Reuters Soccer Blog
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Alves not in seventh heaven at Heerenveen
Europe’s finest should be queueing up to sign Afonso Alves after he scored a Dutch top-flight record of seven goals in Heerenveen’s 9-0 thrashing of Heracles Almelo on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Brazil striker is desperate to move on but his actions in recent months and a full analysis of his footballing attributes may be holding him back.
Alves has never attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs with some commentators saying he lacks the technique of fellow Brazilians Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Kaka.
His right foot fires at goal from any position, however, which helped him become the Dutch first division’s top scorer last season with 34 goals from 31 matches.
Heerenveen embraced their hero but after winning the Copa America with Brazil in July, Alves demanded a move from the mid-table Dutch side, who valued him at 20 million euros, much to Alves and his agent’s disgust.
A transfer to AZ Alkmaar fell through and Alves left to play two friendlies for Brazil in the U.S. and refused to turn out for a struggling Heerenveen on his return.
Last Sunday he made his first start with some in the crowd refusing to cheer him on. Seven goals later and the Heerenveen faithful had taken him back into their hearts.
