André Vieirinha lands “11888 MVP of 2017-18” award
He is absolutely worth the ticket price. He belongs to this select category of players whose quality and technique should be admired from up close. He makes everything seem simple and effortless. Adelino Vieirinha, a luxury for Greek football, won the “Platon Foropoulos” award as the 11888 MVP of PAOK for the 2017-18 season.
Details in football are underestimated but very important. Some of them prove crucial although nobody actually realizes them as they happen. The enforced retreat of Adelino Vieirinha to left back initially seemed as a disadvantage in PAOK’s aspiration to greatness.
“Such a quality player shouldn’t waste his talent at the back”, was the predominant argument. His own as well… But Răzvan Lucescu had a different opinion. He looked past the obvious and insisted on reality. That is his job after all. Having Vieirinha at left back was and is “too much”. But that is exactly why he made a difference.
In Greek football, where eight out of ten teams wait at the back and PAOK have possession and the attacking initiative, Vieirinha was a left full-back only in theory. In reality, he would become a second winger with more space available in order to control the ball and combine with the player in front of him.
His tactical nous, dedication to the plan, personality, experience and quality did the rest. The unpredictable, tough-to-face-in-attack and reliable-in-defence André became a key figure in PAOK’s excellent performances in the second half of the season.
He missed scoring, that is true. But he kept the best for last. He would talk about that goal, he believed in it and scored it in the Greek Cup final. That goal was the second… detail that landed him the MVP title. His seven assists, his top spot in the list of successful crosses and his interceptions interpret statistically what we watched on the pitch.
However, earning the MVP award was far from easy for Vieirinha. Dimitris Pelkas proved yet again that he is growing, maturing and destined for greatness. He came in a close second in the poll, thanks to his energy, creativity and assuming responsibility. Twelve goals and as many assists speak louder than words.
He has a strong personality, will, thirst to improve and win titles. He is becoming better with every passing year. Pelkas of 2018 is totally different than Pelkas of 2015, who was totally different than Pelkas of 2012. His spectacular trajectory has us wondering for Pelkas of the future…
Fernando Varela came in third in the poll. The top defender of the 2017-18 in Greece had the honour of being designated as the season’s MVP by his team-mates.
