Whatever Happened To Andres D'Alessandro?

Filed in archive Players on February 12, 2006

source: bild.t-online.de

Andres D'Alessandro is one of the many unfortunate souls labelled "the new Maradona". Until an Argentinian number 10 single handedly (pun intended England fans) wins the World Cup, that label is the kiss of death.

Coming through the River Plate youth ranks and impressing for Argentina's youth teams, D'Allesandro got the obligatory big money move to Europe when he joined German team Wolfsburg for £7.5 million in 2003. Things haven't gone as planned and now he finds himslef on loan at English Premiership strugglers Portsmouth.

This is a terrible move. A playmaker like D'Alessandro will always struggle in the rough and tumble of the Premiership, with it's mammoth centre backs and no nonsense midfield hardmen. Already low on confidence, it will be even harder for him in a relegation fodder team.

After a near anonymous display he was substituted at half time of Portsmouth's 3-1 loss to a rampant Manchester United. I wish him well though, because even if he's not the long awaited "new Maradona", players like this number 10 are still a joy to watch.