Laporta defends Henrique and Keirrison transfers

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has defended in an interview with Catalan television channel TV3 the transfers of Brazilian players Henrique and Keirrison:

"We're a global club and I don't think anyone can say that we are neglecting the youth academy just because we have signed players like Henrique or Keirrison. Our scouts are looking everywhere for players who could be useful for us in the future.

Henrique was signed after hard work by the technical department. He was last season one of the best defender in the German league and a lot of clubs have asked us to sign him on loan, while half of Europe wanted Keirrison. We sent him out on loan because we think that's the best for him now."

Read more:
Ten things you should know about Keirrison
Barcelona and Racing presidents meet on Henrique
Keirrison: "I think and execute very quickly"

Keirrison: "I think and execute very quickly"

this is a first contribution by benfica blogger fumas, who will follow for us the performances of barcelona loan out keirrison with benfica during the season. you can also check fumas' personal blog with a lot more news (in english) on benfica: http://www.talkingtothedoll.com/



Shortly after landing in Lisbon, Keirrison gave his first interview to Portuguese football daily "A Bola".

In this interview, published on the first of August, Keirrison talks about choosing Benfica, how he was welcomed the first couple of days, and the team's potential for a good season. He touches on some of his qualities, his idol, and his ambition to make the canarinha.

Always keeping a certain humility, Keirrison's dialogue is simple, and focused on the task at hand this year, he knows that his stay at Benfica will be brief and will serve as an apprenticeship to the European game, but even knowing that, his conversation rarely deviates from his only goal for this year - to help Benfica win titles.

Below is the transcript of the full interview translated into English (note: part of this interview was already published on this blog)


What did you mean with in your press conference with the statement: "It was me that picked Benfica"? Did someone try to choose your destination for you?
I just wanted it to be very clear how much I value this club. My agents had other propositions, but I didn't even want to hear about them when I found out about Benfica.

Why?
I know the club, I watched a lot of Benfica games in Brazil along with other European leagues, and the information that was given to me about Benfica was very good.

What were your first impressions?
Firstly, Lisbon is a beautiful city. Then the Estadio da Luz (smiles) no comments, it's perfect. In addition, Benfica's training center is very good and I was treated very well at my arrival.

Not going to Barcelona right away is what's best for you?
It was a joint decision, to obtain European experience in my first year. Benfica is the right club to evolve in Europe and in two days I feel that I have already adapted.

What can Benfica gain with you?
I'm going to try to help my team mates, in all aspects but in a collective way. You can't win anything by yourself, even if you have the world at your feet. I came to help Benfica win titles

Benfica is betting everything on this season. Are you prepared for the pressure?
There is always pressure in big clubs. Benfica is aiming high, and I am sure with all these excellent professionals, Benfica has every guarantee to be able to fight for titles. It's a a new group but we will be very strong very soon.

What did you think of coach Jorge Jesus?
He is very friendly, he told me what the team wants from me. I feel that with him, I'll have the freedom to talk about all aspects of the game.

What was the feeling like to be applauded by 1500 people in your first training session?
I have had similar experiences, but never with so many people. I could tell how the fans feel Benfica, and that gives me more motivation to work hard. It was good to hear my name being called. You know, I look to have a quick connection with the fans, and unlike some other players, I look to tend to them every time I can. I have been on the other side, I know what it's like.

Are you aware of your worth?
I never try talking about myself. I leave that to other people. I respect opinions, and I always look to do my job. I try to perfect myself everyday, but I know that I will never be perfect.

But you have the notion that Benfica fans saw your arrival as a big "acquisition" right?
Yes I do, I'm always going to have a big responsibility because of the fact that at 20 years old I've arrived at a club like Benfica.

Do you believe that you will soon be scoring goals for Benfica?
I'll be ready for that.

What opinion do you have of the main opponents of Benfica?
I know FC Porto and Sporting. I know that the fans want titles, and we do too. We have the conditions to win.

Will it be easy to score with the team mates you have assisting you?
Without a doubt. There is a lot of quality in this squad. I'm not going to say that it'll be easy, but I was born with a gift that God gave me.

