The Brazilian soccer club of Cruzeiro has signed five new
players to strengthen the team for next season, a fight for
position promises to be heated.
Of the five new faces, two are forwards. The former player from
Nautico, Elicarlos, and one time player with Corinthians will go
head to head for the position of forward.
In last year's Brasileiro tournament, coaches Paulo Autuori and
Dorvial Junior used 14 different players at the position,
reflecting the internal problems of the team.
Renan and Ricardinho, who started the year as starters, left the
team before the season ended. To fill their places, Ramires and
Charles were signed by the team to play, and have since been named
to the Brazilian Olympic soccer team by Dunga, the team's head
coach.
Luis Alberto was also hired before the Brasileiro Championship
came to an end, however his situation with the team is uncertain.
Leo Silva was seriously injured in August, but has since resigned
his contract with hopes of a better season as a starter on the
team.
Sandro, the midfielder and forward, also resigned his contract
for next year. Another player who left the team last season was
Elson, who went to play for Goias.
He ended up to be the team's hero as he scored on a penalty kick
in the team's last game, securing a victory against Internacional
that avoided their descent into the second division. Fernando also
left the team, while Daniel, Jardel and Aldo were all added to next
year's roster.
The loss of most of the team's forwards, including Adilson
Batista, caused the team not only to hire Ramires and Charles --
who ended the year as starters, but inclusively brought Fabricio
and Elicarlos. Henrique is also in the sight of Cruzeiro, and the
team has successfully resigned Leo Silva and Sanndor.
In a media interview last Thursday, Fabricio spoke about the
rivalry at the forward position saying, "It will be a healthy
competition and it will be good for Cruzeiro." He said good things
about his competition, Ramires and Charles, and stated that the
team has acquired quality players.
(Xinhua News Agency December 24, 2007)
