Sven backs Castillo to come good

Chris Bailey

January 18, 2008

INJURY BLOW: Nery Castillo is stretchered off

NERY Castillo is still on track to make a big impact on the Premier League despite an injured shoulder, which is expected to keep the Mexican out for five to six weeks.

Sven-Goran Eriksson is not worried about Castillo's lack of impact in the two and a bit games he has played since arriving on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Castillo left the pitch on a stretcher in the first half of the midweek FA Cup win over West Ham when he dislocated his shoulder after falling awkwardly.

Eriksson has had an upbeat report on the problem and a positive assessment of the skills of the 23-year-old who paid some of his own way to come on loan to Eastlands.

Eriksson said: "Nery is settling in well. He is a good young footballer, there are no doubts about that. People have to remember that he has come in halfway through a season having not played much at all for Shakhtar.

"It is not easy for him because English Premier League football is so different. He has less time on the ball than he is used to and you can see that sometimes.

"That is where he loses out but he has to taste the competition to get better and he will do I am sure.

"He is still young and we have him on loan until halfway through next season and we will see him improve.

"I know he is happy to be here and speaks Portuguese so he can speak to three or four players.

"I feel he can play as a striker if you play with two or second striker if we play with one.

"I am sure he can play wide right and wide left but Martin Petrov has not said he wants to step aside and the way he is playing I have no intention of pushing him aside!"

What do you think? Have your say.

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Paul Lake's Knee (18/01/2008 at 11:54)

Whatever Sven says - Castillo has a great reputation lets hope he lives up to it

CTID

blue moon risin (18/01/2008 at 11:54)

Was he in the new maccy d's ad for spicy burgers? lol

The Pope, Rome (18/01/2008 at 11:55)

Having seen the way this lad can play, I for one am more than willing to give him alot more time to settle.

true blue middlesbrough, middlesbrough (18/01/2008 at 11:56)

Looks a nice player in the leagues that dont allow much physical contact but in the EPL he needs another stone on his frameto be effective.

Power to The People, Blackley (18/01/2008 at 12:17)

He will come good given time as he is a class player.

By the way EPL? ia a Swamp saying and has no place on the Blue side.

Elano's best goal ever, Once of Droylsden now Brisbane (18/01/2008 at 12:17)

We have to give Nery every chance. For all Chelsea's riches even they have sucked a few lemons along the way.

Once Nery is up to speed we will see what he can do.

mad pierre, midlands (18/01/2008 at 12:18)

i dont recall juninho at boro needing an extra stone and he was a revelation...its stevie ireland who is lightweight.

Harry Skinters (18/01/2008 at 12:28)

Give the lad time to adjust.

Bluetonium, Manchester (18/01/2008 at 12:35)

I just feel that he is wasted on the right. He's heavily left footed and likes to drift inside when playing there. I want to see him up front playing of Bianchi or Bojinov. Maybe with 2 behind the front-man.
Bianchi
Castillo Elano
Petrov Ireland
Hamman

Ball Richards Dunne Corluka
Hart

But then where do you put Johnson? Hmmm.. (and I bet that formation will look screwed once I post it anyway).

The Blue Meanie, London (18/01/2008 at 12:39)

I guess that's it on the transfer front then. It's all gone quiet and now we are stuck with player that obviously needs time to beef himself up to the fitness levels required of the English game. I fear Castillo will be another Samaras or Bianchi. We need someone who can score goals now - not in a year's time. Perehaps Sven is banking on Bojinov being the one. For me, that's too much of a gamble. Back in December it looked so rosy for us getting at least one goalscoring ace and another midfielder playmaker. After Wednesday night's poor display not to mention the last four or five games it looks very much as if the wheels have come off. There doesn't seem to be much bite about City at the moment. Come on you Blues - give us a performance to be proud of on Sunday.

Ryan Mountford (18/01/2008 at 12:45)

He was poor against West Ham, and we did improve once he went off, but he does have an excellent reputation so lets hope Sven has found another gem!!

woolleyback blue, Heart of the City (18/01/2008 at 12:46)

Watching him on Wednesday even tho' he wasn't on the pitch for long he ran at the WHU defence a few times. I think when he's adjusted and got fit he could be one of those trick little guys that defences hate running at them. I can see him causing panic in the box and a good few goals too.

