Rogério Ceni praises Bahia’s new striker, but warns: ‘He’s going down physically’

One of Bahia’s main signings for the season, striker Willian José arrives at Tricolor to compete for the starting position in the attack. After almost ten years in Europe and a career built in Spain that earned him the position of fourth highest Brazilian scorer in La Liga, the center forward will reunite with coach Rogério Ceni, with whom he played at São Paulo in 2012, in the Squadron.

During an interview with TNT Sports, the coach recalled when he was Willian José’s teammate and praised the striker. Ceni, however, stated that the player’s signing was made after analysis by the City Group and issued a warning about the 33-year-old player’s physical condition.

“It is an assessment of the Group [City] I needed a more experienced player, who makes a good wall. I think he arrives a little lower physically and should take a little longer than the others to debut, both in the Copa do Nordeste and in Baiano”, said the coach.

Rogério recalled that since the departure of Oscar Estupiñan, during the second transfer window last year, Bahia did not have an area center forward in the squad. Willian José will compete for position with Luciano Rodríguez and Everaldo.

“Another front player. We had the departure of Estupiñan and now Thaciano, who was a tall player who helped us a lot with the aerial ball. He will be an athlete who will help us a lot”, added the coach.

Regarding Willian José’s qualities, Ceni recalled that the striker usually finishes well. Willian was revealed at Grêmio Barueri and played for São Paulo, Grêmio and Santos before going to Europe in 2014.

On the Old Continent, he played for Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Las Palmas, Real Betis, Wolverhampton, from England, and was at Spartak Moscow, from Russia.

“I suffered a lot when I was at São Paulo, because he has a very good shot, as he takes good advantage of the goalkeeper”, he concluded.