Paulinho

[Givenchy]

really impressed with his attitude. so much negativity around his move here and yet hes kept his head down and hes adding something different to the team.

the dummy and that pass

 

[Xaviniesta]

People saying Paulinho chokes against big teams, yet his international record proves otherwise.

Don't forget he won Corinthians the Club world cup against chelsea, the Confederations cup against Spain, and also was essential in the Copa Libertadores for Corinthians

 

[Barcilliant]

That thumping header. Pure POWER linho!

 

[Nothanks]

i dont think you guys understand what I'm saying

i never said he chokes, just that he might not be able to handle the pressure of 4-6 players constantly on his back like how real madrid press us almost every match.
international teams do not press like clubs do, the pressing in a champions league quarter / semi finals isn't remotely comparable to a world cup game lol surely you guys can see that.

 

[mark1nhu]

Super happy for him. All the pressure and criticism, but he is a down to earth man and only cares about working hard. Respect.

 

[te amo barca]

Was the crowd chanting his name when he scored?

 

[Xaviniesta]

Was the crowd chanting his name when he scored?

Yes

 

[DonAndres]

Very impressed by his offensive quality. He's doing everything Suarez should be doing with the good linkups with Messi, physical holdup play vs CB's, and clinical finishing.

It should be observed that Paulinho is, for the most part, an off the ball player. He had only 8 passes in the 1st half playing as a midfielder, and though the numbers rose in the 2nd half a vast majority of those passes were 1 touch back to the man or to an adjacent man. He spends very little time on the ball ever, and mostly plays supporting roles and attacks as an outlet player. As long as he stays effective at what he's doing, that's a valuable option to have to change the pace of the game and introduce verticality as BrazilBrazilBrazil says. Those weapons are great for a midfield sub to change tempo, and IMO also as an option for striker. He's doing what Suarez should be doing and those actions were in the areas of the pitch that Suarez would generally operate in. I genuinely think he can and should play there to rest Suarez or bench him if he stays off form, moreso than Paco.

The downside is that Paulinho is limited in the role that he can take. For starting midfielders in big games, they need to be primary ball handlers who spread the play and dictate the game. If our main option CM's were as bypassed as Paulinho was in that first half, we would get absolutely MURDERED by the likes of RM's midfield. But later in a game to change tempo and adapt to the end-to-end evolution of a football match, subbing Paulinho would probably be a significant change. So much so that he's made to be an awesome sub (if he plays his role well) because he's an X factor and allows us to change our play at will rather than sub someone in who's the same as our other midfielders only worse.

All in all, I'm very happy with what he's turning out to be. He's exactly the kind of useful squad player you should have. Versatile, hardworking, and brings a different approach to the table that truly changes your game and keeps opponents guessing.

 

[Sumlit]

He will struggle in the middle vs better opposition. He doesn't seem to be good at any general aspect of playing a midfield, but he does offer a lot of projection.

I would explore playing him further and using his movement, projection and strength as a forward.

 

[Nothanks]

somewhere in the 30th minute of the first half we switched to

deulofeu in LW, Messi RW and paulinho looked like a striker..
was odd seeing that lol

 

[JamDav1982]

Watching the highlights again he is almost playing off Messi the whole time.

If Messi is forward he gets around him in AM. If Messi drops he goes forward onto last man or in box.

Playing as a 'false AM'.

He and Messi played as a pair today. With Paulinhos movement all geared to Messi and filling gaps.

 

[gatsu]

He is doing the job for what he has been appointed for. As a midfilder he is absolutely useless.

 

[Nothanks]

Very impressed by his offensive quality. He's doing everything Suarez should be doing with the good linkups with Messi, physical holdup play vs CB's, and clinical finishing.

It should be observed that Paulinho is, for the most part, an off the ball player. He had only 8 passes in the 1st half playing as a midfielder, and though the numbers rose in the 2nd half a vast majority of those passes were 1 touch back to the man or to an adjacent man. He spends very little time on the ball ever, and mostly plays supporting roles and attacks as an outlet player. As long as he stays effective at what he's doing, that's a valuable option to have to change the pace of the game and introduce verticality as BrazilBrazilBrazil says. Those weapons are great for a midfield sub to change tempo, and IMO also as an option for striker. He's doing what Suarez should be doing and those actions were in the areas of the pitch that Suarez would generally operate in. I genuinely think he can and should play there to rest Suarez or bench him if he stays off form, moreso than Paco.

The downside is that Paulinho is limited in the role that he can take. For starting midfielders in big games, they need to be primary ball handlers who spread the play and dictate the game. If our main option CM's were as bypassed as Paulinho was in that first half, we would get absolutely MURDERED by the likes of RM's midfield. But later in a game to change tempo and adapt to the end-to-end evolution of a football match, subbing Paulinho would probably be a significant change. So much so that he's made to be an awesome sub (if he plays his role well) because he's an X factor and allows us to change our play at will rather than sub someone in who's the same as our other midfielders only worse.

All in all, I'm very happy with what he's turning out to be. He's exactly the kind of useful squad player you should have. Versatile, hardworking, and brings a different approach to the table that truly changes your game and keeps opponents guessing.

which is why even though it's not THAT much of an upgrade rakitic should probably start over paulinho in a big game, paulinho is great for rotation as shown today he can overtake the minnows
but more importantly he can be a good super sub to have say to take out suarez or something.

heres hoping sergi roberto can show he deserves to start over both of them or we finally find a more controlling midfield ala thiago /verrati / seri

 

[Devils]

Best Brazilian signing we've had since Dani Alves

 

[Sumlit]

Watching the highlights again he is almost playing off Messi the whole time.

If Messi is forward he gets around him in AM. If Messi drops he goes forward onto last man or in box.

Playing as a 'false AM'.

He and Messi played as a pair today. With Paulinhos movement all geared to Messi and filling gaps.

Yup, he started middle but quickly switched to a quasi midfield/support forward. Valverde should seriously explore Paulinho in a more advance role as a forward. He moved really well there today.