Thiago Alcantara

[Silva_Spell]

Pep loathes a first team squad of 21-22 players, preferring instead a much tighter and more intimate group who are versatile enough to cover several positions. It's a conversation for a different thread, but when I look at above "super squads" I'm inclined to see his point -- what a perfect nightmare it would be keeping that whole roster from mutiny.

His problems with injuries at Bayern may have changed his mind a little on that

 

[Silva_Spell]

Thiago has only played 47 league games in the last 3 seasons. Great player but it's a big issue, esp. if Gundogan signs as well. Whilst not as bad, he tends to miss a few games a season too

 

[Jonsilfab]

Thiago has only played 47 league games in the last 3 seasons. Great player but it's a big issue, esp. if Gundogan signs as well. Whilst not as bad, he tends to miss a few games a season too

Thiago was out for over a year with a torn knee ligament. He's played 37 of 48 games so far this season.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

His problems with injuries at Bayern may have changed his mind a little on that

I would be shocked if that is true. His injury crisis in his first season at Bayern was horrendous and they tore through the league.

 

[bastos80]

Oh look, here we go again.

 

[without a dream]

Pep absolutely loves him not sure you could carry him and Gundogan/Pogba in midfield though.

In Pep's first season at Bayern he only wanted one transfer, 'Thiago or nobody'.

 

[Falcao]

So talented but I think he has gone stale at Bayern and become a bit of a safe passenger in their midfield. He has worked with Pep through his whole senior career and could probably do with a different style of coaching.

 

[richards30]

Yes please!!!!

 

[Silva_Spell]

Thiago was out for over a year with a torn knee ligament. He's played 37 of 48 games so far this season.

He has a history of ligament problems tho. Previous 2 seasons have basically been write-offs

Games (days) missed through injury:

15/16
6 games (30 days)

14/15
26 games (154 days)

13/14
56 games (267 days)

source: transfermarkt

I hope, whether we sign him or not, this season is more of an indication of his future. Excellent player

 

[Silva_Spell]

Pep absolutely loves him not sure you could carry him and Gundogan/Pogba in midfield though.
.

Pep will probably want a 'Busquets' or an 'Alonso' sat behind them a lot of the time

More Barca-esque, with Stones potentially being more like Busquets:
------Stones
Gundogan Thiago

Bayern-esque, with Kroos more the Alonso type:
-------Kroos
Gundogan Thiago