Is being in the 2010 World Cup an objective for you?
Yes. Being at Benfica, I have every chance of being called. I know that Dunga will be watching. But if it's not in 2010, it'll be in 2014, as I am still young.

Do you believe you will be the future forward of Brazil?
That's the reason why I came to Europe.

Your playing style? Is it more talent or more work rate?
Both. Players that have the gift and don't work, and are not able to make sacrifices, they will get nowhere. As an example, I will be very far from my family, but I love football.

What is your safe haven, when things don't go well?
Faith in God and a lot of patience. I know how to wait for better moments.

Are you also patient on the pitch?
A lot. Sometimes I can be without touching the ball for 80 minutes, and I have to be prepared to score. That's happened to me quite a few times.

Do you like playing in the box, or do you like coming out of the box?
A mixture of both, I like to have the ball, but I also like to finish.

Better with your right foot?
I'm righty, but since I was a little boy, I have worked on my left. I have even scored nice goals with my left foot.

Does your aerial game still need to evolve?
It's not at the same level as my feet, but I have been working a lot on that aspect.

Do you like taking penalty kicks?
I am a specialist. But I am also becoming a specialist in free kicks. I try to be a complete forward, because I know some games you can't score in running plays, so you have to look for other ways.

In Brazil it's said that you have a strong personality. Is that true?
I have always had a strong personality, since I was a little boy.

Have you ever lost your cool with a tighter than usual marking?
I might get mad once in a while, but I have learned to elude defender's markings. Besides, it makes no sense to use violence against another player, I have never been thrown out like that.

What is your strongest trait as a player.
Coolness at finishing. I don't take too long to think about what I am going to do when I'm in the box, I think and execute very quickly, most of the times with one touch. I'm very decisive, and seldom am I left with the idea of having chosen the wrong option.

Is that why you admire Romario? He would often score with his toe, with only one touch.
Exactly, Pele is also my idol, but I have only seen Romario play. I grew up watching his game, and wanting to do like him. Romario scored a lot of nice goals, but his specialty was the first touch and to toe the ball. His playing style was simple, and mine is also. The fact that I played futsal helped me. I look to simplify myself, because in Europe there is no time to showboat. I have always tried to play simple with the thought of coming to Europe. And now i'm here.


The Other Side of K11:

If you weren't a footballer you would be...
A Physical Education teacher. I studied until 12th grade, but I didn't continue to college.

Your main quality is...
Sincerity, I don't beat around the bush, I am direct.

Your worst trait...
I stress more than I should.

What kind of a politician would you like to be?
I wouldn't like to be a politician, it's a class for which I have no admiration, even though I respect it.

What charms you about Europe...
Manners, mutual respect, clean streets and beauty.

Favorite movie...
"Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith

Book...
"Never give up on your dreams"(Nunca desista dos seus sonhos) by Augusto Cury, a Brazilian writer.


Read more:
Ten things you should know about Keirrison
Keirrison makes Benfica debut
Possible first option on two Benfica players

Ten things you should know about Keirrison

by Xaviniesta

1 - He was born as Keirrison de Souza Carneiro on December 3,1988 in Dourados, Brazil to former footballer father Adir, and mother Alzira.

2 - He was named Keirrison as a tribute to musician Jim Morrison of The Doors (he has an older brother Kimarrison). It became somewhat of a controversy within the family but his father was adamant: "No Joseph or John, his name will be Keirrison. It is best noted because I will not repeat it." He would later on admit he wrote down his son's name so he wouldn't forget.

3 - He and his father Adir own a football club and training centre called Centro de Futebol Keirrison (CFK-9). Based in Campo Grande, the club trains young talents and competes in state championships. Adir used to coach Brazilian club Centro Esportivo Nova Esperança (CENE) where Keirrison played as a youth player.

4 - Palmeiras team mate and former Barcelona player Edmilson compares him to Valencia player Fernando Morientes: "He would be a player like Morientes in good form, with more shooting and a bit more speed and acceleration. In front of the goal he is very calm. His shots are very strong, he plays very well with both feet and he is very good in the air." Watch some of his goals here.

