MOT View: Stunning strike from reported Leeds target proves he deserves ‘new Messi’ hype
Reported Leeds United target Thiago Almada has a pretty big reputation preceding him.
The playmaker has been likened to all-conquering modern legend Lionel Messi already in his career, and the comparison goes beyond his diminutive stature and the fact that he is Argentinean.
The 19-year-old is a real creative livewire with a wonderful knack for taking people on.
Al Aire Libre initially reported the Whites’ interest in the starlet, and since then, Almada himself has spoken out to reveal that he would like to be managed by Bielsa, as per TyC Sports.
But is he worth investing in?
This season, as per Wyscout, the South American averaged 5.9 dribbles per 90 minutes, completing 44.2 %. He also completed an impressive 80.5% of his passes, while 40.5% of his shots hit the target, giving him an xG of 0.22.
As a point of reference, that’s more dribbles, more passes, and more shots on target than Pablo Hernandez this term.
And his prowess is reflected in his gameplay.
In particular, one goal he scored earlier in the season was prime example of the quality he oozes.
In the image above, Almada is the player circled on the edge of the box.
For a player of his stature and ability, it makes sense for him to be lurking on the periphery, waiting to pounce on any loose ball.
As the ball comes over it is headed up and out by a defender.
In fact, it travels so far into the air that by the time it reaches the apex of its flight, Almada is no longer in shot.
But all that does is makes what follows twice as impressive.
Almada watches the ball fall from the sky right on to his laces, and connects with a beautifully sweet volley.
The make such a clean connection is one thing, but to keep it down and arrow it past the keeper through a forest of bodies is quite another.
Will he ever be as good as Messi? Probably not, but then again perhaps nobody ever will be.
But does he still have an abundance of talent waiting to be unleashed? Absolutely he does.
In other Leeds United news, Bielsa wants this 15-goal South American striker.