Joel Campbell

[DK Gooner]

I'd imagine he is quite likely to be granted a work permit, maybe on appeal if necessary. He seems a live wire in the few video clips posted so far.

If we did sign him, I reckon he will be training with the first team almost straight away. I'm not sure what this move would signify for Vela as the guy has been described as a striker and potential LWF. It also probably means that Afobe will go out on loan rather than staying here on the fringes of the squad.

 

[kofigunner]

I'm not sure what this move would signify for Vela as the guy has been described as a striker and potential LWF. It also probably means that Afobe will go out on loan rather than staying here on the fringes of the squad.

From what I've seen of him which admittedly isn't much, he seems more comfortable as a LWF than Vela does. Vela really only looks in his element when he's a CF or upfront. On the wings Vela's reluctant to take people on even when he's got the beating of them even if just on pace.

 

[Floating]

I'd imagine he is quite likely to be granted a work permit, maybe on appeal if necessary.

Yeah, his performances for the Costa Rica NT have certainly helped his case - he's been their best player at the Copa America this year.

 

[Clrnc]

He reminds me of Eto'o. Excellent technique, finishing, pace, and movement, and a good build for 19.

Wanted to say that too. But as a Costa Rican, maybe he is their next Paulo Wanchope...

Good replacement for Bendtner?

 

[Hunta]

Gervinho's Bendtner's replacement, isn't he DJ. :wink:

 

[Yaya]

<a class="postlink" href="http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everardoherrera.com%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26view%3Darticle%26id%3D3922%3Aarsenal-apelara-a-peticion-especial-para-que-joel-campbell-juegue-en-la-premier%26catid%3D92%3Aselecciones-menores%26Itemid%3D59" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... temid%3D59</a>

 

[Floating]

He reminds me of Eto'o. Excellent technique, finishing, pace, and movement, and a good build for 19.

Wanted to say that too. But as a Costa Rican, maybe he is their next Paulo Wanchope...

Good replacement for Bendtner?

Haha, a player doesn't necessarily have to be from the same country as another to compare playing styles. :wink:

 

[Lord Dula]

This guy will kill gervinho

 

[viper_001]

Here's a nice compo of his skills/goals. A bit short, but really shows his talent. I like how direct and tenacious his dribbling is.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hiRF8AgGrE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hiRF8AgGrE</a>

 

[Accomplished]

he can certainly shoot

 

[VancouverCanuck]

Here's a nice compo of his skills/goals. A bit short, but really shows his talent. I like how direct and tenacious his dribbling is.

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hiRF8AgGrE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hiRF8AgGrE</a>" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My concern is most of the dribbling and goals are against s**t teams like *cough* Canada *cough*. Didn't watch any of his matches in Copa America, however.

 

[KY]

A canadian trashing his own country...

Boy, Canada has really hit a new low haven' they? The producers of Jonathan Guzman and Owen Hargreaves ( I totally forgot Owen's name for a moment...)

:wink:

 

[gstew]

Been watching a lot of international soccer this summer (Gold Cup, Copa America, U17 WC) and the two players that jumped off the screen for me were Campbell of CR and Fierro of Mexico. Of course there are quite a few other talents that were impressive, but these were the two that had me most intrigued. I would be so excited and impressed if we were able to sign both.

 

[VancouverCanuck]

I am just being a realist, KY. What's our FIFA ranking? 83, I just looked it up. One spot above the mighty powerhouse of Jordan.

It's sad commentary that when we do produce a player that is any good, Hargreaves, he wouldn't play for us. Hopefully, the MLS will change things for us in the future.

 

[ebouenolike]

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvjOC68KtKs&feature=player_detailpage#t=93s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvjOC68K ... page#t=93s</a>

Now that is bloody delicious. Would love to score a few more direct FKs.

 

[mo50]

The last time Arsenal signed a player with the surname Campbell from a small club was the summer of 2001. What followed was the league and cup double. Omen?

 

[blaze_of_glory]

About 10 yrs ago (i think) a report came out on the Canadian Soccer Association that described it as having and representing a "culture of failure."

Not much has changed since then unfortunately. Its disgraceful. We have 30 million people and consistently lose to countries with 3 million.

 

[mo50]

You've got to take into consideration that hockey dominates Canada. Young boys will start skating and playing hockey at a very young age, instead of picking up a football.

 

[blaze_of_glory]

You've got to take into consideration that hockey dominates Canada. Young boys will start skating and playing hockey at a very young age, instead of picking up a football.

Far more kids play football these days, hockey is becoming a rich kids sport, especially beyond the very young ages.

But yes, in terms of money put towards it and media coverage, hockey is completely dominant.

 

[viper_001]

I am just being a realist, KY. What's our FIFA ranking? 83, I just looked it up. One spot above the mighty powerhouse of Jordan.

It's sad commentary that when we do produce a player that is any good, Hargreaves, he wouldn't play for us. Hopefully, the MLS will change things for us in the future.

All the great athletes that Canada produces opt for more regionally popular sports like hockey or track&field. The fastest man in the world in the 90's was Canadian, and much of the tricks and passing vision someone like Gretzky or Crosby have in hockey could be comparable to football had they played that sport from a young age instead.

In Canada there are junior hockey teams in every community center in every major city, and kids grow up dreaming of being the best hockey player while playing in between paved roads in the suburbs from morning until night. If there was a football culture there we would be seeing Canada probably in the top 20.