Ricardo Oliveira admits Brazil striker shortage

Santos and Brazil striker Ricardo Oliveira has admitted that it is a concern that Brazil are not producing strikers. The Seleção have a storied history of great number 9s, but in recent years, the production live has dried up.   The 35 year old was recalled into the squad last year. Despite a good year […]
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sambafoot_admin
2016-04-29 22:15:00

Santos and Brazil striker Ricardo Oliveira has admitted that it is a concern that Brazil are not producing strikers. The Seleção have a storied history of great number 9s, but in recent years, the production live has dried up.

 

The 35 year old was recalled into the squad last year. Despite a good year with Santos, the recall of a veteran reveals a paucity of options for Dunga, “I don’t see it as a crisis, but we are producing less centre-forwards,” he told Goal Brasil.

 

“The way forward is to being working better with the youth teams and academies to train young players properly for the position. Strikers must always be hungry for goals but football has changed a little.

 

“Previously the no.9 was more static, mostly waiting for the ball to arrive, but it is no longer possible to play like that. Now it requires a larger range of attributes and the coaching must reflect this.” Oliveira said that Ronaldo was a great inspiration to his own efforts as a young striker in Brazil.

 

“Ronaldo has always been a huge idol for me. He is the player that I tried to copy. When I played with him was a huge honour. His power and finishing ability caught my attention and I always tried to watch him closely. I learned something from him every single day.”