Thiago Alcantara

[BG1973]

What a 20 mins.

Been crying out for this type of player for so long (despite the success).

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

His level of passing and ability on the ball really shows up the rest of the team which is just crazy really! Imagine him linking up with a Coutinho type when he was in him pomp!

[Doc_Piptorious]

What a 20 mins.

Been crying out for this type of player for so long (despite the success).

Yep genuine metronome type players are very much a rarity and the ones that are world class even more so.

Think we have only had three players of that type that were of a world class level in my time supporting the club. Molby, Alonso and Thiago.

[ronanm]

Class but glass

[Doc_Piptorious]

Class but glass

Played enough games for Bayern in the previous five seasons. Just had a look and he has played in 127 league games over those five years. So he averaged just over 25 league games a season the past five years in a league that plays 34 games a season.

Henderson has played 130 times for us in the league over the previous five seasons. So that is an average of 26 games a season in a league that plays 38 games a season.


Comparing those two as they are both of similar age and both were nailed on starters when fit over that five season period.

So very comparable levels of availability until Thiago came here.

[BigChief]

It was so clear teams have worked out the weakest area being midfield, so they stopped all other routes and went with luck that nothing productive would come from midfield. Particularly as Ox and Keita would just be injured all the time.

Klopp realised this so we bought Thiago but Richarlison saw to that. Everton really did win the league this season with that challenge alone (forgetting VvD for now). If Thiago starts and finishes 10-15 league games from here on then we win the league, easy as that really.

[greenturnip]

The ‘chances created’ stats in the EPL suggest that the creative no. 10 type player is making comeback - Fernandes, Grealish etc. Our assists have come from Trent and Robby mostly - hopefully Thiago can ease the pressure on them.

[Angryred]

The ‘chances created’ stats in the EPL suggest that the creative no. 10 type player is making comeback - Fernandes, Grealish, etc. Our assists have come from Trent and Robby mostly - hopefully Thiago can ease the pressure on them.

The likes of Fernandes & Grealish, take them out of the game & their team will struggle...fact!...whereas with us, we have options all over the pitch & with Thiago coming in, will enhance that.
Pity our defence has been decimated in one week so we have to do summat in the transfer market this month as our rivals have been encouraged to take advantage of our woes this season.

[Pablo]

So does he automatically start every game now?

I felt Southampton did a good job of targeting him. They closed him down really well and pressured him. In the end he still had a decent game but it looks like there will still be somewhat of a bedding in process for him.

[Doc_Piptorious]

So does he automatically start every game now?

I felt Southampton did a good job of targeting him. They closed him down really well and pressured him. In the end he still had a decent game but it looks like there will still be somewhat of a bedding in process for him.

Think whenever he is fully fit (physically and match) that he should be a starter, form permitting of course. The guy is currently one of the best midfielders and has that Alonso style ability to help maintain possession and pass the ball well even when he does not appear to be in full flow.

[Irishnev]

Think whenever he is fully fit (physically and match) that he should be a starter, form permitting of course. The guy is currently one of the best midfielders and has that Alonso style ability to help maintain possession and pass the ball well even when he does not appear to be in full flow.

He was bought as a marquee player - if fit he plays. Adapting to the 6 role defensively was a bit of a challenge vs Saints...... having him as the play making 8 and Fab as the 6 is where we need to get to. Prob won’t see that this season though

[Doc_Piptorious]

He was bought as a marquee player - if fit he plays. Adapting to the 6 role defensively was a bit of a challenge vs Saints...... having him as the play making 8 and Fab as the 6 is where we need to get to. Prob won’t see that this season though

Yeah when we signed him I was imagining us with a midfield trio of Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho that could mesh together in a manner akin to how Goretzka, Thiago and Kimmich did at Bayern.

[Irishnev]

Yeah when we signed him I was imagining us with a midfield trio of Henderson, Thiago and Fabinho that could mesh together in a manner akin to how Goretzka, Thiago and Kimmich did at Bayern.

I’d love to see a Fab, Nab and Thiago midfield play if all were fit and in rhythm

[Paul12]

I’d love to see a Fab, Nab and Thiago midfield play if all were fit and in rhythm

I agree it would be best to play Thiago with a midfielder who attacks the penalty area with runs - if one is fit enough to play - assuming tat does not leave us too exposed defensively.

[Doc_Piptorious]

I’d love to see a Fab, Nab and Thiago midfield play if all were fit and in rhythm

A fit and in form Naby in with the other two would be a midfield that would be very difficult to play a press against, but Henderson is who I imagined in there as he is far more reliable than Naby over the course of a season, and with Thiago and Fab in the centre with him I could see Henderson playing in a similar role to what Goretzka did when beside Thiago.