2010 World Cup Player Profiles: Christian Poulsen

By: agiamba | June 17th, 2010

Over the next week and a half, here at the Juventus Offside we will be profiling Juventini, their characteristics, and what role they play for their national team. It might not be the most useful for regular readers or general Juventus fans, but I think we Juventini are most apt, perhaps, to describe the quality of these players as we watch them week-in, week-out. We’ve done Italy players Gianluigi Buffon, Claudio Marchisio, and Vincenzo Iaquinta, Brazil enigma Felipe Melo, and Martin Caceres of Uruguay. Today, we profile Christian Poulsen of Denmark, no doubt a model professional but one who has never really hit his peak at Juve.

Birthplace: Asnæs, Denmark, a small village about an hour and a half outside of Copenhagen

National Team: Denmark. Over at the Denmark World Cup Blog, Cerberus does an excellent job constantly updating the blog with Denmark news. (Sister site to The Offside for national teams)

Personality: This is a curious section. Before arriving in Italy, due to confrontations with Totti, Gattuso, and Kaka, Poulsen had a reputation of a hardman, a rugby-tackling defensive midfielder who provoked other players. The reputation I thought was kind of an irritating dirty player, similar to a Gattuso role in position and personality. Couldn’t be farther from the truth, he has never really lost his temper on the pitch, never got into a confrontation, and all in all, been a relatively well-behaved player. Perhaps too well behaved, as sometimes I wished he would get a little angry and make reckless tackles.

He’s a great professional, though he’s not the type of person to show emotion even if he is playing hard. Last summer Ciro Ferrara tried to push him out, Poulsen rejected transfers, yet trained hard and acted very professionally. He didn’t take it personally, Ferrara could count on him whenever he needed. A model professional.

Preferred Foot: Right footed.

Estimated Market Value: €7.5million.

Media Status: Well known continentally, though not terribly famous. Poulsen has a relatively quiet persona, plays in a quiet position, and thus, doesn’t really enjoy a whole lot of celebrity. Within Italy he was well known for the confrontations with Gattuso, Kaka, and Totti, and having played successfully in the Champions League with Schalke and Sevilla, a relatively well known European player.

Silverware:
With Copenhagen: 2000-01 Danish Superliga,
With Schalke: 2005 DFB Ligapokal
With Sevilla: 2006 European Super Cup, 2006-07 UEFA Cup, 2007 Spanish Cup
Individually: 2001 Danish under-21 Player of the Year,
Danish Player of the Year: 2005, 2006

Strengths: Poulsen was (incorrectly) signed by Juventus as the alternative to Xabi Alonso, and is clearly not a playmaker, more of a defensive midfielder. Despite this, he is a relatively well-rounded central midfielder. He is strong in the tackle and can position himself well, and has an eye for a decent pass once in a while, though he is no regista. Good endurance and rarely caught out of position.

Weaknesses: The strengths/weaknesses sections are kind of tough to do, because he is a completely different player between club and country. At Juventus, his chief weakness is he’s never really imposed himself on matches. He’s always had “decent” performances, but rarely any “great” ones. It’s curious, as several Spanish friends told me when Juventus signed him that he was one of the best Liga players and midfielders in the two seasons he spent at Sevilla, and this is a league with Xavi. So for Juventus, that’s pretty much it. Otherwise, he’s a pretty well-rounded defensive midfielder.

Status on Club Team: Rotation player. Poulsen wasn’t exactly welcomed to Juventus in the most ideal ways, the management spent much of the summer looking at Xabi Alonso and the deal scuppered over a few million euro, Poulsen was brought in as an alternative. From the start, the fans held up banners saying, “Congratulations, you’ve bought another rubbish player” which can’t be terribly confidence-inspiring. Nonetheless, Poulsen has been a great professional and worked hard in training and offered to play when needed. Last year he was very much on the periphery of the squad, but has improved since.

2009-2010 Club Season: Poulsen actually had a bit of a step-up from last season, which didn’t really happen for most players as Juventus delved into a hellish season. Last year, he was on the outside of the squad, playing very rarely in a 4-4-2, behind Marchisio, Sissoko, even Tiago. This season his performances improved a bit, and with Felipe Melo self-destructing, he got a few chances and played well. His play was simple yet effective, he shielded the backline well and made few mistakes. Despite trying to be booted out last summer, it appears he did well enough to earn another year at Juventus.

Status in National Team: Important first teamer. Christian Poulsen is always one of the first names on the Danish player list, he’s been a fundamental player for them since his debut in 2001 at age 21, making 75 appearances. In the qualifying for the World Cup, he played 882 out of 900 minutes possible.

