I’m on holiday this week (in Portugal) so content from me will be limited. In advance of my trip I decided to look at the best Portuguese players in non-league, and chose the 5 who stood out most.
5. Anderson Pinto
28 year old Pinto played 27 games last season for relegated Billericay, and the Portuguese attacking midfielder is perhaps fortunate to find himself on this lift. That being said, Pinto did show his quality in flashes; he did make 0.3 key passes per 90, as well as 0.36 smart passes per 90. Whilst neither are staggering, for a relegated side they are decent.
Pinto did manage 3 assists and 1 goal, meaning he directly contributed to 9.75% of Town’s goals. Clearly a creative player that has been hampered by the quality of side he played for, Pinto sneaks onto this list.
4. Kevin Santos
Darlington’s young winger Kevin Santos certainly caught the eye last season in his 38 appearances, scoring 4 goals and 1 assist. A quick tricky winger, Santos attempted 6.58 dribbles per 90, showing he loved the ball at his feet (45.78% of these were successful). Santos also attempted 1.86 shots per 90, showing what an attack minded wide man he is.
A former Vitoria Setubal youngster, at just 22 Santos has a lot of time to improve. If he can add even more end product to his game he will be a very dangerous winger. I believe he will build upon his first season at Darlington.
3. Sido Jombati
At 34, defender Sido Jombati is the oldest player in the 5, and at 6ft4, he’s also the tallest. A youth product of Sporting CP in Lisbon, Jombati was with the Green and Whites in 1997, 2 and a half decades ago. A stalwart in the EFL, where he has made over 250 appearances, Jombati is a versatile defender who can play right back or through the centre of defence.
Part of an Ebbsfleet side that narrowly missed out on promotion to the National League, Jombati played 30 times in the league, and appeared in both play off games too. Solid defensively, Jombati won 69.94% of his defensive duels, as well as 68.18% of his aerial duels. Clearly a defensive stalwart, Jombati has every right to be on this list.
2. Mauro Vilhete
A versatile forward plying his trade for National League Dagenham, Mauro Vilhete has an outside chance that he may not qualify for this list next season, by virtue of being an EFL player. Vilhete made over 200 appearances for Barnet, yet Vilhete found himself in the lower reaches of non-league football over the past few seasons, before making a return for Dagenham last season, appearing 37 times, scoring 4 times and assisting once.
A creative player, Vilhete makes 0.5 key passes per 90, and 0.53 smart passes per 90. He also makes an impressive 1.35 deep completions per 90, 9th highest in the National League. This underlines what a creative player Vilhete is, especially around the opposition box. Vilhete also takes 1.98 shots per 90, a large total, showing his attacking intent.
Honourable Mention: Erico Sousa
This was a tricky call, as Sousa’s last game was in non-league (the play off final), and he’s been released by his club Grimsby Town, and at the time of writing is still unattached. He was however promoted to the EFL; couple this with the fact he technically hasn’t got a club, I just felt the waters were too murky to include him.
If he was, he would slot in here at number 2. A small, creative midfielder, Sousa is a slick operator, one who contributed to Grimsby’s promotion. Many were shocked when he was released, and there is good reason why; Sousa is a very classy operator.
1. Ruben Rodrigues
At the time of writing, Ruben Rodrigues is still a non-league player, and as such he goes in at the number one spot. Some may consider Rodrigues to be the finest footballer full stop in the National League, so his status as the best Portuguese in non-league is secure, and it’s easy to see why. Rodrigues netted 20 goals in the league last season, 4th highest in the division, from a role which can hardly be called a conventional striker. Often operating in behind the striker, or in a wing type role, Rodrigues’ output was absurd, and with a further 6 assists, Rodrigues’ stats look even more impressive.
Rodrigues is about as well rounded an attacker the National League is likely to see. He can finish, but he can also create; he came second in the smart passes rankings, recording 1.31 per 90, an incredibly high number. He also made 0.55 key passes per 90, a figure showing his ability to create. Rodrigues can score, assist and isn’t afraid of a challenge. He’s a natural footballer, who won’t be in the National League for long. If he does stay, we should all take the chance to appreciate his brilliance this season while we can.
xN: Expected Nonsense 