Transfer Profile: Roberto Firmino

By: Ryan Bode

Roberto Firmino

Old Team: 1899 Hoffenheim

New Team: Liverpool FC

Basic Demographics:

Roberto Firmino finalizes his move from the Bundesliga to the Premier League this week as Liverpool adds another striker. Firmino, 23 years-old, started out in the Brazilian league until 2010 until Hoffenheim bought him for only €3.5 million ($3.92 million). He made his national team debut for Brazil this past November and has scored four goals in nine caps for Brazil. Standing at 5’11’’, he can possibly fly through the air to score a goal, but mostly fans see him take on defenders dribbling and take shots.

What Was His Transfer Fee?

This was the one of the most expensive transfer that Liverpool has ever spent money. Although it looks expensive on book, the upside that Firmino brings to Liverpool is well worth the money. Liverpool got Firmino from Hoffenheim for € 40 million ($44.27 million), which is quite expensive for Liverpool. This move could be more of a long term investment for Liverpool since he is only 23 years-old and Hoffenheim capitalized on Liverpool. This could also turn out to be a waste of money for Liverpool if there is any stall in Firmino’s development.

What He Brings To Liverpool?

I sound like a broken record for how many strikers Liverpool has got going into this transfer window, but Liverpool lacked scoring all of last season. Firmino loves to ball hawk in the box for any team he plays for along with having a knack for finding the back of the net. He scored 10 goals in 33 appearances in the Bundesliga, which is good for a striker. Firmino is also going to bring consistency for Liverpool that wasn’t seen last year. Balotelli, Sturridge, and Lambert were all rotated in and out of the starting XI due poor play, injuries, etc. Liverpool did not have a consistent starting attack, which could have contributed to the lack of goal scoring from the strikers not getting consistent playing time. Firmino had 33 appearances out of 34 games for Hoffeneheim, showing that he has the endurance to keep playing at the highest level of competition.

What Are His Outlooks?

The Good

Firmino makes an appearance in every single game in Premier League play along with making appearances in tournaments as well. Firmino provides a consistent striker for Liverpool, along with showing flashes of brilliance on the field. Fans will see Firmino be taking on defenders one on one in the opponents third of the field and beating them more than 60-70% of the time. Firmino will also develop into a quick striker with a terrific first touch that he will beat defenders with. He will also develop into being one of the most dynamic young strikers in the game (next Aguero?). He will also be a staple in this Liverpool organization and rocket Liverpool into a possible return to Champions League. Firmino will get Liverpool at least into the Euro League.

The Bad

Roberto Firmino still is healthy enough to play all season long for Firmino, but the return of Balotelli, Ings, Sturridge, and maybe even Lambert on top creates a conflict of playing time for Firmino. Firmino would look like to be the odd man out of the rotation, making Liverpool putting him up for loan. Liverpool has invested a lot of money in Firmino and wants him to develop. With limited playing time at Liverpool available, Firmino will not develop as quickly as Liverpool would like him to develop. The loan away of Firmino allows him to develop and get playing time while still being under Liverpool control in the near future.

Transfer Profile: Thorgan Hazard

Thorgan Hazard

Old Team: Chelsea

New Team: Borussia Mönchengladbach

Basic Demographics:

Hazard is used as primarily an attacking midfielder but also has the capability to play the wings (both attacking and in the midfield). Even though he did not play a single minute for Chelsea, Chelsea still holds him in high regard as a young player. Thorgan is the brother of Eden Hazard, who won the Barclays Premier League Player of the Year. Thorgan also has represented Belgium at all levels, but being left off of the current roster for the Euro 2016 Qualifiers. Hazard also has massive potential, only turning 22 this past March.

What Was His Transfer Fee?

The big focus on this whole transfer was how much of a profit Chelsea made off of this sale. Thorgan was bought for 500,000 euros ($561,997.50) and was sold for 8,000,000 euros ($8,991,960). Chelsea made a 1500% profit on the sale to Borussia M’bach, and that’s without Hazard playing a single minute at Samford Bridge. This is money well spent on Borussia M’bach part though, needing a potent player to upgrade their midfield in order to keep competitive in the Bundesliga. Borussia M’bach also knew what they were buying as well. Hazard played with Borussia M’bach while on loan from Chelsea.

What He Bring to Borussia M’bach?

