Wow haha. Interesting reading that mate, cheers for that. Looks like his time might be coming to a halt there, shame really, I wanted him to get as many games as possible.
I've not heard them rumours either. Whats Diogo like?
Diogo was phenomenal at first, and, like the rest of the starting 11 who never seem to get a break due to the lack of bench depth, his form has dipped lately.
I do rate him highly, however. He is not a prolific goal scorer, but rather a guy who opens up space for others, very strong, has good pace and dribbling ability and can score a few goals too. Some compare him to Drogba (style of play, not current ability
). Right now he plays as a lone striker with the wingers supporting him, and a forward just behind him (Belluschi). Not sure if he'd benefit in a more traditional 4-4-2 formation, but that's how it is right now...
He's only 21 and the fact the he has managed the pressure of playing at a club like Olympiakos (where losing in Greece is NOT an option) says a lot. Let me put it this way: We CANNOT keep a player of his class at Olympiakos. He might stay for next season, but if he lives up to the expectations, I don't see him staying beyond that.
To get an idea of what he's like at the top of his game, have a look at the following videos:
Olympiakos 5 Benfica 1 (Diogo 3-0):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j2HhXfcgeo#hq (Makes Sidnei look sooo bad - beautiful
)
Olympiakos 5 Benfica 1 (Diogo 5-1):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9J9u7fltQ8#hq (great finish from a difficult angle)
Olympiakos 5 Benfica 1 (Belluschi 4-1):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhlWOKv51f0#hq (Diogo finds Galletti beautifully, who then passes the ball across the goal to Belluschi for the easy tap-in.
(check out more youtube videos, also from his previous life at Portuguesa)
In short:
+ Strength, pace, opening up space for others, good finishing, good dribbling and holding the ball, winning fouls (sometimes it's the only way to stop him)
- DIVES WAY TOO MUCH
, if he has a bad day his finishing evaporates, not much else...
He's one to watch in the future.