Would Adriano be good for Flamengo? (Márcia Feitosa/VIPCOMM)

Adriano is wanted at Flamengo by Flamengo fans. The only problem is that coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo doesn’t and says that he wouldn’t fit into the culture they are trying to build at the club. Now, I don’t agree with much that Luxemburgo does (strange tactical decisions and being grumpy and argumentative with journalists) but on this one I’d have to say he is right.

Adriano has just had his contract ripped up with Roma for indiscipline and doesn’t seem to be interested in taking his career seriously anymore. He has made numerous comebacks from injury and personal/alcohol problems. After leaving Inter Milan in 2009, Adriano won the 2009 League Championship with Flamengo. But 2010 didn’t go well and after separating with his girlfriend, he hit the bottle and ultimately missed out on Dunga’s World Cup squad. He returned to Italy with Roma this season but only made five appearances and scored no goals.

After countless new beginnings and controversies, I don’t think he’s the player he once was. And even when he made his successful comeback at Flamengo, he used to miss training pretty much whenever he felt like it. That can’t be good for the team, can it? Flamengo badly need a striker but I just wouldn’t take the risk for the sake of team spirit.