CTID

Mister Blue (18/01/2008 at 13:00)

I hope he recovers soon & I'm sure he'll come good as Sven says . . . the Prem is a lot faster & takes players time to adapt, plus he's not 100% match fit as he's not played much at Shakhtar.

eastlandsblue, Manchester (18/01/2008 at 13:08)

I was amazed to read some poor comments, on certain boards about this lad. I agree with Sven, that the player needs time to adjust to the prem. There is no other league in the world that compares with ours. Players like Castillo will need at least half a season to make an impact on the pitch. City will be a far better team in 12 months time when all the new players have settled in fully. Even Elano, as started to show signs of fatigue, which can only be expected, when your playing 100 mile an hour football. So we just need to be patient and give new players time to settle before making judgement.

greek tradgedy (18/01/2008 at 13:32)

hes out for up 2 six wks out.broke a small bone in his shoulder.

Hugh Brock (18/01/2008 at 13:35)

Nery may be a great player, but possibly one we can replace at the moment.... we need to see less of Vass and more of Bianchi. I don't think we need a centre forward as much as we need another strong midfielder or two. What ever happened to Bresciano.. He would be a great asset. he has all the qualities for the english game and can play anywhere in midfield.
Why no mention of the Ref... he was awful (well i haven't seen an decent english ref since jack taylor) West ham should have had to red cards...

Phil Neal's Laxative, The Dugout (18/01/2008 at 13:35)

You have to agree with Sven's assessment of Castillo's potential here. He's got a lot of adjusting to do in terms of both City's style of play and the style of play in the premier league as a whole. Plus he'll have to learn how to communicate with the rest of team, not just the Portuguese speakers. And the shoulder injury was the last thing he needed, but let's give him some time to acclimatise, and then hopefully sit back and admire.

Blue Bob, Manchester (18/01/2008 at 13:39)

early days lets see what he can do with a few games behind him.
stick him in for Ireland who is overated in my opinion

timk, Japan (18/01/2008 at 13:40)

January is not the time to adjust. You need to be already be adjusted, or do do it in 5 minutes

Jan1966, Northwich (18/01/2008 at 13:43)

Now its just been announced that he is likely to be out for around 6 weeks we're unlikely to see much out of him this season. Bit of bad luck for him and us.

Keith McRae's Ginger Nuts, Stockport (18/01/2008 at 13:55)

I remember watching the Valencia game and scratching my head wondering about more than one of our new signings - Petrov (there I've said it) particularly perplexed me on that day. With Castillo, I'll do now what I did then and simply trust Sven's judgement. Onwards and upwards, then!

Sunday? Another clean sheet at home, please. Oh and a goal each for Elano (set piece, edge of the area where they were kicking lumps out of our lads on Weds) and Bianchi (poaching a Petrov cross at the far post) assuming he's not disappeared back to Italy.

Disappointed not to hear the 'Sven/sofa' song at the game t'other night.

hawaiian sunset blue 2 (18/01/2008 at 13:56)

If you had watched Nery in the Copa America, you wouldn't be questioning his ability,he is a top player and we are very lucky to have him!

DURABLuE, M14 (18/01/2008 at 13:58)

well done Blue Meanie...good to see your bringing the doom and gloom...we need more people like you with your cheery, positive outlook on life...I'd be suprised if you've ever seen a half full glass in your life...

Joe Strummer's Cat, Blue Heaven (18/01/2008 at 14:02)

Just our luck and in the same manner that Bojinov went. We didn't get chance to sample his silky skills neither. And now more so than ever, we need fresh impetus in the team to sustain what good work the team have achieved. The transfer window is weeks away from closing and still no positive sign of action being taken. Just hope it doesn't prove to be a long second half to the end of season like last year under Pearce, that was dire and miserable. Still, lets remain upbeat and get behind the lad's - even Ireland!!

Syko, on my chair (18/01/2008 at 14:20)

Bad news - Castillo's been confirmed with a broken bone in his shoulder - out for 5 or 6 weeks.

I think that given a bit of time to get used to the Prem and to the team he really could have been great - I had him scoring the winner against the rags next month...

Wish him a speedy recovery.

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