Sheffield United midfielder Vinicius Souza has been speaking to a Brazilian media outlet recently. And his comments have certainly stirred up the fan base after some strange choice of wording.
The 24-year-old has been a mainstay in the Blades’ midfield for much of his debut season in the Premier League. When United splashed out a reported figure of around £10 million, many were unaware of what he could even bring to the table having played on loan for Espanyol in La Liga. It’s fair to say he has been incredibly inconsistent this term.
Nevertheless, the Brazilian defensive midfielder believes the only reason he has not been selected for the national team is because of Sheffield United’s league position. He explained to Coluna do Fla.
“Not because of me, but because of the situation at my club. I think that for the national team it’s a bit of a problem. That’s my opinion. But not in relation to my football. I think that for my football I could [get called up], I really could. But there’s the whole thing, you know.
“My team doesn’t keep the ball much either. That’s very important for the national team.”
Vinicius Souza hits out at Sheffield United
Souza’s comments are very strange considering he has been at fault for some of United’s goals this season. While he’s combatant and can break play down that’s in front of him, he has a significant weakness.
Quite often, Souza tends to ball watch, thus allowing opposition players to run off the back of him. I don’t know if it’s laziness or a focus issue. Either way, it’s a huge negative tendency and one I think will definitely be exploited in the Championship – I would personally look to sell the Brazilian in the summer and search for a more athletic anchor man.
I don’t think this is a big deal at all. He’s just saying that Sheffield United don’t play to a standard or style that the Brazilian coaches would want their players to be regularly playing in to get up to international standard for one of the top international teams. Let’s not be too precious.
What he did neglect to say though is that he isn’t good enough for Brazil. Can’t fault his confidence in himself though.