El Profesor

Flamengo defender Pablo Marí is rumored to be on his way to Arsenal. Marí is spanish and went to Brazil last year and was a big part of the team that won the brazilian league and Copa Libertadores. He'd probably be cheap and while not a world beater probably also an improvement over the CBs current on Arsenal squad. Before joining Flamengo, he was owned by Manchester City. So Arteta is probably familiar with him.

I think he´s a solid defender. Left-footed; passes the ball very well; his long-range passing in special is one of his best attributes; good in the air as well. On the negative side, he´s kinda slow. Not a world-beater but a very solid defender. For a fee of less than 10 million euros, it´s good business, in my opinion. Hishighlights against Liverpool last month:

Marí embarked to London tonight. Flamengo has given its ok and Marí will sign a contract with Arsenal. Both clubs and the player´s staff consider it a done deal. Fee still not confirmed but it´s believed to be around 9 million euros.

Those who follow the Brazilian Football thread are aware I´m a huge Bruno Guimarães fan. I think he´s the next great midfielder to come from Brazil. Complete midfielder, can press, has vision and also appears to finish and score some goals. Yesterday, in the first leg of Copa do Brasil final he scored the winning goal for Athletico Paranaense. According to a very reliable journalist, there were Chelsea scouts in the match to follow Bruno yesterday. But during the Renan Lodi deal, Atlético de Madrid assured the possibility of matching any offer above 30 million euros for him. It´s just a matter of time before he leaves brazilian football. Found a scouting report from a Chelsea fan on Twitter and i t describes his style well.

I was hopong he´d join Arsenal, but Lyon is a good destination for him as well. Juninho probably played a big part in this transfer.

More than that, Florentino seems to have a plan here. Real Madrid is acquiring lots of young talent. The post-Messi era could be similar to Barcelona what the post-Fergie era has been to United. Reinier cost 30 million euros to Real Madrid. 🇺🇦 Lunin (20) 🇲🇦 Hakimi (21) 🇧🇷 Militao (22) 🇪🇸 Reguilon (23) 🇺🇾 Valverde (21) 🇳🇴 Ødegaard (20) 🇧🇷 Reinier (18) 🇪🇸 Brahim (20) 🇯🇵 Kubo (18) 🇧🇷 Rodrygo (19) 🇧🇷 Vinicius (19) 🇷🇸 Jovic (22)

Hard to understand why Peru was so reactive in the 1st half. Had they played the entire match like they did the 1st half, perhaps they could've get a point or even win the match. Pacheco had a really good performance. Looking forward to see watch his development at Fluminense.

1-0 Brazil. Paulinho after a Bruno Guimarães assist. Bruno is so good, man.

He is. Bruno Guimarães and Arthur are the most talented young brazilians midfielders. Bruno is a very complete midfielder. He has good stamina and is very active defensively, really good vision, his long-range passes are very accurate. Atlético will regret not exercising the option to buy him.

Last time I read, Benfica was really close to complete his signing. It seems he's moving to Europe this window, just a matter of where and how much.

It's great. I really mean it. Hahaha Here, here:

I love me some banana and cinnamon pizza.

Valverde should have been fired after Anfield but the way Barcelona's board his dismissal is a disgrace. For all his faults, Valverde shouldn't have been treated like he was. Barcelona openly dealt with Xavi while Valverde was still the coach. That's not how such a club should handle things.

Yes, Ravens are scary good. Not sure what Vrabel can do to stop Lamar.

Niners and Ravens heavy favorites tonight?

So, Everton had a big Copa America and unsurpisingly, europeans are interested in his services. Globo Esporte reported yesterday that Arsenal is interested. This come as no surprise, since Edu will joing Arsenal´s management. Another club interested is Atlético de Madrid, who according to the same report are preparing an offer of 35 mi euros + 10 mi euros in variables. Still, I´m not sure about those fees. Grêmio really needs cash and 30 mi euros probably would do the trick here. Despite the interest from Atleti, I think that he´d prefer a move to Arsenal in the end, due to his familiriaty to Edu. Everton is a kinda of a late bloomer. He´s not your normal 18-year brazilian prospect. He´s already 23. That may put some teams off, but context is important here. He´s from Northeastern Brazil, one of the poorest regions of Brazil and an area that also lags behind in the development of players. He only became an undisputed starter last year. Having said that, I´m not sure how to project him in european football. A part of me appreciates what he´s being doing for Grêmio and for Brazil, he´s been very good. But instinctively, for some reason, I think he could very well be a flop in Europe. He´s fearless and he´s not afraid to try a dribble, but this comes with the negative aspect of him being dispossed in several ocasions during a match. On the other hand, he´s the kind of a winger who can guarantee 3 points for your team because he never gives up. That may be the one thing I really like in his football, the fact that he´s fearless.

Insane game between Bills and Texans. DeShaun Watson is immense. NFL playoffs are really special.

,Joe Burrow is a beast. 5 TDs before half-time. Bengals are lucky.

GloboEsporte with huge breaking news this evening, according to it Flamengo has just agree to sell Paquetá to Milan for 35 million euros. Milan finally gets their big name midfielder, big coup for Leonardo, who once again has used his connections in brazilian football to bring a brazilian midfielder to Milan, like he did with Kaká back in 2003. Paquetá will join Milan in January. https://globoesporte.globo.com/futebol/times/flamengo/noticia/flamengo-acerta-negociacao-de-lucas-paqueta-com-o-milan.ghtml?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=Esporte&utm_campaign=globoesportecom

This was closer than I expected. Flamengo even was the better team during some stretches. It's been decades since a south american team has played so well against an european side. Flamengo fans should be proud. Amazing season from them. I wonder if an european team will take a chance on Rodrigo Caio and Bruno Henrique during the winter market. They looked like they belong at the highest level today.

This match is a huge deal in Brazil and I'm certain this is also very important for Firmino and Alisson.

Does Everton always play like this? I mean, they look decent upfront and dominated the match during some stretches but are very naive defensively. Feel like they should offer Allegri all the money because there's some upside in this team.

With Palmeiras defeat to Grêmio, Flamengo is officially Brazilian champion. Two titles in less than 24 hours. Insane.

This match deserves its own thread. The two best teams in South America playing for the most important title in the continent, looking forward for this match. For this first time, it will be a one-game final, the match will take place in Lima.

Yep. That one. He´s also Neymar´s borther-in-law. haha This video of a family celebrating Gabigol´s second goal is brilliant. Watch until the end.