This is an opinion of Gustavo from a Bayern fan on redcafe:
Sounds like just what we need tbh. He's not going to set the world alight but if he can tackle and protect the back four then our flair players can do the rest.
He started last season on fire and for the first time looked like someone who can actually consistently contribute in the build up and in attack apart from the odd long shot goal. It was all gone when he came back from his injury though, so there's a good chance that those brilliant weeks lead to him being a bit overrated in his overall ability. Our opponents were completely surprised by our pressing, so he had an easier job than the year before. When teams adapted and Schweinsteiger wasn't available, we pretty much sucked. The few times Gustavo and Martinez played together, we were incredibly shit in possession and it was mainly because Gustavo did fuck all contribute in attack (the losses to Bate and Arsenal come to mind). I really, really like Gustavo and in a team that doesn't focus primarily on possession, he'd be brilliant, but he was always a bit of a problem in our style, he was quite expensive but van Gaal rarely played him in midfield, most of the time he started as a left back or centerback. Heynckes' made very good use of him though, mainly because with Kroos he played a third CM in midfield, who dropped deep regularly and helped Schweinsteiger in that area. I doubt we could have produced last season's end of season form after Kroos got injured with Gustavo instead of Martinez in the team.
I don't really understand why some people think he's not good enough in general though. He mainly doesn't fit in Guardiola's approach (which is heavily criticised on here anyway). His vision and his passing are clearly overrated by some of the muppets in this thread, but he's no worse than Sven Bender for Dortmund, for example. The manager needs to decide what role he wants him to play and in which way the team will play against the top teams in the league and in europe (especially against teams with great pressing). He's a brilliant ball winner and his passing is okay when he's given enough time on the ball or when it's enough to play the easy pass to someone who's actually good on the ball, but he will struggle under pressure in a possession game.
It's happening.
"The Premier League is a great competition. Arsenal have a lot of tradition. I need a team that has space to play," he was reported as saying by ESPN Brasil.
"It's a delicate situation. I'm looking for the best option, the best decision. I am going to have to play, to stay in shape and carry on being called up [for Brazil]."
I was longing for a Bender, but he'll do in the meantime.
Will our third attempt at smashing our transfer record be successful?
If he only costs £14m though, that will be another Wenget transfer special. Litlte bit haggling.
He's on his way!
Think he could be a good signing. I've read a fee of around £14m...seems a little low. Is his contract up soon?
SSN have it at £17.2mOriginally Posted by Syn
Under £20m for sure.
The fee is probably a reflection on the fact he's out of favour and Bayern don't need the money as he probably won't need to be replaced. They paid something similar for him as well, so it's just a case of recouping the fee and moving on. Good move for all parties, should it happen of course.
It says he will struggle under pressure in a possession game, isn't that exactly what we've tried to play for about 8 years?
17.2 million is a reflection of the fact he's not really a high profile big name player. I don't think too many people not that much about him to be honest, just look at how much people know about Bender, Goetze, Martinez, Thiago etc
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