5 - His footballing hero is former Barcelona player Romário whose first touch shooting he admires:"He played a simple brand of football, just like me. I do not spend much time thinking about what to do in the box. I like to shoot as fast as possible."

6 - Claiming to be a Barcelona fan since childhood, he had a special clause inserted into his contract with Traffic, the company that owns 80 per cent of his playing rights. The clause provided that while every other team would have to pay a 50 million euro buy-out clause, Barça would only have to pay 15 million.

7 - From his youth club CENE, he moved to Brazilian second division club Coritiba scoring 67 goals in 101 appearances for the club. He was league top scorer when Coritiba won the Série B championships in 2007.

8 - He suffered his worst injury on February 12, 2006 when a tackle left him with a raptured anterior cruciate ligament on the knee. After a 12-month recovery period, he returned and scored 2 goals against Portuguesa thus sealing Coritiba's return to the Brazilian first division. Watch the match highlights here.

9 - His 21 goals for Coritiba in the 2007-2008 season won him league top scorer honors, the youngest top scorer in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A history.

10 - He has not been capped for the Brazilian national team but he once played in a friendly with the U-23 team in 2007.



Read more:
Ten things you should know about Maxwell
Keirrison officially presented as Benfica player
Ten Things You Should Know About Zlatan

The Front: A Bola

"I WANT TO BE THE BEST IN THE WORLD"

Keirrison arrives at Benfica full of ambition

Racing president contacts Laporta on Jeffren

Asked about the rumours linking Barcelona Atlètic wing attacker Jeffren Suárez (21) with a loan move to Racing santander (read more here), Racing president Francisco Pernía has said in an interview with Cantabria regional newspaper El Diario Montañés that he has contacted Barcelona president Joan Laporta to discuss the matter:

"He explained me that we won't be able to know if a deal is possible until 9 August and he told me to contact the agent of the player. I also talked with Txiki Begiristain, who said that everything will depend on the decision of Guardiola. We also were interested in signing Keirrison on loan but he had a very detailled contract which made a loan to Racing impossible."

Read more:
Jeffren could be promoted this summer
Racing Santander wants Jeffren on loan

Possible first option on two Benfica players

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona is interested in Benfica left winger and Argentinian international Angel Di María (21 - picture) and Benfica central defender David Luiz (22).

Based upon Portuguese sources, the paper reports that Barcelona might have found an agreement with Benfica on a first option to buy the two players. Although Benfica is not planning to sell the Argentinian and the Brazilian this summer, this could change if a good offer comes in.

The deal would be part of the loan of Barcelona player Keirrison to Benfica, that would also pay the full salary of the Brazilian striker (read more here).

Read more:
Barcelona interested in Di Maria
Ex-Barça: Saviola to Benfica
Keirrison officially presented as Benfica player

Keirrison officially presented as Benfica player

Barcelona player Keirrison (20) has yesterday evening been presented as new player of Benfica. The Brazilian striker joins the Portuguese club on loan for one season, with an option for a second year. Keirrison will wear the number 11.

Read more:
OFFICIAL: Keirrison to Benfica on loan

OFFICIAL: Keirrison to Benfica on loan

Benfica has today officially announced the transfer of Barcelona player Keirrison (20).

Keirrison will join the Portuguese club on a one-year loan, with an option for a second loan year.


Read more:
OFFICIAL: Keirrison
OFFICIAL: Eto'o to Inter Milan
OFFICIAL: Ibrahimovic

Poll: The destination of Keirrison

Monaco and Sporting join Keirrison loan race

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that more and more clubs want to sign Barcelona forward Keirrison (20) on loan.

The Brazilian striker and his agents would now want to take some time to more profoundly study the options that are on the table and to decide calmly where Keirrison will play next season.

