/2007 at 14:16)

Well he must either be a little un-fit or doing something wrong in training if Sven believes he is not worth a start.

Why would you play someone who only arrived back from a long haul flight the day before and risk injury. I would play Elano ahead of Gio but Gio would have scored if he had been on from the start. Maybe it's a contract thing....? But in Sven we must trust and seeing as this is about all I can crow about "Thinks me best shut up"

Bagpuss' XI 1 - City 3

C'MON YOU BEAUTIFUL BLUES...!!!!

citySweden, Sweden (29/11/2007 at 14:18)

good news, hes a class act, and important for us.

and hes attitude doesn`t make things worse either. i rather see him on the pitch instead of some of the players we have been linked too..

M9 Bloke, NY. US. (29/11/2007 at 14:56)

41, dont know about the film but it sounds as though Giles may have had a hand in writing the script.

wayneold, manc (29/11/2007 at 15:07)

After a long stint on Red Dwark, Lister must be tired. Thats why Sven isn't playing him every week

Alec G Moonshiner, Kendal (29/11/2007 at 15:20)

Probably poor eyesight & being up in Level 3 but he always reminds me of Ali B.

Danny - Salford (29/11/2007 at 15:23)

'Who the f!?k is Nani when we've got Geovanni, he's from Brazil, he's f!>kin brill!!!!.

Another song started by the best stand at Eastlands, south lower.

Andy(10), Isle of Man (29/11/2007 at 16:04)

Geo 1-0; There is no limit at the moment and Arse regularly field a team who have no English players, or British for that matter.

Geo deserves to start in Elano's place. He has bags of skill and has not moaned about being on the bench. He is a great squad member, but this week he can shine.

Recently in Italy I met an avid Benfica supporter who said they nicknamed Geo as "Sleepy" as he seemed to be uninvolved then suddenly popped up and scored or assisted a vital goal. He was a particular favourite of the Benfica fans.

CTID

anglo-saxon rcfc, Raleigh, North Carolina, in exile. (29/11/2007 at 16:16)

It must be true about Elano. It can't be for fear of him getting kicked to death.

Big month December.

Come on City!

woolleyback blue, Heart of the City (29/11/2007 at 16:22)

After the news on the City website that Elano is out we’ll need Geovanni at his best. Good omen is the way we played after Elano and Corluka went off against Reading. I hate (again) to say I told you so but I said we shouldn’t have played Elano against Reading. He was obviously tired and it’s so easy to pick up an injury when your like that. I think Geo will do a good job and I think we’ll still beat Wigan.

gwats0n, sheffield (29/11/2007 at 16:31)

Bobbins, Elano out..... I still think he shouldn't of been played on Saturday. he didn't look right from the off??????

cultsevers, davyhulme (29/11/2007 at 17:15)

id like 2 see more of geovanni.hes always looked a threat so far when hes played.provides that brazilian magic.maybe wigans the game 2 unleash him from the start

Bluesue, cheshire (29/11/2007 at 18:24)

Is it just me or does anyone else think geovanni looks like lloyd off corrie?

DJ, Chorlton (29/11/2007 at 18:52)

Geo has all the talent, but not sure about his mental toughness. This has been an issue for years with him. Personally, I think that if we get Bresciano in January then Geo's contract will not be renewed next summer. I think Geo was signed as a stop-gap

IceBlueHelsinki (29/11/2007 at 19:25)

I guess Geo is not Sven's first pick, unless he signs a longer contract with City. Until then he will only be used as a sub in the league. However Geo seems to be in the "first 11" in the FA cup team, so maybe this is his "big role" in the blue shirt.

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