Francisco 'Chico' Geraldes (Athletic Club | Brazil)

Surprised his name can even be written on the page given his 8m height. 

Footage/Highlights of Chico

https://youtu.be/9k6UytJprKc?si=Pt5skWDxY_G1RtoJ - Sporting B
https://youtu.be/JIvixlX0Jvc?si=LPaRnwUI_TJeJrJo - Throughout his career 

Anyone know a good Portuguese chant that we can repurpose to welcome him?

I look forward to the derby, when Nando Pijnaker is trying to tackle our Portuguese midfielder.  The chants we could get from that are limitless.

Simon B

Anyone know a good Portuguese chant that we can repurpose to welcome him?

No idea. 

But maybe something like "Portuguese is sexier than Spanish......."

In a nod to Chico & Retre (Portuguese born dad), verus Auckland's 3 Spanish speakers of May, Moreno & Gallegos

FYI - Retre's dad came to Aussie as a 12 year old, and played in the old NSL in the 1990s

In Europe and Latin America, the Portuguese are known as quite sad, pessimistic and melancholic. These traits are represented in "Fado" the typical music style of Portugal and in the word "saudade" which has no translation in any other language and I recommend you to look what it stands for. Saudade is essentially same as longing or yearning for something.. good luck with that 😂

Simon B

Anyone know a good Portuguese chant that we can repurpose to welcome him?

Nixieboys222

In Europe and Latin America, the Portuguese are known as quite sad, pessimistic and melancholic. These traits are represented in "Fado" the typical music style of Portugal and in the word "saudade" which has no translation in any other language and I recommend you to look what it stands for. Saudade is essentially same as longing or yearning for something.. good luck with that 😂

Simon B

Anyone know a good Portuguese chant that we can repurpose to welcome him?

Have to say my many Portuguese friends in the UK are certainly not like that all though they do pine for sunshine... Much like we antipodeans living in the UK also do.

Nixieboys222

In Europe and Latin America, the Portuguese are known as quite sad, pessimistic and melancholic. These traits are represented in "Fado" the typical music style of Portugal and in the word "saudade" which has no translation in any other language and I recommend you to look what it stands for. Saudade is essentially same as longing or yearning for something.. good luck with that 😂

Simon B

Anyone know a good Portuguese chant that we can repurpose to welcome him?

Saudade - like a run of wins like

Hard to know if he'll be any good considering that he is unwanted by both his club in Malaysia and the club he has been on loan to in the Spanish Second Div.

The Nix are his tenth club in ten years - a lot of loan moves.
Francisco Geraldes - Wikipedia

15 appearances in Sporting Lisbon's first team in his five years there (mostly out on loan).

Not a goal-scorer - has only scored nine league goals in his whole senior career.
Only made five appearances for Johor Darul in the current Malaysian season which started in May last year and finishes in April.
2024–25 Malaysia Super League - Wikipedia
Was then cut from the squad and replaced by another foreign player (Geraldes either wasn't considered good enough or he wanted to leave, not sure which)

Chico Geraldes was then sent on loan in August 2024 to Eldense, one of the smallest clubs in the Spanish second tier but after three appearances hasn't played any football since October due to his loan club having no room for him.

He has only been training with them since then while looking for another loan club.

Chiefy did say that lately clubs have been playing him as a 6 or 8, but at the Nix he'll be a 10, where Chico himself wants to play.

That will feed off Geraldes's statement that he 'wants to find his love for football again'. He obviously sees himself as that creative midfielder, and now he has a coach in Giancarlo who thinks he can do that job.

We wait to find out. Who knows, though only 9 senior goals isn't super encouraging. Rojas by comparison has 56 goals in 268 senior games over the ALM, Europe & Chile. Chiefy made mention of Chico being signed because Marco is injured.

Clayton Lewis saw himself as a 10, but Talay disagreed. Uffie was probably correct.

From the above comments I would suggest it was wise to only take him on a loan and see how happy everyone is at the end of the season.  I agree with Big Pete 65 that there might some potential issues of motivational attitude and stickability that have stymied Chico's career so far.  Luis Figo he ain't.
At the same time I am not worried about his low goalscoring as long as he enables others.   We are sorely missing the Devlin / Ball / Bonevacia type player to pair up with Nagasawa in the midfield.

Mainland FC

From the above comments I would suggest it was wise to only take him on a loan and see how happy everyone is at the end of the season.  I agree with Big Pete 65 that there might some potential issues of motivational attitude and stickability that have stymied Chico's career so far.  Luis Figo he ain't.
At the same time I am not worried about his low goalscoring as long as he enables others.   We are sorely missing the Devlin / Ball / Bonevacia type player to pair up with Nagasawa in the midfield.

