Why we're more Sol Bamba than Samba
In the week we confirmed the permanent signing of Sol Bamba, we bid farewell to Adryan who has joined Nantes on loan. Once again the Samba drum is out of tune at Elland Road.
The 20-year old Flamenco prodigee was tipped for big things when he arrived last summer, however he goes with just 12 games under his belt. I think the first-half against Derby summed him up, where in one instance he went on a mazy run beating four-players then a couple of minutes later dived after being tackled, almost as an after-thought which was shockingly embarrassing and went viral on social media.
Unfortunately I don't think the lad from Rio with the boyish good-looks was physically cut out for the Championship. He was far from Neil Redfearns plans by Christmas and with a relegation scrap on our hands, I don't blame Redders for leaving him out.
The club have tweeted their best-wishes to him and we wish him all the best in France. Brazilians and Leeds United just do not seem to mix do they? Remember Roque-Junior?
Just a year after winning the World Cup with his country in 2002, I though we'd pulled off a major-coup by bringing him on-loan from AC Milan. However in his first game against Leicester, we lost 4-0 and the image of him in a ripped away shirt was an iconic visualisation of a disastrous season. He was sent-off on his home debut against Birmingham. He did score twice against Manchester United in the League Cup but we lost 3-2 and following Peter Reid's sacking he was soon on his way back to Italian football to Sienna on loan.
So I think if Barcelona offered us Neymar Junior on loan I'd be very afraid!
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