Leeds United’s Stuart Dallas has laughed off the comparisons with Cafu on TalkSport (10/10/20 at 9:10 am) and claimed that he is ‘miles off that’.
The 29-year-old, who was born in Northern Ireland, has been dubbed the ‘Cookstown Cafu’ – the name of his hometown and being compared with the two-time World Cup-winning Brazilian star.
A number of players are always compared to legendary figures from their fans, with Dallas’ own teammates, Kalvin Phillips, dubbed ‘the Yorkshire Pirlo’.
Dallas is Leeds United’s go-to man in regards to being able to play in any position, and when asked about how he likes those Cafu comparisons, this is how he reacted.
“I don’t know who made that up,” Dallas laughed. “It sort of stuck with me for the last a year or so, but it’s good to be compared to a great like that.
“But I am miles off that yet.”
Leeds United’s record transfers
- Rodrigo (2020)
£26 million
- Raphinha
£21 million (2020)
- Rio Ferdinand (2000)
£18 million
- Diego Llorente (2020)
£18 million
- Helder Costa (2020)
£16 million
A player like Dallas is perhaps the definition of the stellar job Marcelo Bielsa has done at Elland Road during these past few years.
The Northern Irishman can play in either fullback position, at centre-back, in midfield or out wide and has been one of their star performers during these early stages of the season.
Whilst Dallas doesn’t have a serious burst of pace, he has enough to go past an opponent, technically he has a very soft first touch, can use either foot, his passing is underrated and he has this ability to drive at the opposition from deep.
He is becoming a top-class performer and to be compared to such a legendary figure in Cafu is clearly pleasing for him.
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