2010 World Cup Player Profiles: Felipe Melo

By: agiamba | June 3rd, 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. Having profiled Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon and Italy newcomer Claudio Marchisio, we’re moving onto one of the most contentious players of the season, Felipe Melo of Brazil. Before moving onto the post, a disclaimer- I was very opposed to Felipe Melo’s signing at Juventus, and I still do not like him. However, in this post I am trying to remain reasonably objective.

Birthplace: Volta Redonda, Brazil, in the state of Sao Paulo.

National Team: Brazil, where over at the Brazil World Cup Blog, Duvel does a great job posting the yellow-tinted version of things. (Sister site to The Offside for national teams)

Personality: This is where Felipe Melo’s greatest failings are. Felipe Melo is a very passionate player, and quite typical of a poorer Brazilian, like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, he is brilliant when on form, yet lacks discipline. In Ronaldo and Ronaldinho’s case, it led to weight gain and poor form, but as a defensive midfielder, it leads to a very poor disciplinary record for Felipe Melo. His temperament was one of the reasons I didn’t want Juve to sign him, at the conclusion of his season with Fiorentina he was banned for 5 games while beating the crap out of Diego Lopez of Cagliari. As Juve’s season went on and Felipe Melo’s performances declined miserably, he began to get into arguments with the fans, culminating in the Juventus 3-3 Siena debacle. After two dangerous plays near the box, Felipe Melo swore at the fans, telling them to “go f*** yourself” and later “shut up!” However, a few weeks later he made a fine gesture, apologizing to the fans after scoring an excellent header against Atalanta.

Melo swearing against the Juve fans

Famous Juve commentator Zuliani demands Felipe Melo be benched and sold for the season, following the above confrontation with the fans

Preferred Foot: Right-footed.

Estimated Market Value: €15 million.

Media Status: In Italy, he is quite well known due to a strong season with Fiorentina, and a high-profile (and massive price tag) move to Juventus, though not quite superstar status. He is very well known in Brazil, as for the last year and a half or so he has been a permanent fixture in Dunga’s Selecao which has also won him a fair amount of fame internationally, also as he has been heavily linked for some time to Wenger’s Arsenal.

Silverware:
With Flamengo: Rio de Janeiro State League: 2001, Brazilian Champions Cup: 2001
With Cruzeiro: Brazilian League: 2003, Brazilian Cup: 2003, Minas Gerais State League: 2003
With Brazil: FIFA Confederations Cup: 2009

Strengths: Felipe Melo, when in form, is an excellent defensive midfielder. He can read the game excellently, he can anticipate play, breaking it up more efficiently than say, Sissoko, whos’ skill is primarily recovering the ball via tackles. That isn’t to say Melo cannot do it, he can. If the strengths ended here, he’d be a solid midfielder, but not one of the best. However, Melo happens to have a decent pass as well as a good eye for goal, scoring 3-4 goals per season. They are decent enough that he could play as a pure central midfielder.

Weaknesses: On form, Felipe Melo is one of the top defensive midfielders in the world. However, his form varied significantly this season and was strongly tied to his emotional state. When Felipe Melo is not feeling positive, he will play poorly, without a doubt. He may lash out at a player, earning a foolish booking or worse, red card. The only other major fault of Felipe Melo is sometimes his tactical naivety, he has a horrible habit of losing the ball at the top of the 18, near the goal. Sometimes he tries to dribble out of dangerous positions, and it doesn’t work, at all. In fact, the game that provoked the angry reaction from Melo to the fans, was Juventus 3-3 Siena. The reason the fans started jeering Melo? Because he was dribbling too close to the box and losing possession.

Simply put- he is a player that completely depends on his emotions. If passionate and happy, he is one of the top defensive midfielders in the world. If not, he is a massive liability. With Brazil, he will have all the stimulus he needs to play well, the question is if he can keep his head on.

Felipe Melo (wisely) apologizing to Juventus fans after scoring a great goal

Status on Club Team: Unknown. He could conceivably be sold this summer, or attempt to prove his detractors wrong at Juve next season. He is not particularly well liked by many Juventus fans. Personally, I hope he performers well in the World Cup, and then gets signed for somewhere around what we paid for him.

2009-2010 Club Season: Felipe Melo endured arguably most difficult of years among any Juventus players on the roster this year. You’ll note I said Melo’s chief failing is his emotional state, and as the season progressed, that ended up forcing Melo into progressively worse and worse performances, and when the fans started heckling him, it all went completely downhill. But what started the bad performances? It was Juventus, for the last 2 years, and continuing, needed a regista, or in English, a deep-lying playmaker. (A Xavi or a Pirlo if you will) Despite having some decent passing skills (for a defensive-midfielder) Felipe Melo was signed as this regista, after management failed to secure Xabi Alonso (summer 2008) and Gaetano D’Agostino, last summer. He never was the right solution for this, and was asked to build play from the back of midfield.