Thorgan brings quickness to the midfield. His reaction paired with his explosiveness allows him to leave any defender in the dust. This can also bolster Borussia’s counter attack in the Bundesliga, something that is not commonly found there. He also has an above average foot from outside the box, but you will not be seeing him taking ridiculous shots from outside the box like Hazard. Hazard mostly likes to take it to the outsides and cut it back in. He is not a prolific scorer, only garnering three goals in all competition play for Borussia M’bach last year. Hazard is much more of an assists man, having 9 assists in 16 appearances last year.

What Are His Outlooks?

The Good

Enjoying his time at Borussia M’bach, Hazard starts to develop into one of the quickest midfielders in the game. Thorgan develops not only becomes more explosive, but also starts to take more chances from the outside the box. He will not necessarily score on all these chances, but he his shot total will increase and maybe just maybe one or two squeak by unsuspecting goalies. Hazard also develops to have good control in the midfield, using his explosiveness to leave the defender behind him once he beats him off the dribble instead trying to just out run the defender on the league. With his help Borussia M’bach will finish in the top half of the league, increase in scoring, and solidify a spot in Europa League.

The Bad

Chelsea makes their sale of Hazard look greater with the struggles of Hazard at Borussia M’bach.  Hazard will still have the quickness, but the defenders will beat him to the spot before he can turn on the turbo jets, stopping him in his tracks.  Thorgan is on contract through 2020, but is sold way before that due to his lack of efficiency for Borussia M’bach.  They will still make a profit due to his young age and potential that is still there, but will not make a profit like Chelsea did off of them.  With his struggle, Borussia M’bach will finish in the middle of the Bundesliga, with a great chance of missing out on Europa league.

By: Ryan Bode

Transfer Profile: Xherdan Shaqiri

By: Ryan Bode

Xherdan Shaqiri

Old Team: FC Bayern Munich

New Team: Inter Milan

Basic Demographics

The Swiss national has been one of the up and coming players in FC Bayern for a few years. He already starts on the Switzerland national team and is only 23. Standing at only 5’7’’ tall on a good day, do not expect him to be flying through the air for goals. He is a stockier played, meaning that he will be able to control the ball in the midfield without getting pushed around. He does have nimble feet so he will be able to dance around some players. He plays midfield and he plays best on making plays on the outside, turning tight corners into scoring opportunities. Shaqiri is also known as a prolific free kick taker, being able to score or create an opportunity after a foul.

What was his transfer fee?

Inter received him on loan from Bayern at first in 2014. Inter had the opportunity to scout him and make sure that he would be the right fit for the Serie A club. Bayern let him go for a somewhat of a good profit at 18 million euros, which is equivalent to 20.23 million US dollars. To put it plain and simple, Bayern just had way too much in their midfield already and Shaqiri was going to have an uphill battle to get any playing time (which is why he went out on loan to begin with). Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery are dominating the outside while Bastian Schweinsteiger will control the middle. Shaqiri will have to wait a couple years to start and that waiting time will put a stall on his development as a player.

What He Brings to Inter Milan?

Since Serie A is not the premier league to be in, Shaqiri should get plenty of playing time to develop as a player and Inter could see him as a staple for the future. In addition to creating a staple for Inter, Inter could turn quite a profit if Shaqiri sees his future elsewhere. The one downside that Shaqiri has is his stamina is not up to par for a typical infielder. Shaqiri only played a full game five times over three seasons at Bayern. Shaqiri also has an issue with his outward appearance, showing frustration at time over the lack of time that he has played at Bayern. If Roberto Mancini, Inter Milan’s manager, does not choose him sometimes for the starting XI, he needs to control his emotions and let no one know what he is truly thinking. Mancini will still have a lot more work to do in getting to the top of Serie A(strengthening the defense), but getting Shaqiri is a step in the right direction.

What His Outlooks Are at Inter Milan?

The Good

Shaqiri adds a much needed midfielder that can score from the outside for Inter. Shaqiri plays plenty of minutes and starts to show signs of becoming a super star and bringing Inter back to prominence. His immediate impact is that with his help, Inter will qualify for Europa League out of Serie A. He will be a difference maker for Inter, definitely getting Inter out of the rut where they only gained 5 points out of 17 games in league play.

The Bad

Mancini just utterly ruins Shaqiri’s career and Inter sells on the cheap to another team. Mancini cannot rotate him into the squad and Shaqiri’s anger starts to spread throughout the team, turning on Mancini. Shaqiri moves on to another club leaving Inter in a worse state than he arrived to. Shaqiri has little to no progression in player development, especially in the stamina department due to his lack of minutes.