Yeah, the creativity is the biggest part of the game we are missing, Kosta will take the chances, we just need to get the ball to him in a decent spot. Assuming Geraldes plays as the central #10 hopefully he'll be able to unlock Ishige on the goal scoring front. Nagasawa and Retre/Rufer as your #6/#8

coochiee

Chiefy did say that lately clubs have been playing him as a 6 or 8, but at the Nix he'll be a 10, where Chico himself wants to play.

That will feed off Geraldes's statement that he 'wants to find his love for football again'. He obviously sees himself as that creative midfielder, and now he has a coach in Giancarlo who thinks he can do that job.

We wait to find out. Who knows, though only 9 senior goals isn't super encouraging. Rojas by comparison has 56 goals in 268 senior games over the ALM, Europe & Chile. Chiefy made mention of Chico being signed because Marco is injured.

Clayton Lewis saw himself as a 10, but Talay disagreed. Uffie was probably correct.

 Sounds like one of those midfielders that runs faster when running towards the opposition goal as opposed to when running towards their own goal.

I found my love 
In Wellington
 Geraldes
 Geraldes 
Dirty ol town 
Dirty ol town 

I get fired up
Even when we’re down 
  Geraldes
  Geraldes 

I left Malaysia and
I left Spain 
To help the Phoenix win
To help the Phoenix win

Dirty ol town
Dirty ol town

Feels a bit down beat though! Seems like a good name to stick in a lot of songs 
Could be something there. Like that last verse. 

Feel like I’ve not got the best idea of the song.

[have to make another post for the second video]

Close enough maybe. Love to hear the Fever ripping that. 

Might just the shorts v video thing: 
https://youtube.com/shorts/t3vuAeL8vKg?si=yn_r6Pu8o6Wh82sU

Crowd outside his funeral.

martinb

I found my love 
In Wellington
 Geraldes
 Geraldes 
Dirty ol town 
Dirty ol town 

I get fired up
Even when we’re down 
  Geraldes
  Geraldes 

I left Malaysia and
I left Spain 
To help the Phoenix win
To help the Phoenix win

Dirty ol town
Dirty ol town

Feels a bit down beat though! Seems like a good name to stick in a lot of songs 
Could be something there. Like that last verse. 

A bit, saudade? 

coochiee

Chiefy did say that lately clubs have been playing him as a 6 or 8, but at the Nix he'll be a 10, where Chico himself wants to play.

That will feed off Geraldes's statement that he 'wants to find his love for football again'. He obviously sees himself as that creative midfielder, and now he has a coach in Giancarlo who thinks he can do that job.

We wait to find out. Who knows, though only 9 senior goals isn't super encouraging. Rojas by comparison has 56 goals in 268 senior games over the ALM, Europe & Chile. Chiefy made mention of Chico being signed because Marco is injured.

Clayton Lewis saw himself as a 10, but Talay disagreed. Uffie was probably correct.

Talay didn't play a 10 at the Nix, so I assume he must have said something in the press to this effect?

Not sure if you ever saw Lewis play at 10, but when he played there for agge grade teams and domestically, he was excellent.

Des used him as a 10.

Big Pete 65

Hard to know if he'll be any good considering that he is unwanted by both his club in Malaysia and the club he has been on loan to in the Spanish Second Div.

The Nix are his tenth club in ten years - a lot of loan moves.
Francisco Geraldes - Wikipedia

15 appearances in Sporting Lisbon's first team in his five years there (mostly out on loan).

Not a goal-scorer - has only scored nine league goals in his whole senior career.
Only made five appearances for Johor Darul in the current Malaysian season which started in May last year and finishes in April.
2024–25 Malaysia Super League - Wikipedia
Was then cut from the squad and replaced by another foreign player (Geraldes either wasn't considered good enough or he wanted to leave, not sure which)

Chico Geraldes was then sent on loan in August 2024 to Eldense, one of the smallest clubs in the Spanish second tier but after three appearances hasn't played any football since October due to his loan club having no room for him.

He has only been training with them since then while looking for another loan club.

his malaysian team is seriously stacked. 

it will be interesting to see how good he is considering the observations you have pete, which sound reasonable. 

i'm hoping he is one of those guys who has basically had a career of training with top quality players and is just waiting for the chance to unleash himself

WanderingSheep

martinb

I found my love 
In Wellington
 Geraldes
 Geraldes 
Dirty ol town 
Dirty ol town 

I get fired up
Even when we’re down 
  Geraldes
  Geraldes 

I left Malaysia and
I left Spain 
To help the Phoenix win
To help the Phoenix win

Dirty ol town
Dirty ol town

Feels a bit down beat though! Seems like a good name to stick in a lot of songs 
Could be something there. Like that last verse. 

