Assessing Liverpool target and Brazilian pass-master Andre
Deep lying playmakers have been attracting plenty of attention over the past year. The change in the way modern teams are setting up has turned such profiles into the most sought after in the market. It's not hard to see why. The role requires players to be solid out of possession, good at retaining the ball, contribute in build-up in the first phase and also help progress the ball.
You’re basically looking at the most complete players on the pitch. The likes of Enzo Fernandez, Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, who are exceptional at most of the above, have all recently transferred for upwards of €100m.
The search for this skillset takes us to Brazil, where midfielder Andre has been putting in impressive performances in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A.
Andre came through the youth academy of Brazilian giants Fluminense, but played as an attacker in his early days. The lack of game time due to competition for offensive positions forced him to move into a deeper midfield role where he has been excelling since the 2021 season.
Andre Transfer Value - how much is he worth?
Andre’s current Expected Transfer Value (xTV) is €8.7m. His value has almost doubled since the start of the year due to his impressive on-pitch performances.
According to reports, Liverpool have put in a bid of around €30m for his services, but it is likely that Fluminense will be reluctant to let their main man go in the middle of a Copa Libertadores campaign. The crazy valuations for players in his position mean that their resolve will possibly need to be tested with a much higher offer.
Andre’s strengths and weaknesses - what does the data say?
A deep lying playmaker is actively involved in their team’s actions as they receive the ball a lot more in their deeper position. Andre’s is that metronome for Fluminense. With almost 80 passes attempted per 90, he has the ability to dictate the tempo of the game like few others in the league.
The Brazilian international also has an expansive passing range and is amonge the league leaders in making short and medium passes. He also makes a good amount of switches to keep recycling play. What is most impressive is that he does all of this with a pass completion rate of 94.1%, which is the best in the league.
Although Andre does help his team progress the ball by making over seven passes into the final third per 90, he does not make enough penetrating passes to be the creative focal point of his team. A lot of his passes are sideways or backwards and this shows up in his lower key pass and xA figures.
While this is certainly an area for improvement, it is not his primary responsibility in the team. Andre makes things tick and does the dirty work that protects and gives freedom to the more creative and attacking players.
The diminutive midfielder makes over seven ball recoveries and almost four tackles and interceptions per 90. He is also great in defensive transition and tackles 62.5% of dribblers, putting him in the top 7% of midfielders in the Brasileirão.
At 1.76 metres, André’s size gives him a low centre of gravity that makes him very dynamic when dribbling and carrying the ball out. His 2.27 carries into the final third and a progressive carrying distance of 170.7 yards per 90 ranks him among the best in his positional group.
As WhoScored stats point out, one weakness is his ability in the air. His size becomes a disadvantage here as the midfielder wins only 44.4% of his aerial duels, compared to someone like Caicedo who wins 64.9% of his. There is a bit of risk of this getting exposed even more in the Premier League.
Liverpool lost out in their pursuit of Caicedo, and to the surprise of many signed Wataru Endo instead. Jurgen Klopp is clearly looking at more reinforcement in this area but it is still unclear if the reds see Andre coming in as a direct starter, or as a future replacement for Thiago Alcantara.
Either way Andre looks ready to be the next Brazilian star closing in on a move to Europe.
This article was provided by FootballTransfers
