Profile: Pepe

The latest Real Madrid signing is an incredible ‘golpe de talonario’ (chequebook coup) as the Merengue club is reported to have paid €30 million for the ex-FC Porto central defender. After Fabio Cannavaro arrived from Juventus (with Emerson) for €20 million in 2006, the same being paid to Newcastle for Jonathan Woodgate in 2004 and Walter Samuel was swiped from AS Roma for €25 million, who is the new man with the difficult challenge of sealing the Real Madrid rearguard…?

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With a name like Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira, it’s small wonder that the player is known as Pepe, but few fans know little more about the flamboyant new signing charged with a task that has seen seasoned veterans ripped to shreds by press and fans. Starting with the basics, Pepe was born on February 26th 1983 in the town of Maceió on the sun-kissed north-eastern Brazilian coast.

Maceió is the capital of the state of Alagoas, and it was in his home state that the young Pepe made his debut as a footballer. Although it may not appear so at first glance, this coastal location was a defining factor for Pepe as he used the sandy beaches – sunny almost all-year round – to train, honing his now trademark power and speed on the demanding and unforgiving surface.

His father was relentless in the background as he instilled a fierce, quasi-military sense of discipline and a quest for perfection in his son. The sand sculpted his leg muscles and the sea was used to force him to leap against extra force to perfect his headers, the father raising the bar even further by strapping weights to his legs.

This harsh regime paid off as Pepe began his career at modest local outfit Sport Club Corinthians Alagoano at just 17 years of age. SC Corinthians Alagoano may ring a bell for some, and was, in fact, was named in honour of São Paulo greats SC Corinthians Paulista in 1991. Despite such a lack of history, the Timão da Serraria webpage lists a series of players who have gone on to bigger things.

Most of Pepe’s team-mates made the leap to Europe via Portugal and minor teams in the Superliga, a.k.a. Bwin Liga, such as Alexandre (Acadêmica de Coimbra), Balu, Ytalo and Olberdam (Marítimo), Cássio and Rodrigo Silva (Nacional da Madeira), Elias and Willams (Paços de Ferreira), Junior (Desportivo Aves), Marco Antônio (União de Leiria).

Some others went to Korea and Japan and Marcelinho Paraíba became a hero at Hertha Berlin, but the more well-known found fame at FC Porto. Deco was the first to make it to stardom, Pepe and close friend Ezequias following in the Barcelona number 20's footsteps – although with a stopover before landing in the northern Portuguese city and the blue-and-white Dragões (Dragons).

Both signed for CS Marítimo B team on the Atlantic island of Madeira in 2001, Pepe getting his first taste of foreign action at the age of 18. After playing ten matches in his first season, Pepe was promoted to the first team for the 2002/03 season. His partnership with Dutchman Mitchell van der Gaag in the Marítimo defence brought praise and recognition as the youngster showcased his talents.

As his profile was raised, Turkish giants Galatasaray tried to sign him but the talks fell through and Pepe went on to flourish under new Coach Anatoliy Byshovets, showing his polyvalent versatility by propping up the rearguard as a holding midfielder and even venturing into attack to prove he wasn’t merely a clumpy chopper with youth on his side.

Pepe's growing prowess and evident potential brought FC Porto knocking at his door, Marítimo selling the defender on with what – at the time – seemed like a phenomenally good offer from the Dragões: One million Euros! The move was celebrated by the player as his chance to make it really big with the Champions League winners at a tender age and he left for the mainland with high hopes.

His first season under humourless Dutch Coach Co Adriaanse was a mixed bag, Pepe going through the typical transition year with neither roaring success nor funereal failure. He was benched in favour of established centre-backs Pedro Emanuel, Jorge Costa, and Ricardo Costa and had to wait his turn for a place in the first eleven, only starting 14 times.

It would be the following season that the chance came – and Pepe was confirmed as a real star defender in his own right with 24 first eleven appearances. Co Adriaanse followed in the footsteps of other Dutch Coaches such as Cruyff and Van Gaal by adopting a risky three-man defence and saw the Brazilian as the perfect man to be his lynchpin.

Adriaanse – who many, including fellow Brazilians Luis Fabiano (Sevilla) and Diego (Werder Bremen) hated with a passion – was his first mentor in the top-flight. The Dutch tactician wanted to rejuvenate his team and chose three young players as the backbone of his team: Pepe in defence with Portuguese star Ricardo Quaresma and Brazilian Paulo Assunção in midfield.

Pepe proved capable of holding up to the intense pressure of being the ‘last man standing’ in Adriaanse’s 3-3-4 formation, protecting Vitor Baia and then Helton from most attacks with consistent performances that dripped class and concentration combined with refined talent and a maturity way beyond his years.

The press raved about Pepe as an immense tower of strength, speed and virtually unbeatable in one-on-ones – on the ground or in the air – even against the best that both Portuguese and European competition could throw at him. At the start of the 2006/07 season Pepe, generally averse to public speaking, attained EU status via acquired Portuguese citizenship and spoke of his desire to play for his adopted home.

