Premier League champions Liverpool had been linked with a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcântara since the end of last season, and whilst there was months-and-months of speculation, on Saturday, the Spanish international was finally pictured in the famous red jersey of Liverpool, and he made his impressive debut against Chelsea just one day later – where he provided the Reds’ fans with a glimpse of what he is capable of.
The English and European champions agreed a fee of £20m for the midfielder, which could increase by a further £5m in bonuses, should Thiago win any personal accolades whilst in Merseyside, and Liverpool, who are tipped to win back-to-back Premier League titles – according to the last bet exchange – have already given the Spaniard the number six shirt, which he has worn throughout his career.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the chairman of the German club, sent Liverpool fans into a frenzy recently, when he said: ‘FC Bayern have reached an agreement with Liverpool, Thiago is leaving!’.
So, let’s take a look at why Thiago is a bargain buy for the Anfield outfit at £25m, and why the passionate Reds’ supporters are excited about his arrival. Read on to find out!
Thiago may only be 29 years old, but he will bring a wealth of experience with him to Anfield. After breaking into the Barcelona squad back in 2011, as a fresh-faced 20-year-old, Thiago went on to become a regular starter in the Catalan side’s line-up, and won two La Liga’s, two Supercopa de España’s, the Copa del Rey, the Champions League, The UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup before moving to Bayern, where has had even more success, for 25 million euros in 2013.
Since moving to Munich seven years ago, the midfield maestro has helped Bayern win the Bundesliga title every year, as well as four DFB-Pokal’s, three DFL-Supercup’s, the Club World Cup, and, most recently, the Champions League – where he played 86 minutes as Bayern beat PSG 1-0 in the final.
All-in-all, Thiago, who was named in the Champions League Team of the Season last term, has won 11 league titles in two of Europe’s top divisions with Bayern and Barça. In fact, the Spanish international has only failed to win the domestic league title in one season, and that was when he first broke into the Barcelona squad in 2011/12.
In case you still needed more convincing, Thiago’s stats in the Bundesliga last season are even more impressive. The midfielder made 24 appearances for Bayern in the German top-flight last season – starting in 20 – and completed a whopping 91% of his 1,723 attempted passes from open play, 354 of which were in the final-third.
The 29-year-old also won possession back for his side, in the middle third, an impressive 132 times, which accounts to the second most in the whole division, whilst, he ranked fifth in the Bundesliga with 71 completed dribble attempts.
Thiago also won 57.8% of his 488 contested duels, breaking down as 48.8% of his 86 aerial duels contested – not bad for a player who is only 5”9 – and an incredible 59.7% of his 402 ground duels contested.
We think it’s fair to say that the Reds are getting one of Europe’s leading midfielders for an absolute bargain!
