Hi everyone.
Gabriel Barbosa AKA Gabigol came to Inter in 2016/17 and played less than 90 minutes across 10 matches in the entire season, scoring 1 goal. It is worth noting that the 2016/17 season was especially tumultuous for Inter with changes in ownership and 3 coaches coming and going.
Some argue the instability contributed to Barbosa's inability to settle in. However, there were rumors that he was "tactically unintelligent" and all 3 coaches preferred the aging and severely diminished Rodrigo Palacio over Barbosa.
Former coach Frank de Boer later stated Barbosa was lazy in training, went everywhere with an entourage and acted like a superstar.
After a dismal season, for both the player and the club, we sent him on loan to Benfica for the 17/18 season. Gabigol only played 5 times in 6 months amidst further rumors of indiscipline and a falling out with manager Rui Vitoria. After half a season (and a second failed stint in Europe), the clubs agreed to cut his loan short and the player was loaned back to Santos. He had a strong 2018 season, scoring 27 in 53 apps, and was promptly snapped up by Flamengo on loan for the next season.
He exploded at Flamengo and played a starring role in their unprecedented Serie A and Libertadores double. He scored 25 goals in 29 league games, finishing with 43 goals in 59 in all comps, including 2 in the Libertadores final.
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Since the Brasileiro season came to an end in December, there's been a lot of noise regarding his future. The player still has a contract with Inter until 2022.
The two main rumors that have been circulating are:
1) Inter have accepted a €16M + 30% of future sale offer from Flamengo, but Flamengo have been unable to come to an agreement with the player (IMO the most likely scenario)
2) Inter are holding out for a better offer from a European team (IMO newspaper speculation. It's only recently that clubs like Crystal Palace, Chelsea and now Spurs have been linked)
Some Inter fans want the club to give him a chance based on his impressive goalscoring record. However, the vast majority want him sold. I'm with the majority on this one.
Many of us have kept an eye on Gabigol during his time in Brazil. There's no question he has an eye for goal - and this intangible skill is an invaluable asset. But I find there are other considerations that must be taken into account:
The first is that the Brazilian Serie A defense is laughably poor. The second is that, for me, despite his record, he just doesn't pass the eye test. IMO, he has no discernibly special assets. Physically speaking, he's not very fast or strong. Technically speaking, he's average at best.
His positioning does seem pretty good, as he's regularly in place to score tons of tap-ins (a skill which isn't to be taken lightly). His best asset is a good left foot shot.
I know a lot of people have this belief that he's a SS or inside/wide forward. Indeed, when we first signed him, most Inter fans were under the assumption he would play RW in a 4231. Having watched him closely, I believe he is a pure #9. I've seen absolutely nothing to suggest he is capable of playing on the wing. He lacks the pace, the skill and the work rate. He could potentially play in a 2 man attack though.
From the perspective of an Inter fan, it would be great to sell him in January. Naturally, the better the offer, the better for us.
To your Spurs perspective, I feel like it is a massive, massive risk and a puzzling move. I hope the desperation for a Kane replacement doesn't lead to some inadvisable purchases, like Gabigol, or Piatek.
Gabriel Barbosa AKA Gabigol came to Inter in 2016/17 and played less than 90 minutes across 10 matches in the entire season, scoring 1 goal. It is worth noting that the 2016/17 season was especially tumultuous for Inter with changes in ownership and 3 coaches coming and going.
Some argue the instability contributed to Barbosa's inability to settle in. However, there were rumors that he was "tactically unintelligent" and all 3 coaches preferred the aging and severely diminished Rodrigo Palacio over Barbosa.
Former coach Frank de Boer later stated Barbosa was lazy in training, went everywhere with an entourage and acted like a superstar.
After a dismal season, for both the player and the club, we sent him on loan to Benfica for the 17/18 season. Gabigol only played 5 times in 6 months amidst further rumors of indiscipline and a falling out with manager Rui Vitoria. After half a season (and a second failed stint in Europe), the clubs agreed to cut his loan short and the player was loaned back to Santos. He had a strong 2018 season, scoring 27 in 53 apps, and was promptly snapped up by Flamengo on loan for the next season.
He exploded at Flamengo and played a starring role in their unprecedented Serie A and Libertadores double. He scored 25 goals in 29 league games, finishing with 43 goals in 59 in all comps, including 2 in the Libertadores final.
____________________________________________
Since the Brasileiro season came to an end in December, there's been a lot of noise regarding his future. The player still has a contract with Inter until 2022.
The two main rumors that have been circulating are:
1) Inter have accepted a €16M + 30% of future sale offer from Flamengo, but Flamengo have been unable to come to an agreement with the player (IMO the most likely scenario)
2) Inter are holding out for a better offer from a European team (IMO newspaper speculation. It's only recently that clubs like Crystal Palace, Chelsea and now Spurs have been linked)
Some Inter fans want the club to give him a chance based on his impressive goalscoring record. However, the vast majority want him sold. I'm with the majority on this one.
Many of us have kept an eye on Gabigol during his time in Brazil. There's no question he has an eye for goal - and this intangible skill is an invaluable asset. But I find there are other considerations that must be taken into account:
The first is that the Brazilian Serie A defense is laughably poor. The second is that, for me, despite his record, he just doesn't pass the eye test. IMO, he has no discernibly special assets. Physically speaking, he's not very fast or strong. Technically speaking, he's average at best.
His positioning does seem pretty good, as he's regularly in place to score tons of tap-ins (a skill which isn't to be taken lightly). His best asset is a good left foot shot.
I know a lot of people have this belief that he's a SS or inside/wide forward. Indeed, when we first signed him, most Inter fans were under the assumption he would play RW in a 4231. Having watched him closely, I believe he is a pure #9. I've seen absolutely nothing to suggest he is capable of playing on the wing. He lacks the pace, the skill and the work rate. He could potentially play in a 2 man attack though.
From the perspective of an Inter fan, it would be great to sell him in January. Naturally, the better the offer, the better for us.
To your Spurs perspective, I feel like it is a massive, massive risk and a puzzling move. I hope the desperation for a Kane replacement doesn't lead to some inadvisable purchases, like Gabigol, or Piatek.