Although his mentor Co Adriaanse left under a cloud, Pepe showed that he was no longer dependent on guidance to triumph. Playing under the orders of ex-Boavista helmer Jesualdo Ferreira, Pepe appeared 25 times in the starting team and continued to impress with great showing on a clockwork basis.

After meeting with fellow Brazilian ex-pat Felipão (Luiz Filipe Scolari) the player looks set to follow Deco once more and turn his back on the Brazilian Seleção in favour of the Portuguese Selecção das Quinas. At club level he became the object of desire of most European greats, although the vast majority balked at an extremely high asking price.

Real Madrid appeared where others slammed phones down and locked their club coffers in response to what was seen as the ludicrous demands of sulphurous FC Porto President Pinto da Costa (with a reputation for rivalling Satan in his bidding strategies). According to reports from the Portuguese CMVM (Price Regulation Body) Real will cough up €30 million for the ex-FC Porto central defender. Crazy or prophetic? We will soon see.

Player Profile – PEPE

Full Name: Képler Laveran Lima Ferreira

Nickname: Pepe

DOB: 26/02/1983

POB: Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil

Nationality: Brazilian / Portuguese (Dual Nationality)

Height: 186cm

Weight: 74 Kg

Position: Centre-Back / Centre-Half / Midfielder (right-sided bias, but able to play on both sides)

Professional Clubs

2001-2002: SC Corinthians Alagoas

2002-30/06/2004: Marítimo

01/07/2004 – 10/07/2007: FC Porto

10/07/2007 – : Real Madrid CF

Trophies

Portuguese League (Superliga / Bwin Liga: 2006, 2007

Copa de Portugal: 2006, 2007

Supercopa de Portugal: 2006

Liverpool Can Make My Dreams Come True - Torres

Fernando Torres believes that he can achieve all the ambitions at Liverpool at he was unable to at Atlético de Madrid and claims that was the key reason he switched clubs.

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The Spain international striker recognises that he has taken a step up after his €32m transfer to Anfield and is relishing the prospect of working under Rafael Benítez.

“I know how much everyone at Liverpool want to win the title because it’s been many years since the club has done it,” he told the Liverpool Echo.

“But with the squad we have right now I’m sure we can compete for all the trophies.

“Unfortunately, Atletico isn’t at the level it should be given the size of the club and its history. I hoped to reach certain targets and achieve ambitions with Atletico but it wasn’t possible.

“Liverpool are always competing for the league or Champions League and I feel I needed to take this step to compete against the best players in the world.

“After being in two Champions League finals in three years, Liverpool has the respect it deserves so it’s not difficult to understand why I would want to come here.

“There were other factors in my decision, of course. Having a Spanish manager and other Spanish players who’ve told me about the club makes it better for me, but mainly I want to compete for important trophies.”

Torres is enjoying the adulation of his new fans without having kicked a ball yet, but he knows that the hard work is to come and is ready to show what he can do.

“If I had the idea I’d already be a success just by joining Liverpool, I wouldn’t have come,” the 23-year-old continued.

“To achieve the level the people here demand of me I know I will have to work hard all the time.

“To hit this level I must be focused completely on my football. I could have stayed where I was comfortable, but what attracted me to Liverpool is it’s a working team.

“The manager has put a mentality into the team that means everyone must work hard for success.

“This is known to be a key characteristic of Benítez’s side and I like this."

After rising through the ranks at Atlético, Torres became an icon of the Spanish club and he thinks that there are similarities between his new and old teams.

“I also like that Liverpool is a working class area with supporters who I believe are similar to those of Atletico, who appreciate and respect hard work," he explained.

“At this kind of club, there is usually a special bond between the players and the supporters. It means there is a different spirit about the city and the club compared to some others.

“Although the players have told me about the mentality of the Liverpool people, and how the fans are, I don’t think this is something which can be explained in words.

“It is only something I can understand when I play my first game at Anfield against Chelsea. Then I will fully know about the relationship between the Liverpool supporters and the players.

“Every club has its own identity and players who are icons, but it takes time, good performance and good results to earn respect,” he says.

“I understand that Liverpool has (Jamie) Carragher and Steven Gerrard who have that link with the supporters because they’ve been here and great players for a long time.

“At Atletico, I was young and a supporter of the club so I had a similar relationship with the fans, but I recognise to achieve the same here will only be possible with hard work. I can promise I will try my best.

“Everything has been perfect so far. I’ve only had a small opportunity to walk around the city but the reception towards me has been very warm, which instantly makes me feel comfortable.

“I’ve been amazed by the club because already I see the big difference in the organisation of the English and Spanish clubs in terms of the attention shown to the players.

“It makes me realise there is still a lot to learn in Spain. I would like to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome.”

Zidane Won't Follow Beckham

Zinedine Zidane has rejected the chance to come out of retirement and join David Beckham in the MLS after reports linked him with a move to LA Galaxy.

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The former France international midfielder, who is now a United Nations Development Program's Goodwill Ambassador, was publicly invited to move to the United States by Galaxy chief Alexei Lalas, but he does not want to make a come back.

