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Norwich acted swiftly in the transfer market this summer to snatch a £8.5 million deal for this highly rated Dutch striker who was targeted by many clubs in Europe.
At Sporting Lisbon he developed as a striker but can also be deployed effectively in the attacking midfield position. He has scored some vital goals in both the previous leagues he had played in and has built a reputation for scoring hat-tricks over the years. In two seasons at Sporting he scored around 28 goals, a decent return for a striker.
Is he good enough for top leagues!
At 1.86 meters, he might not have a dominating physical presence in the box but he utilizes his awareness near the goal to full advantage. He is a modern day poacher who beats defenders with quick turn of pace and excellent first touch. His style can be compared to that of Chicharito, as he prefers to stand on the toes of the last defender- always looking to collect a through ball or a cross. Ricky has been accused of missing simple chances but has a decent shooting record overall. He can be very effective even as a substitute in the latter stages of the game when defenders are tired and are bound to make judgmental errors.
He acknowledges that a move to EPL was suggested by his national team mate and the best striker in the league, Robin Van Persie, and expects to emulate his dutch counterpart. We hope that the “Van” factor in his name favors his chances of matching the impact his dutch predecessors had had in the league.
At £8.5 million he might not be a bargain but it’s difficult to assess the price in today’s market and is better for Norwich to have completed the deal instead of missing out on him to any rival. A dream start against Everton has diminished some doubts over his quality but his first season will be under scrutiny as many pundits continue to doubt his ability for the English game.