A bit, saudade? 

Heh. A little learning eh.

chico.jpeg 406.54 KB

Sorry Chiefy, I've made you look a bit older.

But if he plays Chief won't be able to start 7 defenders again!

Maybe that might end up being his cell number.

reg22

coochiee

Chiefy did say that lately clubs have been playing him as a 6 or 8, but at the Nix he'll be a 10, where Chico himself wants to play.

That will feed off Geraldes's statement that he 'wants to find his love for football again'. He obviously sees himself as that creative midfielder, and now he has a coach in Giancarlo who thinks he can do that job.

We wait to find out. Who knows, though only 9 senior goals isn't super encouraging. Rojas by comparison has 56 goals in 268 senior games over the ALM, Europe & Chile. Chiefy made mention of Chico being signed because Marco is injured.

Clayton Lewis saw himself as a 10, but Talay disagreed. Uffie was probably correct.

Talay didn't play a 10 at the Nix, so I assume he must have said something in the press to this effect?

Not sure if you ever saw Lewis play at 10, but when he played there for agge grade teams and domestically, he was excellent.

Des used him as a 10.

Is he down to start the el Jafico on saturday?
What impact are nix fans expecting him to make?
Is he going to own verstrate?

dick le roc returns

Is he down to start the el Jafico on saturday?
What impact are nix fans expecting him to make?
Is he going to own verstrate?

I would very much doubt he will start. I expect Chiefy to bring him on if needed with 15 to go. Him or Rojas!

Oi Oi Edgecumbe

dick le roc returns

Is he down to start the el Jafico on saturday?
What impact are nix fans expecting him to make?
Is he going to own verstrate?

I would very much doubt he will start. I expect Chiefy to bring him on if needed with 15 to go. Him or Rojas!

I reckon Rojas wont be ready, at best he'll be on the bench but wont see game time. Chico will get 25 mins I reckon.

I see him on the bench too. Maybe a 10 minute cameo if that.

LG

I see him on the bench too. Maybe a 10 minute cameo if that.

 Ten minutes is plenty of time for a game-winning assist

I swear, Chico - we're not this bad. Yeah it's not our year, but just take your time, enjoy this great weather we've been having and all the flat whites you want. Rekindle your passion for the game, and please please please find a way to return next year...you're just too good

newzealandpower

I swear, Chico - we're not this bad. Yeah it's not our year, but just take your time, enjoy this great weather we've been having and all the flat whites you want. Rekindle your passion for the game, and please please please find a way to return next year...you're just too good

he looked decent on first run out, if not totally match fit or sharp, more might still be to come. he is signed for WELLINGTON phoenix yeah? that bit about the great weather had me a bit unsure, like, he isn't signed for AFC or anything

He is a loan only, but man I knew I saw a new player when I saw his lack of hesitation. When he was about to play a pass, he did not dawdle.  Breath of fresh air. 

Mainland FC

He is a loan only, but man I knew I saw a new player when I saw his lack of hesitation. When he was about to play a pass, he did not dawdle.  Breath of fresh air. 

Or pass it back to the goalkeeper/Central Defenders

Looking forward to see him on Friday.
He looked good on TV, definitely the improvement in quality we need.

This guy must be wondering why he came out all this way.  

Procrastinixing

This guy must be wondering why he came out all this way.  

Yeah but he's playing, and has a coach who rates him. That's better than stinking up the bench in Malaysia or Spanish 2nd tier.

And if this Nix cameo opens doors to one of the Aussie clubs, or wash my mouth out AFC, he'll be happy.

He needs to get fitter though. At the moment he seems to star for 20-30 mins then fade.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360633611/scoring-his-first-goal-wellington-phoenix-francisco-geraldes-went-swimming-great-white-shark

He would like to stay here which is good to hear. 

I know it's a tall order, finding a way for him to stay with us, but it would send a real signal to the fans. I honestly haven't been this impressed with a new signing since Uli. And this is saying something given how sharkty we've been playing since he came on board. 
If he goes at season's end, it's really going to be the proverbial nail in the coffin for many of us

Des was probably at the game to check him out and sell the rebuild to him 🤞

I will actually be shocked if he's not playing for one of the melbourne or sydney sides next year