As the enthusiasm for the new season started, Felipe Melo, like much of Juve played brilliantly. I still thought he was the wrong option, but could not dispute with his form. As Juve ran into difficulties, Felipe Melo’s inadequacy as a regista came out, the midfield passing game ground to a halt. In the first month, he was lauded as one of the signings of the summer. By December, he was named “Bidone d’Oro” the annual Italian award for the “flop of the season.” The season continued to descend into madness, and by March, Felipe Melo was fighting every game with the fans. He finished the season with some decent performances in a much calmer environment, as badly needed changes to management placated the fans anger. His future is still very much up in the air.

Good friends? Bitter enemies?

Status in National Team: Important cog. Two years ago Felipe Melo wasn’t near a Brazil call-up, but if imitation is the highest form of flattery, then Melo was driving for a callup. He plays a similar position to coach Dunga, that of a “volante” in Portuguese, or a defensive midfielder, and then joined Fiorentina, the team Dunga first excelled at. A great season for Fiorentina led to a call-up, and a strong performance in the Confederation’s Cup in a more pragmatic Brazil side cemented his role. He remained first choice for most of the World Cup Qualifying, and looks to be a starting member of the Selecao this summer.

Expected Performance for National Team: Considering Felipe Melo jumped from Fiorentina to Juventus, one thing Viola and Bianconero tifosi can agree on is that he is a mercenary. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, every team needs them. The good news for Brazil is that Felipe Melo (very similar to Robinho) cares about the yellow jersey, and he will play his heart out for Brazil. I think he is going to be a strong performer, as long as he can keep his head on straight.

My favorite Melo picture. The caption was “EVERYBODY STOP! I feel like something very bad is about to happen”

Random Fact: Felipe Melo probably is a renter. In the last 10 years, he’s been playing for 8 different clubs, starting in Brazil, going to the island of Mallorca, Spain, and then northern Italy.

In one word: Explosive. In every sense of the word.

YouTube Comp with Questionable Music:

World Cup Player Profiles and Other Links:
Felipe Melo on Twitter (I already sent him a VATTENE message, don’t worry)
#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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That day when it looked like JuveBrazil might work…boy were we wrong.

Some Related Juventus Posts:

Category: 2009-2010 Season in Review, 2010 World Cup: Player Profiles, Blanc, Melo, Team News

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Josef

exactly- that´s the problem with jesus navas. gourcuff is indeed not the right man for del neri´s right winger. speaking of fm, alexis sanchez always turns out to be the best right winger, but yes, it´s fm.

aren´t wingers supposed to play on both sides nowadays anyway? i dream of silva..
Rap Beat Loops

nice post,thanks for admin!
Anthony

I'd like Melo to have a good world cup and get offloaded for close to what we paid for him. But I think Melo will probably do well pairing Marchisio in a 4-4-2 with some pacey wingers. And as much as I'd love a regista, Del Neri's tactics don't really require it. He likes attack minded wingers and a solid center midfield. For this, Melo will do well I think.

And in Italy, teams almost always play with at least one mediano. So if Juve signed a regista, he'd be paired with a mediano, not Marchisio...especially since Juve's wingers will be very attack minded. So a regista isn't necessary right now.
alessio

Haha I knew you'd like that line, Ivo.
Ivo

Well, first thing I noticed in Melo's quality passing from the Viola days is that he actually had someone capable out wide to pass to. If we have two wingers (that are not of Pepe's quality) on the side then his passing may get better.

I think Melo's performance is very dependent on the coach he plays for and on his self-confidence. I can assure you that if Benitez was on our bench, Melo would have been one of the best players at Juve next season.

Alessio, that link of 31 enemies was awesome. Don't know how many of you caught the following joke:

"Why can’t you (Serbain) jerks be more like Macedonia? Now there’s a real former Yugoslavian republic for you!

If not, I'd be happy to offer my insight :)
M

Just a thought....we could loan Caceres again and save that money for something else then maybe negotiate during the winter transfer window? By then the Fabregas transfer saga should be over.
Forza Juve

On second thought, that's probably gonna be the reason why they will want to play hardball over his price... And with the whole Cesc saga going on they will want every penny they can get...
Forza Juve

@Jose, ye I agree coaches prob told him he has to be a regista-type of player... Clearly a bad idea...
Surely Barca can sell Caceres, they are in no need for extra defenders right now (though I do admit, they have limited cover for Alves, ok Puyol is there but he's still originally a CB, even though he's a beast everywhere in def) and they need money cuz they r in debt...
Jose

Also, I think we should keep in mind that this team is not going to play for the scudetto. The goal is to qualify for CL, then we will be better suited to attract better players.

