Thiago Alcantara

[Doc_Piptorious]

The pros outweigh the cons

Unknown, unless that trio get played together enough times next season for us to find out.

[Assassin]

And a very busy backline on the right flank.

The pros outweigh the cons

[Doc_Piptorious]

Thiago, Allister and supported by TAA…….an attackers dream to be playing with them

And a very busy backline on the right flank.

[Assassin]

Thiago, Allister and supported by TAA…….an attackers dream to be playing with them

[Buzzo]

I noticed Trent playing a lot of Thiago-esque passes when he was in midfield. Those zipped passes where he sort of goes against the grain. I’d keep Thiago as an experienced older head - there are intangibles in success and experienced senior players provide these unquantifiable elements.

It’s not Champ manager.

Players like Hendo and Thiago should have their minutes managed (assuming we don’t have the typical deluge of injuries) but can still contribute in game control etc.

[Doc_Piptorious]

Beat me to it. He's not a numbers guy in the same way Xabi wasn't. Without doubt our most technically gifted footballer, but as Nev said, he's always injured so not much use. I absolutely love him, a joy to watch when fit, but I'd probably be reluctantly ok with letting him go assuming we replaced him with someone elite...like, uh, Barella?

Who is this Barella person you speak of?



Though if I was looking to try and replace Thiago then Barella is not a name that would spring to mind for me.

Barella is the guy to bring in to give us what Henderson at his peak gave us at RCM with a little extra on tiop.


To replace Thiago, whilst very few if any like of like players are out there, we would need a guy with crazy good ball retention skills/stats, really good overturn against stats, really good pressing stats (for and against) and good underlying defensive stats and I think we might already have him in MacAllister and also in Jones as the back up to MacAllister at LCM.


Someone like Tchouameni, Veratti (if he were younger that is) or Declan Rice would be good replacements too. And yes to you at the back, that Declan Rice retains the ball as well as Thiago and progresses the ball at the same level



To pick a name to be a gamble to do well in the role I would go with Enzo Le Fee. He was hyped at the start of last season on a good few of the player to watch lists, otherwise would never have heard of him, and he is a little monster when it comes to both the defensive side of the game and the progression side.

Seems to be able to get the ball and then hold it no matter how big or aggressive the incoming player is and then lays it off to someone else.

[Shaggy]

Best at the club at doing that.

Tops the tackles made, successful tackles, forward passes etc stats on a regular basis for us too.


Thiago is a lot like Xabi Alonso in that he does not have a lot of goal and assist numbers to catch the eye.


Like Xabi, teams play smoother, leep the ball more and are generally more effective with Thiago in the team and become more sluggish in tempo and face more overturns when he is missing.

Beat me to it. He's not a numbers guy in the same way Xabi wasn't. Without doubt our most technically gifted footballer, but as Nev said, he's always injured so not much use. I absolutely love him, a joy to watch when fit, but I'd probably be reluctantly ok with letting him go assuming we replaced him with someone elite...like, uh, Barella?

[Doc_Piptorious]

Of all the criticisms you can level at Thiago, this is not one. I’d argue that he is the only midfielder we have that plays the ball between the lines. If you want backwards and safe it’s Bootroom’s idol that carrie’s out that role

Best at the club at doing that.

Tops the tackles made, successful tackles, forward passes etc stats on a regular basis for us too.


Thiago is a lot like Xabi Alonso in that he does not have a lot of goal and assist numbers to catch the eye.


Like Xabi, teams play smoother, leep the ball more and are generally more effective with Thiago in the team and become more sluggish in tempo and face more overturns when he is missing.

[Irishnev]

Overrated because everyone says he's this world class rolls royce of a player, looks fantastic on the ball, but actually doesn't do a lot. Look at his stats, 6 assists in how many years now? 2 goals. Very, very rarely threads a ball through, its all sideways or back and safe.

I think he'd possibly be a lot better in a different side, but his contribution here isn't great. Overrated not because he's ****, but because a lot of people think he's the best thing since sliced bread. I've been massively underwhelmed by him, and then you have his injury record.

If a decent offer came in I'd bite their hands off. Overrated because people lose their **** when anyone dares to criticise him, such is the cult of Thiago.

Of all the criticisms you can level at Thiago, this is not one. I’d argue that he is the only midfielder we have that plays the ball between the lines. If you want backwards and safe it’s Bootroom’s idol that carrie’s out that role

[Angryred]

Overrated because everyone says he's this world class rolls royce of a player, looks fantastic on the ball, but actually doesn't do a lot. Look at his stats, 6 assists in how many years now? 2 goals. Very, very rarely threads a ball through, its all sideways or back and safe.

I think he'd possibly be a lot better in a different side, but his contribution here isn't great. Overrated not because he's ****, but because a lot of people think he's the best thing since sliced bread. I've been massively underwhelmed by him, and then you have his injury record.

If a decent offer came in I'd bite their hands off. Overrated because people lose their **** when anyone dares to criticise him, such is the cult of Thiago.

So says his teammate!...Think the dressing room will be an awkward spot for you now if Thiago reads this thread!

[fabinho]

What the actual f**k are you on?

Overrated because everyone says he's this world class rolls royce of a player, looks fantastic on the ball, but actually doesn't do a lot. Look at his stats, 6 assists in how many years now? 2 goals. Very, very rarely threads a ball through, its all sideways or back and safe.

I think he'd possibly be a lot better in a different side, but his contribution here isn't great. Overrated not because he's ****, but because a lot of people think he's the best thing since sliced bread. I've been massively underwhelmed by him, and then you have his injury record.

If a decent offer came in I'd bite their hands off. Overrated because people lose their **** when anyone dares to criticise him, such is the cult of Thiago.

[SB]

Since coming to us, he's managed 3 goals and 6 assists. Possibly the most overrated player we've ever had. Looks nice on the ball, but doesn't actually do a lot.

What the actual f**k are you on?

[danperkins]

Thiago is a great player, if he could play every game that would be fantastic, the problem is he can't, he's averaging just over 2100 mins in all competitions in his time here, which equates to about 23 full games a season, which is fewer minutes than Elliott played last season, and about 800 mins fewer per season than Henderson and about 1400 mins fewer than Fabinho average in the same period.

With 1 year left on his contract we have a decision to make, offer him a new contract in the next year knowing he will be 33 on high wages and probably not playing a huge amount, let him see out his current contract and teach any new signings a few things or if an offer comes in we let him go and get a fee for him. Obviously depending on what business we do this summer somewhat but I would be surprised if we offered him a new contract, as I say he is a good player and younger players could learn alot from him, but every player has their price and if a decent offer comes in we'd be foolish not to consider it IMO.

[baitman]

I'm always confused as to why so many people take what he says seriously

No one have ever seen him and Shaggy in the same room... just saying like

[Exiled_red]

He's the fried chicken guy isn't he?

It's beyond me why anyone takes any notice of anything he says.

I might as well set my dog up as an ITK.

I'm always confused as to why so many people take what he says seriously