FC Barcelona finally made their first signing after the departure of Neymar for €222 million. But unlike many experts predicted, it wasn’t a marquee signing or anything remotely close to it.
Based on several reports that were later confirmed during Monday, Los Blaugranas secured the services of Paulinho for a reported €40M fee. If that name rings a bell or two, well then it’s the same Paulinho you are thinking about. Yes, the former Tottenham bust who is now a regular starter in the Brazilian National Team.
But keep your cool, Barca fans. Paulinho might not be a sexy signing. But he is exactly what Barcelona needs right now. First of all, let’s put things into perspective here.
Barcelona will go through an important tactical change with the arrival of Ernesto Valverde as head coach. The 4-3-3 system from the Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique days will cease to exist, as Valverde plays with a 4-2-3-1 tactic. That system requires two central midfielders, where one of the team needs to bring balance between the defensive and attacking lines. And that’s the role Paulinho fits best. He might not have shown it during his Tottenham days, but he thrives filling that exact same position with Brazil.
Oh, and he can do some magic with the ball on his feet as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhNfRKDhoyQ&w=854&h=480
The Brazilian is organized, tactical, and possesses a clean touch. He can operate on a more defensive stance if needed but thrives going forward when given enough space. In some ways, he is a better, more complete version of Andre Gomes. Or a more balanced version of Ivan Rakitic, but without the Croatian’s filthy pass in the final third. Paulinho would be the perfect complement for defensive midfielders such as Sergio Busquets or Sergi Roberto.
His presence would also allow Rakitic, Andre Gomes or Andres Iniesta to play freely in a more attacking role. Knowing Barca will now use a number 10 in a three-man line between Lionel Messi and whoever starts on the left wing, it’s imperative to find a creative player who shouldn’t worry too much about the defensive aspect of the game. Both Iniesta and Rakitic can fill that void since Paulinho will be guarding their backs.
And yes, €40M sounds like a lot of money. But if we consider the current market rates, then we can realize Barca are not spending that much either. I mean, they just got THE STARTING CM OF THE BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM FOR €40M. Does that sound better now?
Paulinho is not going to fill the void left by Neymar’s departure. And frankly, he doesn’t represent much of a big upgrade when we compare last season’s roster and the current one. But he will play a huge role for Valverde as a key presence in midfield, and he will allow the attacking players to have far more freedom to do what they do best in the final third.
And let’s be honest – all good teams need some like that. Bayern Munich has Arturo Vidal. Real Madrid has Casemiro. Manchester United have Nemanja Matic, and Manchester City have Yaya Toure. Chelsea have N’Golo Kante, and PSG have Marco Verratti. Now Barcelona have Paulinho. And he is going to win the fans with his play on the field, not with the millions the club spent to sign him.