Join Now  | 
Home About Contact Us Privacy & Security Advertise
Soccer America Daily Special Edition Around The Net Soccer Business Insider College Soccer Reporter Youth Soccer Reporter Soccer on TV Soccer America Classifieds
Paul Gardner: SoccerTalk Soccer America Confidential Youth Soccer Insider World Cup Watch
RSS Feeds Archives Manage Subscriptions Subscribe
Order Current Issue Subscribe Manage My Subscription Renew My Subscription Gift Subscription
My Account Join Now
Tournament Calendar Camps & Academies Soccer Glossary Classifieds
Grafite to Take Head-Clearing Break
ESPN SoccerNet, October 23rd, 2009 3:30PM
Subscribe to Section 2 Around the Net


MOST READ


Wolfsburg striker Grafite hasn't had the same start to the Bundesliga season as he had last year. After scoring a league-high 28 goals last season, Grafite has found the net only twice this year. Other frustrations for the striker include making headlines for fighting with Coach Armin Veh and drawing a red card in Wolfsburg's Champions League draw with Besiktas.

To cope with the mounting pressure on Grafite, Veh suggested a break. "Grafite is a very emotional man who has put himself under too much pressure in recent weeks after the success of last season," Veh said. "He has got to get his mind free quickly and, to do that, he needs to switch off completely. The best way for that to work is if he changes scenery for a few days. I am convinced that it will do him good and he will come back stronger."

Grafite will not report for training or play in the Wolves' Bundesliga match against Hertha Berlin on Sunday. He has already flown back to his native Brazil to move out of the spotlight. "It is easier for me to switch off there," he said. "This break is important for me. Things are not going well for me at the moment and I need a new beginning. But I am confident that the fans will soon get to see the old Grafite." Striker Obafemi Martins is expected to replace Grafite this weekend.

 

Read the original story...


No comments yet.

Sign in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Join Now


AUTHORS

ARCHIVES
FOLLOW SOCCERAMERICA

Recent Section 2 Around the Net
Confusion Reigns Over Neymar's Price     
According to reports in Spain, the going rate for Barcelona target Neymar has suddenly jumped: Marca ...
UCL Spots Up for Grabs This Weekend    
Arsenal and Tottenham aren't the only two teams fighting for the final UEFA Champions League berth ...
Ferguson: 'I Pressured Referees'    
Ahead of his final game in charge of Manchester United this weekend, Alex Ferguson admits that ...
Media Reacts to Beckham's Retirement    
Global media have spent the last 24 hours eulogizing (and in some cases, criticizing) David Beckham's ...
Kidd to Stay on Despite City Exodus    
Brian Kidd, Manchester City's caretaker manager for the remainder of the season, said that the firing ...
Falcao to Monaco '90 Percent Certain'    
Radamel Falcao, the sought-after Atletico Madrid striker who has long been at the top of Chelsea ...
Copa Lib: Riquelme Golazo Fires Boca to Quarterfinals    
A breathtaking goal from veteran Juan Roman Riquelme proved to be the difference as Boca Juniors ...
Benitez Gets His Trophy, Lampard Gets His Contract    
In the end, Chelsea interim coach Rafael Benitez finally received some recognition from the club's supporters, ...
Beckham Announces Retirement    
Former Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham announced on Thursday that this season would be his ...
Malaga to Release City Target Pellegrini     
Malaga on Tuesday confirmed that Manuel Pellegrini is free to leave the Spanish club this summer. ...
>> Section 2 Around the Net Archives