Right now we are building a team to compete against Milan, Roma, Sampdoria and Palermo. Pepe will help us build towards that and might be a useful reserve once we get a better quality winger.

Motta I think is better than people give him credit for. Don't get me wrong, I think Caceres is better right now, but I don't think he is worth $11m. Caceres is worth 7 or 8m tops. Hopefully we don't pay more than 6m for Motta. Motta needs time and he will be better than Grygera and Zebina. Caceres + Motta will be a good pairing on the right wing.

I also think that if Barcelona can't sell Caceres he might come back on loan again, but we will have to wait until the end of August.
Jose

Forza Juve, I think the reason why Melo tries so hard is because his coaches were telling him that is what he needed to do. As Alessio said, if we have good wingers that can give him options as well as Marchisio then Melo can keep it simple.
Sam

haha yes!!! Pirlo out, carn the Aussies, SOCCEROOS for the win!
Forza Juve

on a side-note, looking at the Melo video, I realize on of his flaws is that he tries too much (may sound strange but hear me out plz) Instead of playing that simple 10-15 yard pass to a nearby team-mate, he constantly tries bloody long-balls over the top.. Ok, nice and all they went well on this video and created good plays, but on another day that one guy might have not slipped and then intercepted your ball, or that one time that you tried to dribble a guy in a dangerous situation some other dude doubled up on u and intercepted the ball (see Juve-Siena)... He tries too much to make that beautiful Xavi-like killer pass, or to do that marvelous C.Ronaldo dribble past 3 opponents instead of KEEPING IT SIMPLE and leaving such things to players like Diego or Giovinco (when he plays ofc) and doing his job: protecting defense and keeping it simple... Maybe cuz he was expected to be a regista.... i dunno, but I don't particularly like it....
Juve 1897

I always want Juve to have an Italian foundation with a maximum of 3-4 quality foreign stars in the 1st 11 that can make the difference in a game. The Italians will bring the fighting spirit for the shirt and the foreigners bring the brilliance. The 80s and 90s was perfect examples in the 80s Platini and Boniek was the foreign Legends that spearheaded our attack while the other 9 was Italian champions. In the 90s foreign Legends Zidane, Davids and Deschamps controlled our MF.
alessio

If we're switching to a 4-4-2, a regista is less needed, assuming we have decent wingers. I could see a midfield of Melo-Marchisio working well, like Palombo-Poli at Sampdoria. Apparently, good central midfielder partnerships have to be alliterative.
roberto

roberto: if Melo is starting that means their won’t be space for the Italian international (Marchisio) and that’s not happening.

Yea, agreed.
alessio

I hope we aren’t preferring Italians with average success over foreigners with international success.

I don't think we are. Some people have suggested I feel that way, but not true. Case in point- If it's Marco Motta v. Martin Caceres, I'm definitely for the Uruguayan. I think Motta is overrated and a very average player, and I see good things in 'ole Martin.
Juve 1897

I have seen Pepe play a few games in the past and the games I saw him play he did well imo, not spectacular but good enough. I still think he can be a solid player coming off the bench and Del Neri seem to get the best out of his players.
Rinaldo

This whole Pepe nonsense better be one amazing smokescreen ala the Benitez-to-Juve rumors.

Unfortunately, just like we chose Delneri while the media were sure we'd sign Benitez, I hope we aren't preferring Italians with average success over foreigners with international success. Not saying Benitez would be a better choice than Delneri (I prefer Delneri), but that decision just could be a sign of things to expect.
Juve1897

roberto: if Melo is starting that means their won't be space for the Italian international (Marchisio) and that's not happening.

Forza Juve: Forza Juve!
Mo

for right wing position i would prefer Valbuena of OM. He is much better than Pepe, who as Alessio suggested is average at best,and cheaper.
Forza Juve

Juve1897

Pretty optimistic now aren't we?
roberto

We better have a damn good regista beside Melo next season, or else. It's not Melo's fault he can't dribble or pass well consistently, it's ours for not getting the pairing straight. Dunga and Prandelli both knew he must be kept on a tight leash in terms of what he's allowed to do and especially what he's not. I’m with you alessio, hopefully he has a great summer performance and we can close the book on Melo before next season. Too inconsistent for a team like Juventus.
Juve1897

Also lets not question Del Neri signings just yet....lets wait until he fails then we will roast his ass.
Papai

