Re: Thiago Alcantara Appreciation Thread

by Perucho21 Wed 20 Apr - 3:40:42

@bill why isn't Thiago a starter for Spain

by futbol_bill Wed 20 Apr - 13:33:35

The last time he played he was overweight and very ineffective. However, with him back on form , I suspect he will be back. Hans raised this question multiple times with me, and it was always he was one of several who should start but he was never the clear choice based on his play with NT. I generally agree with Hans that he is a very good player but he hasn’t been best in world nor best for Spain. But there is no denying his current form. I find Luis Enrique is pretty in tune with players forms and it will be a shock to me if he isn’t there next time.

by iftikhar Wed 20 Apr - 19:38:38

You have to put everything else in a freeze-frame to realize what Thiago does and how he does that. In the normal hustle of a game, it’s often difficult, nay impossible, for mere mortals to appreciate his pervasive, almost precognitive, vision, his split-second, almost intuitive, decision making, and his silky, almost effortless, passing.

Yesterday’s game was perfect to realize what Thiago does and how he does that. With the United players a second behind in his timeline, I could see how he could pick out Salah from forty meters among a clutter of opposition players. This is beyond magical and as close as something divine.

I didn’t watch Thiago before we signed him. I was rather annoyed when he was being hyped and compared with Xabi Alonso. I had watched Xabi in his prime and he is one of the very few players I had followed even after he left Liverpool. He was sublime, he was majestic, he was enchanting. Thiago is no Xabi, but he is without any doubt in the same class.

by BarrileteCosmico Wed 20 Apr - 19:50:13

If Thiago were able to play a whole season he would be world class, but players need consistency to get to that level. No doubt he has the skill but his body has held him back.

by danyjr Wed 20 Apr - 20:27:03

Business as usual, GL going overboard.

by futbol_bill Wed 20 Apr - 21:51:05

iftikhar wrote:You have to put everything else in a freeze-frame to realize what Thiago does and how he does that. In the normal hustle of a game, it’s often difficult, nay impossible, for mere mortals to appreciate his pervasive, almost precognitive, vision, his split-second, almost intuitive, decision making, and his silky, almost effortless, passing.

Yesterday’s game was perfect to realize what Thiago does and how he does that. With the United players a second behind in his timeline, I could see how he could pick out Salah from forty meters among a clutter of opposition players. This is beyond magical and as close as something divine.

I didn’t watch Thiago before we signed him. I was rather annoyed when he was being hyped and compared with Xabi Alonso. I had watched Xabi in his prime and he is one of the very few players I had followed even after he left Liverpool. He was sublime, he was majestic, he was enchanting. Thiago is no Xabi, but he is without any doubt in the same class.

Thiago is more comparable to Xavi than Xabi.

by Great Leader Sprucenuce Wed 20 Apr - 23:01:00

Wait who compared him Alonso? He's basically Xavi but with more Brazilian flair and less control.

He has very little in his game that compares to Alonso.

by Hapless_Hans Wed 20 Apr - 23:32:49

Perucho21 wrote:@bill why isn't Thiago a starter for Spain

Because Lucho is a nationalist pig who prefers scrubs from La Liga over someone delivering world class season after world class season in Bundesliga

He had constantly Isco over Thiago, think about that for a second

Thiago is top 3 in the world as a central midfielder over the last 5-6 years, together with Modric and Kante.

by futbol_bill Wed 20 Apr - 23:43:26

You’re talking about Lopetequi not Enrique, lol. As I said last time, Thiago was overweight and very ineffective. Also consider his injuries. I agree with you Hans, in his current form he should be there (and IMO likely will be), but he hasn’t been in that form consistently enough.

by Hapless_Hans Wed 20 Apr - 23:44:07

Thiago was never overweight lol. What's that about?

by Hapless_Hans Wed 20 Apr - 23:45:48

futbol_bill wrote:You’re talking about Lopetequi not Enrique, lol. As I said last time, Thiago was overweight and very ineffective. Also consider his injuries. I agree with you Hans, in his current form he should be there (and IMO likely will be), but he hasn’t been in that form consistently enough.

He was incredibly consistent at Bayern. Our most consistent performer all through the Ancelotti and Kovac years which had many of our other top players faltering.

by futbol_bill Wed 20 Apr - 23:48:27

Hapless_Hans wrote:Thiago was never overweight lol. What's that about?

You obviously didn’t watch! Probably same as you confusing Lopetequi for Enrique. Isco had just a couple of call ups under Enrique.

by Hapless_Hans Thu 21 Apr - 1:26:50

futbol_bill wrote:
Hapless_Hans wrote:Thiago was never overweight lol. What's that about?

You obviously didn’t watch! Probably same as you confusing Lopetequi for Enrique. Isco had just a couple of call ups under Enrique.

I have watched Thiago every single week from 2013 to 2020

by futbol_bill Thu 21 Apr - 2:04:35

Well that explains it. He was over weight in 2021!

by Nishankly Thu 21 Apr - 12:18:58

Stop blaming the man for enjoying the local Fish and chips whilst being injured imo

by danyjr Mon 30 May - 23:21:14

Will never understand why people rate him.

by Lord Spencer Tue 31 May - 10:02:16

danyjr wrote:Will never understand why people rate him.

Because they have an ounce of football understanding in their brain hmm

I understand that's much more than what many people have, but it is still enough to understand what players like Thiago bring to the table.

by Nishankly Mon 6 Jun - 1:12:27

Lord Spencer wrote:
danyjr wrote:Will never understand why people rate him.

Because they have an ounce of football understanding in their brain

I understand that's much more than what many people have, but it is still enough to understand what players like Thiago bring to the table.

Couldn't have put it better rofl

by Nishankly Sat 11 Jun - 20:56:38

In the league team of the year for whatever its worth: https://theathletic.com/news/pfa-premier-league-team-of-the-year-ronaldo-salah-de-bruyne/mPO0l7G4S946/

by The Demon of Carthage Sat 11 Jun - 23:09:00

Kommander at 37 is in it as well?! And with that dreadful United team?! Man, what a beast he is!

by Nishankly Sat 11 Jun - 23:16:01

I know right absolutely agreed on sentiments, Rudiger in that also, crazy shit fuckall team.

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