The entourage of the player would have informed the paper that at this moment French league club Monaco has shown to be the most interested. The club would already have asked Barcelona the permission to start negotiations on the transfer and talks would be ongoing. There would also be contacts with Portuguese clubs Benfica and Sporting. Dutch club Ajax would also be among the candidates.

Portuguese champions Porto, who were also linked with the striker after declarations by one of his agents (read more here), meanwhile denied the interest in a statement on their official website saying that they are not at all interested in Keirrison.

Asked about the destination of Keirrison, Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain told the club's official media yesterday after the signing of the player's five-year contract that the club will soon make a decision: "There are a lot of clubs interested, now we have to make the right choice and make sure he can develop well so he can return to Barça."

Read more:
Porto, Ajax and Germany also options for Keirrison
OFFICIAL: Keirrison
Roma also interested in Keirrison loan

Porto, Ajax and Germany also options for Keirrison

Brazilian sports site Globo Esporte claims that the agents of Barcelona forward Keirrison (20) are analyzing the last offers for the player.

The Malaquias brothers would travel today to Portugal to start negotiating with Portuguese champions Porto. They could also meet with officials of Benfica, that would also be interested.

Asked about the upcoming loan, agent Marcos Malaquias said in an interview with the site that a decision can be expected at the beginning of next week: "Porto and Ajax have the best chances at this moment but nothing has been decided yet. There's a lot of talk here in Spain that Benfica would already have signed him, but there's no truth in that. After Barça made public that he will leave on loan, a lot of clubs have shown interest. We'll make a decision on Monday or Tuesday."

Portuguese sports paper O Jogo meanwhile claims that Benfica is no longer interested in Keirrison. Asked about the rumours, agent Naor Malaquias nevertheless told the paper that the Portuguese club is still among the candidates: "Benfica is one of the potential candidates to sign the player, like are Roma, Ajax and a German club."

Read more:
Roma also interested in Keirrison loan
OFFICIAL: Keirrison
Benfica to loan Keirrison

Roma also interested in Keirrison loan

Italian sports site Sportal claims that AS Roma is also interested in a loan of Palmeiras forward Keirrison (20), who is expected to sign with Barcelona later today.

Barcelona has announced they want the Brazilian striker to leave on loan next season and Roma, that could offer the striker playing time in a top league, would hope that they can sign Keirrison due to the good relationships between the clubs.

Portuguese sports paper A Bola claims, based upon statements of the player's agent Naor Malaquias in the Brazilian press, that Roma is, besides Benfica, a possible destination for Keirrison.


Read more:
Benfica to loan Keirrison
OFFICIAL: Keirrison
Keirrison says goodbye to his Brazilian fans

Keirrison says goodbye to his Brazilian fans

In an open letter on his official website, Palmeiras forward Keirrison, who is expected to sign with Barcelona later today, said goodbye to his fans and friends in Brazil. The letter reads as follows:


"Dear fans and friends,

After a few weeks of waiting and anxiety, I was happy to receive a call from Barcelona saying that I could travel there to arrange the last details before the signing of my contract with the Spanish club.

I feel that I'm closer to the big dream of my life coming true. When I received the news, I couldn't contain my emotions. I informed my family and then I called my friends at Palmeiras, who unfortunately also had to travel to a game, so it wasn't possible to meet up. I can only thank them, they were always by my side in the good and bad moments.

I thank God for my health, my family for their support, I thank all
Palmeiras fans and the board, I thank Coritiba and all their fans and officials and I can't forget to thank Cene, my first club. I leave Brazil today with a sense of having the duty to honour the shirts of the clubs I've played for.

I know that Europe is different and I will prepare myself to be able to deal with all the challenges in this new stage of my career. I will continue to work to achieve another big dream: to play for the national team of my country.

See you,

K9"


Read more:
Keirrison has arrived in Barcelona
Benfica to loan Keirrison

Benfica to loan Keirrison

Catalan sports papers El Mundo Deportivo and Sport have both reported that Barcelona striker Keirrison (20) will spend next season on loan at Benfica of the Portugese Liga Sagres.