The best old school wingers in the world, IMHO, are playing for bayern munich at the moment. Valencia will not sell david silva cause they have already sold villa. Antonio Valencia did very well at united last season. Donovan, Nani etc. are all good in patches and a bit of a flat track bullies i think. I think the global game has seen a decline of pure wingers over the years with the decline of the 4-4-2. the new type of winger is more of a forward player who cuts inside, playing in a 5 man midfield with two water carriers. That is why my one hope is to find playing space for giovinco, but apparently its not happening.
Juve1897

Alessio: he would be a solid player to have coming off the bench, Nedved was a special player and to be honest I don't see any winger on the market that stands out and even if their was one Juve would not go after him because of what his price tag would be. I would not underestimate Pepe I think he may surprise us all not Ballon D'Or performances...of course not but decent showings. As long as he fight for the shirt I and deliver good crosses into the box that is all I want from him when he enters the game.
Al

Papai, what about Landon Donovan? Is he overrated?
He has speed, touch, technique, shot and pass, don't take it very serious, just looking through available options :)
Forza Juve

btw Alessio, that link to the xenophobia stuff is funny stuff, haha the serbia one is HILARIOUS (especially the youtube link)
Josef

exactly- that´s the problem with jesus navas. gourcuff is indeed not the right man for del neri´s right winger. speaking of fm, alexis sanchez always turns out to be the best right winger, but yes, it´s fm.

aren´t wingers supposed to play on both sides nowadays anyway? i dream of silva..
agiamba

Yeah, Navas could never move outside of Spain. Not sure he could even move within Spain, even before refusing to play for the Spanish NT for that reason, when he was like 18-20 he wouldn't go on Sevilla away games.

Krasic I have no opinion on, I don't think I have ever seen him play. I hear very conflicted reports, some say he'd be ideal, and others say he runs a lot but doesn't do much else.

Juve1897, my problem with Pepe isn't that he's bad, it's that he's completely average. He'd work at Sampdoria, but we need more than a hardworking player. For much of the 2000s, our wingers were Nedved and Camoranesi, we need someone who can produce magic like them.
Forza Juve

problem i have with Immobile and Ekdal going on loan is that, knowing the morons that still are in our board(im sure there are still some around there even though Agnelli arrived) we'll sell them to Udinese cuz both of them (im sure) will have stellar seasons and then Udinese will be like hey can we keep em and we'll be so retarded to say yes...
So as long as I can get the ABSOLUTE guarantee that they will return to Juve after their loan deal ends, then no I don't want them there simply b/c of the risk of losing them forever (losing Giovinco was already too much for me really)
Papai

Al,
Jesus Navas gets homesick whenever he is away from sevilla. He actually refused to play for the spanish NT initially because of this. But he is a great talent.
M

Vince | June 4th, 2010 at 12:15 pm

I remember when we first bought Melo, my brother said “I don’t about him, can he pass” and I wrongly said, “he is brazilian, all their midfielders can pass.”

Boy was i wrong!

lol :D

Seriously, he used to pass better at Fiorentina. Since he came here he has been losing the easy balls like crazy and Marchisio always has to go bail him out or something.
Juve1897

I might sound crazy but I don't have a problem with Pepe, he's a solid player with great pace for a winger. I would love for Candreva to return as well. I hope Del Neri have plans for Giovinco because he's the 1 attacking Juve player that bring me joy when he plays and I can't stand the thought of losing him. Sell Diego if he's not apart of Del Neri's plans, buy Pazzini, Caceres, 2 CB and bring Criscito back.
Vince

I remember when we first bought Melo, my brother said "I don't about him, can he pass" and I wrongly said, "he is brazilian, all their midfielders can pass."

Boy was i wrong!
M

I guess a loan for Immobile would be good. There will be less expectations on him as that's the last thing he needs when he's trying to get as many Serie A games as possible.
Al

Josef, let's see, I used football manager database so what do we have here, just two examples.
Gourcuff can effectively play on the right flank but he's not exactly the winger Del Neri likes.
Jesus Navas from Sevilla is very talented there, pacey and technically gifted but once again he's rather small one and spaniard.
Should I continue? This base can be very useful for every management really :)
Josef

I don´t want Pepe in Juventus.. Krasic looks great, but pretty everyone does so on youtube.. who do you guys suggest for the right winger position?
agiamba

Also thanks for the correction M, just changed it.

Jose- that deal would be solid. Those two kids are very promising, and should starting playing in Serie A ASAP.
Jose

Gaetano, I read that Ekdal and Immobile are going to Udinese on loan for a year. That would be good, they will get lots of playing time and might be able to be recalled in 1 or 2 years. If the Ekdal and Immobile deal is permanent that would be a bad bad deal. Those kids have lots of potential, specially Immobile. For him the Viareggio tournament was too easy, he is ready for Serie A.
Gaetano

Wtf
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