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Quick reads
Liverpool are reportedly close to signing Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich.
The 29-year-old Spanish international is considered one of the best midfielders in world football. His future has been a constant source of speculation this summer as he is in the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena, having won the treble last season and a seventh consecutive Bundesliga title.
The transfer saga appears to be ending imminently, with Bayern coach Hansi Flick admitting that the player has been fired. Here are nine quotes about Thiago, from those who know him best.
Vicente del Bosque
“Thiago has the option to choose which team he wants to play for,” the Spanish coach, winner of the World Cup, told Marca after calling Thiago, son of Brazilian champion Mazinho, for the first time in 2011. “He’s in the team due to sporting merit. “
“There are players who, because of their [Thiago’s] professional achievements, he should be in the Brazilian squad ”, he added. “We don’t look at the status of each player, we look at their quality. Right now, I have a lot of confidence in players like Thiago ”.
Niko Kovac
What can I say about Thiago? It’s a coach’s dream, ”said former Bayern boss Niko Kovac after the 2018-19 season with two wins.
“We have a lot of exceptional midfielders, but he is the heart of our midfield, a player who can do everything with the ball.”
Pep Guardiola
“There’s no question,” replied the Manchester City manager, who handed Thiago his Barcelona debut before signing him at Bayern Munich in 2013, when asked if he would do well in England.
“A player who plays for Barcelona and Bayern Munich can play in the Premier League. Of course you can play. He’s an exceptional player, but I don’t know what he’s going to do ”.
READ: Comparing Thiago Alcantara’s 2019-20 stats with current Liverpool midfielders
Wayne Rooney
“If Liverpool host Thiago from Bayern Munich, I think it’s done [the title]”The former Manchester United striker told talkSPORT.
“It is a better signing than Messi going to Manchester City.”
Xavi
“I think he is an extraordinary player,” said the Barcelona legend in 2013, when Thiago still had to be patient for Barcelona’s midfield opportunities.
“Thiago is not only a player for the future, but he can also have an impact at this time.”
Hansi flick
“When you see him on the field and in training, you see his extraordinary quality of ball possession,” said Bayern coach Hansi Flick, with whom Thiago won the hat-trick last season.
But now he has also shown that he can defend. For me, there are not two opinions about the quality of Thiago.
“He is an exceptional player who gives something to a team. That is my opinion and there is no other ”.
Hansi #Movie in @ Thiago6: “Thiago is an exceptional player who spent seven years of great success here. He is a wonderful person and an outstanding professional. It was very emotional today when he said goodbye to all of us.” #FC Bayern #Mia San Mia pic.twitter.com/QBU0O0UPmf
– FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) September 17, 2020
Jurgen Klopp
The Liverpool manager was reluctant to say too much last month amid speculation linking Thiago to an Anfield move, but couldn’t help but praise him.
“Thiago Alcantara is a great player, but also a Bayern Munich player,” said the German.
That’s all there is to say. There is nothing to say! I have no idea who will play for me next year, there is nothing to say at the moment.
Owen hargreaves
One man who will be disappointed to see the transfer take place is former Bayern midfielder Owen Hargreaves.
“They have to stay with Thiago, he is very important and he was fantastic,” he told BT Sport after the Champions League final victory over PSG.
“Liverpool fans would have been watching that saying yes please.”
Thiago
“Sometimes you watch games and think: ‘No team wants the ball.’ It’s ugly, ”the man told The Guardian in 2015, describing his personal perspective on the game.
“I’m definitely not [the same player], I have matured but it is probably true that my idea is the same [as when I was a kid]: win, enjoy it. That is still the joy of football for me: having the ball, touching it, passing, dribbling, scoring. Having the ball is essential ”.
What an incredibly calculated and weighted pass. Teacher. #Thiago pic.twitter.com/HvGOcfZRNW
– LFC Views – Champions (@ Mobyhaque1) August 11, 2020
More Liverpool
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Where are you now? Roy Hodgson’s eight transfers as Liverpool manager
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