Keirrison arrived in Barcelona earlier today to sign a 5 year deal with Barcelona after transferring from Brazilian club Palmeiras (read more here).

Read more:
Keirrison has arrived in Barcelona
OFFICIAL: Keirrison

Keirrison has arrived in Barcelona

Palmeiras forward Keirrison de Souza Carneiro (20) has arrived in Barcelona at 5:30 pm today. Half an hour later, he visited the Camp Nou offices and posed for the photographers. Keirrison will tomorrow undergo the medical tests before signing a five-year contract (read more here).

read the complete Keirrison transfer story from the first rumours until the official confirmation

more pictures here

OFFICIAL: Keirrison

Barcelona has today officially announced the transfer of Palmeiras forward Keirrison (20).

Barcelona has closed a principal agreement on the transfer and will pay a transfer fee of 14 million euro plus 2 million euro in incentives depending on the games played by the Brazilian striker with the first team.

After the medical tests on Friday, Keirrison will sign a five-year deal with Barcelona, although he will leave on loan next season.

read the complete Keirrison transfer story from the first rumours until the official confirmation

Keirrison will arrive in Barcelona today

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Palmeiras forward Keirrison (20) will arrive today in Barcelona to sign his contract.

It is expected that the club where the Brazilian striker will play on loan next season will also be revealed today. The paper claims that Portuguese club Benfica could be the destination of Keirrison.

Read more:
Barcelona looking for a club for Keirrison
Guardiola about the incoming transfers

Barcelona looking for a club for Keirrison

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona is looking for a club for Palmeiras forward Keirrison (20).

The deal on the transfer would have been closed, although not yet officially announced, and Barcelona wants the player to leave on loan for one season to gain experience and then return to Barcelona next year.

Barcelona's first option was to try to include the Brazilian striker in transfer deals with Valencia (Villa), Atlético Madrid (Forlán) or Porto (Bruno Alves), but with the transfer of Ibrahimovic close and the possible stay of Henrique, this now seem less likely.

Barcelona is still looking to sign a midfielder and could try to offer Keirrison in that deal. If that doesn't go through either, the club wants to send him out on loan to a Spanish club, something Keirrison would personally prefer, or to another European club that will take part in the Champions League or the Uefa Cup and will give the striker playing time. Atlético Madrid would still be intrested in keirrison.

Read more:
Deal on Keirrison should be finalized next week
Guardiola about the incoming transfers
Keirrison could be included in Bruno Alves deal

Guardiola about the incoming transfers

At a press conference, Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola talked today about the incoming transfers.



Henrique
He's here to stay. He'll help us a lot. He has adapted well at Bayer Leverkusen and played a lot. I've heard good things about him and we'll see how he fits into the squad.

Maxwell
He's been at the top for years. He's played at Ajax and Inter and he'll bring us a lot.

Keirrison
He's very young and has very good stats. Scoring isn't easy. The club has decided to get him but in principle that's to send him out on loan and he's not in my plans for this season.

Ibrahimovic
He's still an Inter player. We cannot have him and Eto'o. We're rich, but not that rich. It won’t happen. You don't want too many players in key positions and both of them are starters.

Ribéry
I think it's impossible to sign him. He won't come, firstly because Bayern won't let him and secondly because his agent wants him to go elsewhere.”

Villa
I spoke to him.

Barcelona tried again for Forlan last week

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona made last week an ultimate bid for Atlético Madrid forward and Uruguay international Diego Forlán (30).

Barcelona would have offered Atlético 25 million euro plus a one-year loan of Barcelona central defender and Uruguay international Martín Cáceres (22), but Atlético held on to the buyout clause of 36 million euro.

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that Barcelona president Joan Laporta offered his Atlético counterpart Enrique Cerezo 25 million euro plus one of the three following players: Cácered, Henrique or Keirrison. Last Wednesday, Laporta would tehn have made a last offer of 36 million euro but on the condition that Atlético also accepted to sign Barcelona forward Eto'o. This last offer would also have been rejected.

Read more:
Guardiola gives green light for Forlan
Forlan back-up for Villa