Flamengo manager Dorival Junior has compared AC Milan target Lucas Paqueta to Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric.
Paqueta, 21, has had a steep rise to prominence over the past two years, scoring 17 goals in 88 games for Flamengo, earning two caps for the Brazilian national team and drawing widespread comparisons to former AC Milan playmaker and Ballon d’Or winner Kaka.
However, Dorival believes the midfielder is better compared to De Bruyne and Modric, who are currently pulling the strings at Manchester City and Real Madrid respectively, and highlights Paqueta’s ‘balance’ as one of his key attributes.
“He has everything to make history,” Dorival said (via Football Italia) after Flamengo’s 3-0 win against Fluminense. He’s very similar to De Bruyne and Modric in terms of his dynamism, ability to participate in both phases of play and make an impact. He’s a very balanced midfielder.”
So balanced is Paqueta, in fact, that the 21-year-old is the only player in Brazil’s top flight to create 30+ chances, completed 40+ take-ons and make 60+ tackles; the midfielder has also won 68 aerial duels and scored nine goals for third-place Rubro-Negro.
As a point of comparison, De Bruyne was the only Premier League player to create 60+ chances and make 60+ tackles in 2017/18, establishing himself as arguably the best in his position in the Premier League.
Lucas Paquetá (21) is the only player to have completed 40+ tackles, 40+ dribbles and 30+ key passes in Brasileirão this season.
65 tackles
⚫ 44 dribbles
Dynamic. pic.twitter.com/UVcMNZW2jZ
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) October 10, 2018
Milan are rumoured to be preparing a £30.8m-plus-bonuses offer for Paqueta and while Dorival does appear to be resigned to losing his star player, he also seems to be supportive of the potential career move.
He added: “I haven’t talked to him yet directly, but negotiations are being very well managed by the board of directors.
“The player won’t lose concentration or change his way of playing. I see him very confident and enthusiastic about this new stage of his career.”
The post AC Milan target Lucas Paqueta is “very similar” to De Bruyne and Modric appeared first on Squawka News.
From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2EmglfX
No comments:
Post a Comment