Article by Alexandru Barbu – Published Sunday, April 12, 2026, 11:03 / Updated Sunday, April 12, 2026 11:03
Rădoi had started with Chiricheș and in the first game since returning to FCSB, with Metaloglobus (0-0). The stopper turned defensive midfielder got injured early on then, in the 29th minute, and did not play again until last night.
Against Oțelui, Chiricheș played as a starter for 67 minutes. Used as the only “closer” in the 4-3-3 system, he was replaced in the second half.
At the end of the game, despite the categorical victory achieved by FCSB, Gigi Becali vehemently contested Radoi's choice:
I played in 10! Vlad Chiricheș is a good boy, he has done great things, but for football, he is old. I can't anymore, I can't hold my wrists, the speed of my muscles, my ligaments. I can't say about Chiricheș that he doesn't want to, but he can't play football anymore.
I'm only interested in one game, the playoffs. We have to understand that he can't anymore. I didn't know the team now, I talk to Mirel Rădoi once a week, let him do what he wants, because I'm not interested. But, for example, if he reaches the dam and wants to play with Chiricheș, even if I argue with him, I won't let him!
How Vlad Chiricheș did in FCSB – Oțelul 4-0: pluses, minuses
Offensively, Chiricheș put the ball into the box during the penalty phase obtained by Olaru, from which Tănase opened the scoring. As Oțelul almost did not matter on the National Arena, the veteran did not commit any major blunders in defense.
Beyond what was seen with the naked eye on TV, in the stadium, GSP.ro reveals the key data of Vlad Chiricheș's performance last night, according to the Wyscout monitoring portal, a company that FCSB also consults.
Vlad Chiricheș still has a contract with FCSB until the end of the season, photo: facebook.com/FCSBOfficial
Where Chiricheș was good with Oțelul:
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TO the volume of successful actions in total, 36/54where it registers a positive percentage (67%);
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accurate passes, 34/39 correct, i.e. a high percentage of 87%. Tried 9 times to send balls in front, 7 balls had an address.
18 passeshe sent Chiricheș to the side, the option he used most often. He got 17
Where Chiricheș cu Oțelul was not good:
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in duels: won only two out of 9;
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did not recover any balls in the opponent's halfso it did not decisively influence the pressure attempted by Rădoi.
6 balloonslost Chiricheș last night, two in their own 50, usual figures for a defensive midfielder. He ticked off 5 rebounds, all in the FCSB half
“I prefer not to comment”
At the press conference, Mirel Rădoi learned from reporters about the statements made by his godfather about Vlad Chiricheș.
The coach reacted briefly: “We still have the Constanța game, then the home game, with Petrolul, so there is still until the play-off match. We will see until then. I would not want to draw conclusions like that now, when we have a 4-0 victory. For now, I prefer not to comment.”
What other players can Mirel Rădoi use in the midfield, in front of the defense: Ofri Arad, Baba Alhassan, Joao Paulo, Mihai Lixandru.
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For the first time, Chiricheș played at FCSB between January 2012 and August 2013, adding a championship to his resume.
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He was transferred by Tottenham in 2013, for a huge sum – 9.5 million euros.
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He returned in 2023 to FCSB to win two more titles and two Supercups.
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In the current season, he has made 22 appearances in all competitions.
