Francisco Conceicao has never been short of self belief. The Juventus wide man, a player of mercurial talent and occasional infuriating inconsistency,...
Francisco Conceicao has never been short of self belief. The Juventus wide man, a player of mercurial talent and occasional infuriating inconsistency, has made a statement that will either be hailed as the mark of a champion or dismissed as the bravado of a player who has yet to prove it on the biggest stages. In an exclusive interview with GoalZaza, the Portuguese international declared himself 'one of the best in the world in my role'. Bold words, certainly. But are they backed by the facts on the pitchLet's be honest about what we've seen from Conceicao since his arrival in Turin. He possesses that rare, almost telepathic ability to beat a man in tight spaces, to use a sudden drop of the shoulder or a shift of weight that sends defenders scrambling. In transitional play, when the opposition is stretched, he is a nightmare. But football is not a game of one on one duels. It is a game of output, of end product, of knowing when to take the safe pass instead of the crowd pleasing dribble. Too often, Conceicao's final ball has let him down. A misplaced cross here, a shot dragged wide there. It is the difference between being a flashy winger and a truly elite wide attacker.Yet perhaps we are being too harsh. Look at how Thiago Motta's system asks him to operate. He is not simply hugging the touchline; he is expected to drift inside, to link play, to press with intensity from the front. In a side that has sometimes lacked creativity, a player like Conceicao, who is willing to take risks, is a precious commodity. He offers tactical flexibility that a manager can use to break down a stubborn low block. He is often the one who makes something happen when the game is flat. So when he says he is among the best in his role, the question becomes: which role If he means the classic, old school winger who runs at the full back and terrifies the life out of him, then he might have a point. If he means the complete, modern attacker who delivers goals and assists with ruthless consistency, then the debate is far from settled.What cannot be questioned is the mentality. This is a young man who came from Porto with a point to prove, wearing a famous shirt and carrying the weight of expectation. To come out and make such a statement in a league known for its defensive rigour and its capacity to chew up flashy imports takes guts. You either back yourself or you get swallowed by the intensity of the Allianz Stadium crowd. Conceicao has chosen to back himself. Now, the only thing left is for him to show it week in and week out. And if he does, then maybe that claim won't sound quite so audacious after all.
