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The former Barcelona Spanish midfielder, Thiago Alcantara is set to taste some English Premier League (EPL) football as his move to the recently crowned Champions, Liverpool move edges closer, with Bayern Munich ready to give some reduction in his transfer fee.
Thiago 29, has spent most of his career at Barcelona and Bayern Munich winning trophies and been a pivotal point of the team. He plays as a central midfield position and capable of remaining behind as a defensive midfield or going forward as an attacking midfield. His ability to press, dribble and shoot help him going forward. His agility, tackles, and vision help him to stay behind helping his team to contain dangerous balls into their final third or counter-attack.
The Spaniard played for Barcelona B from 2008-2011 but Guardiola started calling him to the first team in 2009 though then he was deployed in the wing position due to his pace and dribbles which sometimes makes him lose goal or waste chances which is evident in his goal returns. Between 2009-2013, he only managed 7 goals but compared to his assists 11, this is still small but looking at the Barcelona team, he was competing with the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, Bousquet, Villa, Henry, Messi (in his prime). Which led to his transfer to Bayern Munich.
He hits the ground running at the Allianz Arena in Germany even competing with the likes of Javi Martinez, Tony Kroos, Rafinha, Bastian Schweinsteiger but yet that year he had 23 appearances in all competition starting 17 of these matches scoring 2 goals, 4 assists. Since then he has established himself in the team, his effect is always seen if he is not in the game. A recent game that can be easily brought back to mind is the match against Chelsea in UEFA Champions League at Stamford Bridge. There was a point the game, Thiago was waving his hands telling all players to go forward that he would remain the defensive role and contain any attack from a counter-attack. This is the quality of player the Champions of Germany is about to lose. Even the likes of Leon Goretzka would not be able to replace.
Liverpool is a very good team especially in attacking with their Europe conquering tridents of Salah, Mane, and Firmino. They are quite solid at the back too, with Van Dijk and Alisson Becker making the Anfield wall. The problem is when they encounter a very defensive, counter-attacking team like Atletico Madrid, they will tear that wall down. The Reds launches their attack from the flank with the likes of Arnold and Robertson launching crosses, passes to Mane or Salah and they can use their pace to pierce any team, even against a team like Atletico Madrid but the problem is they do not have a naturally defensive player except Fabinho who is not a naturally defensive player, he has been deployed in areas like right back, centre back or central midfield role.
In the Liverpool midfield pack with Keita, Fabinho, Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, Milner, Chamberlain and Shaqiri none of them are dribbles and better passers like Thiago Alcantara. Apart from on paper and even on the field, Thiago is a graduate from the Tiki-Taka philosophy, he still has his vision, passes, dribbles, agility and can make tackles conceding no cards.
The nearest to him is Fabinho and comparing them, Fabinho is very aggressive midfielder seeing him amass 15 yellow cards during 2016-17 season in Monaco. Thiago highest yellow card record is 10 yellow card, this season. It is understandable for him because they had to fight 'tooth and nail' to claim the Bundesliga this season. Compared to Fabinho who had almost ran away with the trophy before the turn of a new year for the 2019-20 season.
The 29-year old player would be a great addition to Liverpool's team and at the price, he is likely to be bought £30M, he is a gift to an already talented team.
Some of Thiago Alcântara’s best passes.
— Ferid (@Messievsky) July 29, 2020
He’s been among top 3 midfielders in the world for last 5-6 years. Such a joy to watch. pic.twitter.com/X694Nx9jKU
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