Fabio Coentrão had been looking like a wasted talent for a few years. His stock, however, has risen immeasurably in the last six months.
By Conor Hogan
Coentrão began his footballing life as a left winger, and spent much of his career struggling to get first team football. He was loaned out to relegated Spanish side Real Zaragoza in 2008, where he didn’t even feature, before being farmed out to his home town club Rio Ave on loan in 2009.
A switch to left-back however (kind of a reverse of Gareth Bale’s situation at Tottenham), absolutely revitalised Coentrão, and he eventually became an integral part of Benfica’s title winning team from December ’09 onwards.
Coentrão has shown himself to be adept at reading the game as a full back, and despite being a former winger, has proved surprisingly able as a defender (often cutting back inside to help the centre-backs). He is also an excellent passer of the ball
Coentrão was the best player on the pitch against North Korea, his forward runs continually drawing the defence out of position. He had already created numerous chances before the 56th minute, when his excellent cross found Almeida, who headed the ball home.
Potential suitors: Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Real Madrid
Coentrão is extremely skillful, has great pace and likes to get forward often. This is especially useful for Portugal, whose wide midfielders (such as Ronaldo) like to cut inside, and as such he provides them with their attacking options from wide areas.
He has gone from a situation where he couldn’t buy a game for Benfica, to becoming one of their prize assets, who they will struggle to keep hold of. And at just 22 years of age, he is still improving.
He’s gone from being linked to Blackburn Rovers last year, to some of the biggest clubs in Europe, such as Bayern, who had a £15m offer turned down. The future of Ashley Cole could also have a bearing. If the England international rejoins forces with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, Coentrao could be the man to replace him at Stamford Bridge. Alternatively, Mourinho could plump for his fellow countryman to fill the left back position at the Bernabeu.
