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.
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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.
Position and characteristics:
Naturally, Firmino is a marauding attacking midfielder. He’s not so much a creative no.10 who sits and looks to create chances because he’s too dynamic – and spends too much time making runs off the ball or trying his luck down the flanks. For Hoffenheim he mainly plays in the most advanced midfield role just behind a lone striker. From here, he can arrive late in the box, shoot from distance and run at defenders when in possession. Intriguingly though, Brazil use him as an out and out centre-forward due to his clinical finishing. At the Copa America currently, Coutinho is playing as no.10 for Brazil, with Firmino leading the line…
Statistics:
Eye opening, to say the least. Statistics don’t prove everything in football, but often they’re impossible to ignore. As an attacking midfielder, Firmino’s notched 32 goals during the past two seasons – registering 21 Bundesliga assists as well. WhoScored, who give players ratings out of 10 based on their overall contribution to matches, mark our transfer target as 7.79 this season just gone – only bettered by Alexis, James, De Bruyne, Hazard, Neymar, Robben, Ronaldo and Messi in the whole of Europe. Only four players in Europe completed more dribbles per match than Firmino (4.2) as well. They included Robben, Messi and Hazard – while our top dribbler Coutinho completed 3.1 per match.
Courtesy of WhoScored.
Strengths:
Dribbling, through balls and shooting. These are probably the three primary skills potentially world-class attacking midfielders need, and the Brazilian’s got them in abundance. He loves picking up the ball in the opposition half and running at the opposing back four, where he can either look to assist a fellow attacker or have a pop himself. In a manner not befitting to many South American attackers, Firmino works his socks off defensively as well. He battles to win the ball back and will never be caught lazily hovering and waiting to be found in space. He forces his team-mates to give them the ball if he hasn’t won it back already. You’ll see Firmino regularly attempting first-time flicked passes or shorter lay-offs in an attempt to slice open a defence, too. His main attribute – the one that makes him stand out – is his finishing. Firmino is as clinical in front of goal as a top pedigree striker, despite his position.
Weaknesses:
There aren’t many, which is why we’re so excited about this potential move. He gets caught offside, but that’s more of a compliment to the fact he’s constantly trying to get in behind an opposition defence – something we badly missed last term. Physically, he’s by no means intimidating, but not many mercurial, skilful attackers are. It’s not a weakness, but there’s of course no guarantee that he’d settle well into the Premier League. Angel di Maria is an example of an undeniably brilliant South American midfielder who’s struggled – for whatever reason. Hopefully the Brazilian influence already in our squad could ease his transition, and the fact he’s spent nearly five years in Germany, who have a similar climate, will help.
How would he fit in at Liverpool:
Ideally, in tandem behind with his international team-mate Coutinho behind a central forward. With Raheem Sterling likely to leave with City linking up a third bid (via Echo), there’s a spot for him. The thought of two brilliant, creative, dribbling Brazilians supplying a healthy Daniel Sturridge is mouthwatering. Alternatively, as he does with Brazil, Firmino could lead the line – with Coutinho, Adam Lallana and co. behind him. Here he’d run less with the ball, but look to get behind the defensive line with his pace. Ideally though he’s an attacking midfielder and should be used as such, however.
