http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,2138140,00.html Manuel da Costa, PSV Eindhoven Steve Claridge Tuesday July 31, 2007 Cool and cultured, Manuel da Costa is not a man who is going to be panicked into anything. Safe in the knowledge that he has all the attributes required to deal with most situations that come his way, he is a player in the mould of Rio Ferdinand in that he looks as if the game comes naturally, particularly in the centre-half berth. However, as we have seen with Ferdinand, sometimes when the game comes relatively easily to a player, certainly in his position, there can be lapses in concentration that the opposition punishes. But that isn't the case with Da Costa. He likes to play the ball out from the back as he is comfortable in possession and looks to hit the diagonal ball, switching play at every opportunity. His range of passing is excellent and he needs little persuasion to hit accurate balls over 50 or 60 yards. He has plenty of strength and usually tries to win the ball in front of the centre-forward, which he could do playing for Portugal in the Under-21 European Championship last month because of the pace of his defensive partner Semedo. He seems to have genuine leadership qualities and takes control of situations where there might be possible confusion, particularly when the ball is played over the top between him and the goalkeeper. He is good in the air and strong in the tackle and likes to leave a little bit on his opponent, meaning that when he has won the ball he lets the centre-forward know that he's there, occasionally following through with his challenge. There is nothing wrong with that - all good defenders tend to kick you. I particularly liked his awareness of what was around him and his composure when space was tight. Keeping the ball rather than smashing it out of play or handing it back to his opponents, he even found time to pick out people from first-time headers or volleys. He started attacks and his weight of pass, particularly up to the strikers, was good and he delivered the ball in such a way that it told his centre-forward exactly where his marker was stationed. As with all good defenders he is well positioned at all times when the ball comes into the box. In the game I watched during the European Under-21 finals he made three vital interceptions and clearances. Born and raised in France, he opted to pursue his international career with his father's country of birth, Portugal. He has 22 caps for the Under-21s and was selected for the senior squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers last season. He began his career in France, though, where he managed to score for AS Nancy in a League Cup semi-final defeat of Le Mans in 2006. During the summer he turned down interest from Bordeaux and Newcastle to sign for PSV Eindhoven, lured by the prospect of Champions League football at the Philips Stadion. I very much doubt that Newcastle's overtures will be the last he will get as an offer to come and play in the Premiership. Age - 21 Born - Saint-Max, France Position - Centre-back Height - 6ft 2in Weight - 13st 3lb From - AS Nancy Pace - 8/10 Awareness - 9/10 Heading - 8/10 Attitude - 8/10 Tackling - 8/10 Passing - 9/10 Team responsibility - 8/10 Valuation - ￡1.5-2m -- ╔══╗╔╗╔╗╔══╗╔╗ ╔══╗╔══╗╔══╗ ║╔═╝║╚╝║║╔═╝║║ ║╔═╝║╔═╝║╔╗║ ║║ ║╔╗║║╔═╝║║ ╚═╗║║╔═╝║╚╝║ ║╚═╗║║║║║╚═╗║╚═╗╔═╝║║╚═╗║╔╗║ ╚══╝╚╝╚╝╚══╝╚══╝╚══╝╚══╝╚╝╚╝ --

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