D'Alessandro ready to dazzle

'New Maradona'
In the summer of 2003, Argentinian international D'Alessandro made the surprise move to VfL Wolfsburg for a club-record €9m fee. Diminutive but skilful, great things were expected of the exciting playmaker who had earned comparisons with Diego Maradona. Two and a half years later, though, coach Klaus Augenthaler decided to dispense with his classy midfielder. "I do not need eleven Maradonas on the field - I need players who are willing to fight for their team," said Augenthaler.

Feeling misunderstood
From the very beginning, D'Alessandro struggled to settle in Germany. Great levels of expectation had been placed on his young shoulders, as supporters of the unfashionable Bundesliga outfit saw their new idol as something of a Messiah. The South American's ability on the ball was never in question; his attitude off it, however, was. "I am tired of hearing I have to work on my defensive game," he grumbled. "There are other players to do these sort of jobs." Whether this attitude towards teamwork goes down well at a side struggling to avoid relegation from the Premiership remains to be seen.

International class
The hyperbole surrounding 'the new Maradona', although excessive, was not entirely unfounded. The 24-year-old impressed hugely at the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship, where his flair for producing the unexpected at the right time won numerous admirers. He also excelled at CA River Plate, developing a superb understanding with Javier Saviola, for whom he created countless goalscoring chances. D'Alessandro subsequently gained full international honours, collecting 22 caps and scoring three goals for his country, proving himself a viable alternative to Pablo Aimar and Juan Román Riquelme in the playmaking role.

Mercurial menace
Unfortunately, the mercurial Argentinian has not hit such heights in less salubrious company. In 61 top-flight appearances for Wolfsburg, D'Alessandro registered eight goals and provided 18 assists, but frustrated at being increasingly singled out for rough treatment, was also sent off twice. "He must learn that his game is not over when he loses possession," added Augenthaler. "Instead, this is when the game actually starts. This sort of mistake can be deadly."

Wolfsburg relief
"I am sure his move to Portsmouth is the right decision for him and for us," added Wolfsburg general manager Klaus Fuchs. "It is important that the team can now focus on the work that needs to be done in the second half of the season." This had not been the case over recent weeks with D'Alessandro proving a permanent distraction to the cause.

Magnificent coup?
Signing the 2002 Olympic Games winner could turn out to be a magnificent coup for Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp, but many observers will be interested to see how 'the new Maradona' adapts to the physicality of the Premiership - not least in Germany.