Expected Performance for National Team: Denmark isn’t looking too great to progress, after the “other Poulsen’s” unfortuante own-goal, but it’s still doable. Poulsen plays better for Denmark than he does Juventus, and he’s one of the very important players for the national team.

Random Fact: Poulsen was selected by coach Claudio Ranieri because Xabi Alonso was “too slow.” Also, apparently Poulsen goes by the secret identity of Samson from the Bible.

In one word: Quietlyeffective. (It’s one word if there’s no space)
YouTube Comp with Questionable Music:

YouTube Comp Without Questionable Music:

World Cup Player Profiles and Other Links:
#1- Gianluigi Buffon
#2- Claudio Marchisio
#3- Felipe Melo
#4- Martin Caceres
#5- Fabio Cannavaro
#6- Vincenzo Iaquinta
#7- Mauro Camoranesi
#8- Christian Poulsen
#9- Giorgio Chiellini

And if you liked this article…
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Category: 2009-2010 Season in Review, 2010 World Cup: Player Profiles, Blanc, Competitions, Melo

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Gaetano

NO sympathies for England.

USA is proving to be a really fucking good team. I was impressed with their determination. Its unfortunate that they don't have a good defense. Some of the attacking players have a very bright future.

@ Jorid
I think Buffon just wants to stay with the boys and give some advice to Marchetti or is hoping for a miraculous recovery. Its unfortunate for Juventus but good for the Azzuri.

This transfer market has my head upside down. Will we keep Diego, and if so how will he adapt in a 442? WIll he become a second striker like Moggi has suggested in the past?
Forza Juve

Hell we can throw Zebina into the foil too... I mean hey, who doesn't want Zebina, Amauri, and some cash?=D
Forza Juve

would be lovely if we could do a cash-plus-player deal with CSKA for Krasic: we give em Amauri and some cash and they give us Krasic... Simple... Everyone is happy no?
Jorid

Adam: If it's HIS choice to stay there, play and risk to aggravate his injury, then I have no problem with it(I don't agree with it but I understand it) but if it's the FIGC retards keeping him there or Puma, then FUCK THAT.

I just want to see the guy healthy and starting as much as possible for us, that's all lol.
bianconeri

Yea I'm surprised how bad England are playing, it's like they have 2-3 Amuari's running around. They desperately need a better CF.
bianconeri

Jorid - There's a chance that Buffon might be able to play in the round 16 if Italy qualify. And after the season he's been through, he deserves that chance even if it means missing out on the beginning of next season.
Jorid

Can anyone riddle me this:
Buffon apparently will need surgery in order to resolve his herniated disc issue.
He is going to REMAIN in South Africa for as long as Italy is still in it and his surgery has been scheduled for once he returns(He will need at least 3-4 weeks of recovery time).

That last sentence makes absolutely 0 fucking sense...
Why is he staying/being kept in SA when instead he could return to Turin, get surgery and have some extra time to rest and return to 100% much sooner?

FUCK THE FIGC
Jorid

Don Fabio's England is a joke.
ROFLCOPTER @ the idiots that once again were saying "England is looking very strong ahead of this World Cup!"
Anthony

Oh, and we also don't know Camo's future. If he was indeed the one who told Zaccheroni "I'm here, but don't count on me", then he may be heading out the door.
Anthony

I agree about Poulsen. A model professional and deserves to be starting ahead of Melo and Sissoko.

Martinez is a good player. I think Krasic is better, but CSKA don't look like they want to let him go for less than 18 million which is pretty steep. I wouldn't be surprised if Juve end up getting both though. It depends on how Giovinco fits into Del Neri's plans. If Giovinco can play as a winger, then no need for both Martinez and Krasic. But otherwise, the only wingers Juve have right now are Camo, Pepe, Martinez and De Ceglie (but if Criscito doesn't end up returning, he might continue playing LB). So we might be in need of another winger still.
bianconeri

I agree with what Marotta is doing, Krasic is good but not 20m good. If we're gonna go spending around 20m for a winger we should go for Lavezzi.
Jorid

If only one between Martinez and Krasic gets purchased and the one purchased is indeed Il Malaka, then that extra money that Beppe is left with(2-3 Million) better go towards purchasing BOTH Mimmo and Bonucci...
Rinaldo

http://www.football-italia.net...

WTF?
Sam

yeah! GO THE SOCCEROOS!!!!!! CARN THE MIGTHY SOCCEROOS!!!!!!!

WE'VE GOTTA FUCKEN WIN THIS!

