You forget the 2021/2022 season a bit quickly it seems.
Thiago was an all-important part of that team, and we were one game away from winning the CL, and one point from winning the PL.
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and he wasnât poor when he played this season either.
Also remember when he pulled up lame in the warm up the CL final. The attitude of most was not âoh well, he only slows us down anyway, and he cannot tackle.â It was one of massive concern followed by relief that the delay gave him time to sort out whatever it was that was bothering him.
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The general frustration (I have it as well, we all do) over our injuries over the years has led to some ugly narrative that itâs almost the playersâ fault. We can have a laugh, but sometimes it goes over the top.
You can always question if we have some players with clear indications that theyâre not professional enough. But other than that, the first ones who donât want to be injured are those players.
Then we get the usual mixing of all kind of different âinjury-proneâ levels. Looking at the injuries record at transfemarkt of potential targets and getting in some paranoid mood over a few injuries.
There is always certain prevention, itâs a part of even selecting/signing players first and foremost. Then, how our medical staff works, how we train/play and how them players live 24/7 (which we mostly donât know, but if you have certain problematic players, we can find out about it).
The former is certainly something we need to look at, because itâs not really sustainable to have a fit squad every two seasons. There is no reset button though, but what is another clear aim this summer is to build a better base in terms of physical preparation.
Back to Thiago specifically, heâs one of the rare players this season that looked like he belonged to a higher level than what the team was producing. Yes, he had some weaker games and weaker periods/moments in games.
We donât sign players like him very often. Not in terms of status and age. He was never some machine as an athlete playing 50+ games every season. We donât need every player to be that, itâs not ideal.
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He looked terrible when he was overplayed.
I think there are only two players who didnât.
There is also a reality that there is still more about injuries we donât know (why they happen, how to avoid them etc) than we do know. We know the high level stuff, but putting into a predictive model you can use to help decision making about preparation and performance? Letâs just say most of the applications for that stuff is to create the appearance of knowing what youâre doing rather than them really having meaningful predictive value.
A player who has struggled with injuries in the past is likely to continue to struggle. One who hasnt yet struggled is no indication heâs going to continue to be fine.
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Saudi says hi
Thiago has said he is staying hasnât he? I donât think that will change now.
Attractive enough to move to??? Saudi Arabia???
Not beyond the realm of possibilities.
He may be a top player but no top European side will pay top wages for a low availability midfielder.
His next move is probably to Spain on a lower wage.
Joining Messi, Ronaldo, Benzema in Saudi Arabia on high wages isnât that outlandish
That doesnât make too much sense.
If anyone even can and wants to do such business, it actually exactly is - one of the top sides/clubs.
Us bringing him was already something similar or in that direction. A new challenge for him and possibly his last or one of his two last big moves in Europe. We knew what we were doing, he was going to be one of the top earners and he most probably wasnât going to be playing 50+ games for 4 years.
Itâs not like he can only go to a smaller (than heâs used to) side in Spain on much lower wages from this position. Even if that is also possible, that he accepts a âSevillaâ or âSociedadâ and a certain wage cut or whatever.
Who will take Bobby Firmino now? Most probably still a serious CL side and for still a nice financial package of wages and signing on fee. Heâs not dropping back to a Hoffenheim level now.
Barca are I think well covered in Thiagoâs position, but it wouldnât have been unrealistic if they came back for him this summer.
Maybe one of the Italian sides, if he has a wish of trying that league as well, since he was born there. Outside Europe, yeah, itâs also possible. Depends on his motivation, offers, family wishes, etc.
It sounds like he will stay, but I wouldnât say itâs necessarily 100%. Some moves can happen later in the window, this could be quickly sorted if both parties agree on it.
He does seem to like the US and has been on holiday there a fair bit.
I expect he will make that move once his contract is up.
Oh, you meant it as a professional opportunity. I was thinking about the quality of the place.
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Yeah.
Iâve never been but Iâd imagine if you have money you can pretty much live how you like there.
Would you make your wife and kids live in SA?
Hell no!! Forget anything else, wayyy too bloody hot!
Absolutely not to Saudi Arabia. When I saw that first (out of context of the convo) I thought you meant South Australia - haha. Which would be an absolutely yes.of course.
SA is heaven compared to 42 celsius now in India.
Wait , thought you meant south africa.
The treatment Saudis give to guests they consider important is very good. These players are not going to get the normal Saudi experience, but the VIP experience that they do arguably better than anyone else. Itâs a model that cannot be extended that far, but for now the players going there to âestablishâ that league will be treated like royalty and live in absolute luxury.
I would hate it, and I would like to think that after a career of earning great money Iâd have the moral strength to turn it down, but there will be a lot of players who not only go but will love the experience. And anything culturally they miss they can hire a private jet and fly to Paris or Florence or wherever and be back in âworkâ in a day.
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