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Edinson Cavani, the Uruguay striker who plays for Napoli in the Italian league, is somewhat misleadingly nicknamed the Matador despite the 6' 2" forward's style of play being much more akin to that of a bull.The 24-year-old (born February 14, 1987) has been having his way with Serie A defenders since joining Napoli in 2010, scoring 26 times in 35 appearances, a return that has reportedly caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Although he signed a contract extension that is scheduled to run until 2016, the Uruguayan has said he will consider a move.
By way of an introduction, here are five factoids (descriptions doubtless featuring varying degrees of accuracy) about Cavani:
- "He may be bashful and somewhat coy off the pitch but on it he lives up to his fearless nickname and although carrying little or no bulk within his six-foot frame he possess that willowy elasticity that enables him to ride challenges and the fleet-footed grace to escape into space after evading a marker. His temperament has never been under discussion even within the shirt-pulling confines of the Italian penalty area where he has received his fair share of harsh treatment - and once again his outlook is always that of the team before self." (Sabotage Times)
- "Cavani is a versatile striker who, despite his size, can move all around the attacking positions, and even play as an attacking midfielder. Nevertheless, his natural position is centre-forward...
"His idol in football is his older brother Walter Guglielmone, formerly of Nacional, who currently plays in Azerbaijan." (Goal.com)
- "A promising striker who has a lot of talent, and might be putting it together. Towards the early part of the season he would have been described in the Serie A as a guy with a lot of talent, who has no sense of the goal. He had improved slightly with his headers, but still very inaccurate with his shots. Currently he has been described by commentators as an 'Instinctive Finisher' and 'Deadly Accurate'. Now this made me laugh, because I have been watching him all season, and he is far from deadly accurate. Has he had some very accurate goals ... yes. But as far as his overall play has been, I would have said he was one of the most inaccurate CF's in the Serie A. He has improved, and developed a bit of a finishing quality, that has gotten him the high goal total this season. But a lot of his goals have been headers as well. But his Shot accuracy has improved with confidence ... He runs a lot, and tracks back defensively to help out. Has the ability to beat people 1v1 with his good agility, decent acceleration, solid dribbling, and good pace. His Dribbling Accuracy is better than his inconsistent 1st touch. One major criticism this season, is that he tries to do too much on his own." (PES Stats Database)
- " The Uruguay international is a target of several top European clubs after an excellent campaign with the Serie A outfit.
"Cavani was instrumental in Napoli's third-placed finish this season, scoring 26 league goals. 'I should have my license as president of Napoli taken away if I sell Cavani unless it is for 100 million euros,' said Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis to Corriere dello Sport. 'He (Cavani) recently signed a contract extension and I have given him a good deal, which he merits.'" (Fifa.com)
- "They call him El Matador, and not because he's a thrill-seeker who lives on the edge by taunting angry bulls.
"Instead, Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani has earned that nickname because he's the kind of player who takes charge from the moment he steps onto a soccer field." (CBC Sports)
In his own words:
"I think that soccer, for me - if I get to a field, and I have a ball at my feet and a net in front of me, I can spend a whole day just trying to score. I like having contact with the ball. That's why I'm a striker.
"Because it's then that I thank God for giving me the skills I need to play soccer, the skills to score a goal and the opportunity to play at a World Cup. That's one of the greatest things that a soccer player can do." (CBC Sports)
And finally, a few clips of Cavani in action:
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