(btw Krasic was fuckin good created everything for Serbia)
bianconeri

Storari was a fucking beast last season, I would be thrilled if we got him as a back up.
Mass

Anyone else a little worried over the extremely ordinary players we continue to get linked too. The likes of Pepe, Martinez and Storari are not good enough for our club. I hope the latter two are simply rumours and nothing more! Not convinced by Marotta, I think we may rue his appointment. Especially if the likes of Giovinco and Criscito are sold, which appears more likely every day.
Jorid

WTF! I wake up to see Serbia win against Germany? FML.
Australia, I have faith in you.
Sam

Far out wtf? Jorge Martinez.. really? 12 mil.. really?
Forza Juve

This is one CRAZY World Cup... I wake up and see Germany 0 Krasic and co. 1... Woow, I'm stunned... And now USA are losing 2-0 to Slovenia (their goal celebrations are hilarious btw)
bianconeri

Gaetano - Criscito and De Ceglie will be worth the gamble next season, especially with our primary target being a 4th place finish.
bianconeri

Regarding Martinez, I think Lazio wanted to buy half his contract but Catania put the deal on hold to see if we buy him. So I doubt it will be a co-ownership deal.

And Krasic's crossing ability is looking really good so far, I just hope it's consistent.
Gaetano

Pairing*
Gaetano

have called him many things in the past but poulsen is a good back up and occassionally has flashes of brilliance.

Watched Germany vs Serbia and have to say that Krasic would be a good buy. After watching Pepe the other day I think both these two players would help us alot.

It would be wise to get Bonucci as we won't have Cannavaro and would be a great pearing with Chiellini. Possible leftbacks anyone???
nico

where did all the sissoko hate come from? he had a good season if you look back. only played bad when was played WITH melo. not only that but had a very good season before that. was man of the match in virtually every game (aside from chiellini) when he came back from injury.

the only problem is that melo is too similar.

p.s. we should keep poulsen- we wouldn't get much for him anyway
Georg

bonucci for cricsito?
http://www.football-italia.net...
Jose

I think Martinez is going to come after we give Catania a few players on co-ownership. He might also come on a loan deal like Pepe. In other words I think we will get Martinez after paying very little, after that we will still get Krasic. Marotta wanted 4 wingers: Pepe, Martinez, Krasic and one of PDC and Giovinco will be in our flanks next season.
Mo

Interesting fact: Poulsen is a son of a garbage man. You have to respect the man and how far he has come. But honestly, average player nothing more.
Comrade

Krasic's involvement leads to goal!
kriz

The main point is that we all want him to stay, albeit not a starter, but a very professional back up, don't let them do the same mistake with Poulsen as they did with Mellberg
Robee

My respect to Poulsen. Not any great player, but the wordS ;) "quietly effective" couldn't be chosen better. Professional and a player that any team could well use. 'though I wouldn't prefer him over an in-form Melo or a Sissoko in good condition just yet.

On another subject. I'm really getting nervous about our transfers. In the coming week a lot of business should be done since the co-ownership deals have to be sold before next week.
Mass

I have a lot of respect for Poulsen, but lets be honest he is a very average player and is not good enough to command a starting spot at Juventus. In the 2 seasons Poulsen has been at the club he has never shown the quality which is needed to play at a club the stature of Juventus. Even though I prefer him to the likes of Melo, I still recognise that Poulsen isn't good enough.
Blanda_Amania

He's reliable, and all business. I don't think I've ever seen him smile till I watched those videos. Extra points for getting up in Gattuso's grill. Respect!
papai

hes got a certain gravitas......
Johny

check this out...martinez goal against merda inter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
i think he's explosive!
Jessica

This game is really exciting to watch. I wanted to go in Denmark to see the real kicking action.
agiamba

He still was the wrong choice, but so it goes. I hope Marotta won't do the same thing as him, and if negotiations come down, pay 3-4mil for the better player (Krasic/Martinez) not the XabiAlonso/Poulsen or D'Agostino/Melo route. I do think that the very public negotiations for Martinez might be Marotta putting pressure on CSKA.

Also, HAHAHA. That's the .gif of the day, no doubt.
Comrade

By the way, we finally know why Zidane did what he did 4 years back - http://i.imgur.com/2lJE1.gif
Comrade

He has indeed come a long way. His signing was vehemently opposed by many Juventini but today we are talking about starting him. Hard work always earns respect.
agiamba

No doubt a great team player, he refuted Melo's comments despite having all the many reasons to agree. Probably because Poulsen went out to make friends and work hard, whereas Melo has "not shown his teammates respect" in training, according to Ferrara.

I'm all for him starting over Melo or Sissoko. He ain't flashy, but he gets the job done alright. Melo's an asshat, and Sissoko is too one dimensional.
ergo

I've always thought Poulsen is pretty solid, hard-working and a better team player than some clowns on our team (JZ, Melo)... and he should definitely have gotten more playing time.