Yesterday we brought you an in-depth Carlos Bacca scout report, with the Colombian heavily linked, and now with Globoesporte declaring us favourites for Roberto Firmino, we’ve done the same with the Brazilian star.
SEE MORE:
New no.1 striker target will cost £21.5m, and no less
Background:
Firmino was brought to Europe as a youngster, but he wasn’t lauded and hyped as a teen, unlike many of his peers – such as Alex Pato, Neymar, Coutinho or Robinho. He never represented the youth sides, and instead, following one full season as a regular with local side Figueirense in Brazil where he scored 12 times in 53 appearances, Firmino joined Hoffenheim in Germany in December 2010. Ever since, he’s been one of the first names on the team-sheet, racking up 153 appearances in his four and a half seasons. It took a while for the national team to take note – and despite scoring 22 goals in 2013/14, Luis Felipe Scolari chose ageing Fred for the 2014 World Cup squad instead. Brazil’s humiliation presented Firmino the chance for selection, and in December last year, he earned a debut. He’s now an automatic starter, and has racked up four goals already.
