Bernard Player Profile
Nationality: Brazilian
Age: 21
Height: 5’5’’ or 1.64 m
Position(s): LW, CAM, RW
Foot: Right
The diminutive Brazilian currently plies his trade at Shakhtar Donetsk and was recently bought by the Ukrainian club for €25m. But current scenarios of unrest due to Ukraine’s issues with Russia have prompted him to talk about leaving the club. Many Premier League clubs are in need of a creative midfield player and Bernard, a young 21 year old full Brazil International’s availability will be too hard to ignore.
Bernard uses his small stature to his advantage as it provides him low centre of gravity that empowers him with excellent dribbling techniques and skills. He possesses that exciting drop of the shoulder that enables him to move past defenders with extreme ease. Known for his speed, energy and enthusiasm for the game, Bernard can be employed anywhere behind the striker, preferably from the wings.
Bernard has had a good season in the league despite having played only 9 games out of the 18 played at this stage, out of which 7 have been starts. He has contributed with 7 assists and a goal, clearly stating that he can create or finish.
There are some big clubs all over Europe that are in need of creative midfielders like Liverpool who lost out on Salah and Konoplyanka or Arsenal who need one more good attacker but lost out on Julian Draxler this January. Recent rumours surfaced about Juventus and PSG being interested in Chelsea’s £45m-rated playmaker Oscar, but considering the fact that Oscar has emerged as a key figure for Jose Mourinho’s new look Chelsea which made him sell the other two extremely talented playmakers in De Bruyne and Mata, it is rather impossible for Mourinho to let go of his favourite creator.
Having won International acclaim back in 2011, when he won his first cap for Brazil, Bernard has come a long way. He helped his Brazilian side Atletico finish second in the league by which they qualified for the Copa Libertadores before moving to Shakhtar at the start of this season. He has got what it takes to fit a Jose Mourinho’s team and although it is unlikely that Oscar might be sold, Bernard is not far behind Oscar.
Although there are not any heavy rumours linking him with European heavyweights until now, Bernard will definitely get a look it from these clubs in the summer. A bright youngster, probably on the substitute bench of Brazil at the world club can be up for grabs in the summer, where will he play next? Only time will tell.