After retiring from the professional game after the World Cup Final last summer, Zidane has been involved in charity and commerical work and does not feel the urge to start playing once more.

"I will not come back, no," he said.

"When you stop for a year, it's very hard to start again. What matters to me today is the chance to do everything I couldn't do before - spending time with my family and my friends, promoting some events and discovering the world.

"There is life after football - or, at least, there has been for me. The past 12 months have been very different, but my life is as full now as it was when I was playing football."

Zidane believes that Beckham has made the right decision to try a new start in Caliornia and was delighted to see his former team-mate lift the title before leaving Madrid.

"I respect his decision and I wish him all the best in his new life," he continued.

"I was very happy, because I consider myself to be Madrid's number one supporter. They produced an amazing turnaround in the second half of the season," he added.

"I am really happy for them to have recovered in such a manner. It was good for the team, good for the club and great for the players, particularly David Beckham. He deserved to win a title before leaving Madrid."

Gabi Milito Excited By Messi Link Up

Gabriel Milito is excited about the prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi every day after agreeing a deal to join FC Barcelona.

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The 26-year-old completed a deal to move to Camp Nou for €17.5m while on duty at the Copa América and could not hide his delight.

During the negotiations, Milito admitted that Lionel Messi had told him everything about the Blaugrana and now he is looking forward to joining his new team-mate.

"I am going to enjoy playing next to him every day," he said. "He is a spectacular player, a phenomenon.

"I do mean any disrespect, but I prefer to talk about this for the first time when I am at Barcelona.

"I am very pleased with the move and I am very excited by it.

"But now I am just waiting to sign the contract and take the medical before saying too much more."

The central defender is focussing on Argentina's appearance in the Copa América final on Sunday and was not prepared to say much about his move.

Despite being pressed by members of the Catalan press pack in Venezuela, Milito insisted that he would think about Barça on Monday.

"It is one of the most important games in my career and I want to just focus on that.

"I have nothing more to say, sorry.

"Barça have not forbidden me to do anything. I do not want to talk about that because now is not the time. But I am happy by what has happened."

Riquelme Close To Atlético Move

Riquelme Close To Atlético Move Atlético de Madrid are closing in on a deal to sign Juan Román Riquelme from Villarreal after the player advised his agents to begin talks with the club.

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Reports in Spain suggest that the Yellow Submarine and los Colchoneros are close to agreeing a fee of aorund €10m for the Argentinian midfielder.

A deal can be pushed through once Riquelme accepts the personal terms on offer and he is being kept updated on the talks while he focusses on the Copa América.

Riquelme became a hero at Villarreal, but fell out with the board and coaching staff after returning late from holidays and missing training sessions.

A loan deal was quickly agreed with Boca Juniors during the winter transfer window, earlier this year, after he was told he would not play for the Spanish side again.

Despite a successful return to la Bombonera, where he helped Boca to win the Copa Libertadores, the 29-year-old does not want to return home on a permanent basis and is keen to try his luck at Atlético.

Manchester United were said to be interested towards the end of the season, but an offer by the Red Devils was rejected by Villarreal.

As state that Milan, Inter and Lyon are also monitoring his situation, but he does not want to move Italy or France and has set his heart on teaming up with Diego Forlán once again.

The pair were central to Villarreal's drive to the Champions League semi finals two seasons ago as they created an understanding that guided the Castellonese outfit forward.

Forlán has already moved to Atlético, after los Colchoneros met his buy-out clause, and Riquelme is set to join him once the Copa América finishes on Sunday.

Drogba Persuaded Me, Explains Malouda

Chelsea's new signing Florent Malouda has revealed that he was persuaded into making the switch to Stamford Bridge by close friend Didier Drogba.

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The French winger was torn between making a move to Chelsea or Liverpool, amongst other interested parties, but Drogba helped win him over as the pair link up for a second time.

The duo were team-mates at Guingamp and when the Ivory Coast striker moved on to Marseille he tried to persuade the player to join him, but Malouda ended up with French giants Lyon, who he left last week for £13.5million.

He said: "It's been from the first time he played at Chelsea. When he played in Marseille he tried to make me come to Marseille too.

"He told me about a lot of things and I have already been to Stamford Bridge and to London a lot of times to see the atmosphere and how the fans support their team.

"And I saw it was a place for me to grow in my career.

"When we played together in Guingamp and he went to Marseille and I went to Lyon, we didn't know if one day we could play together.

"Now he is a better player, a very top striker and for me in Lyon, I have more experience, I'm stronger and I'm ready to have a good championship in England.

Malouda is used to success having been with unstoppable French champions Lyon, but he is still anxious to achieve more in the Premiership with Chelsea.

He added: "For me, it is an evolution in my career and I came to Chelsea to try and win all the competitions I haven't won already.

"I think the group and the players are competitive and that's why I came here and for me and for my career in the French national team too, it's important to live in new stadiums with all those fans and it will be a big experience for me.

"The English championship is hard, it's strong and you have to be at 150% every time and I hope that it will be a success for me."