Who is this £9m Brighton new signing? The next big Brazilian talent?
Brighton have signed defender Bernardo from RB Leipzig on a four-year deal for a reported fee of £9m. The 23-year-old played 49 games for the German club since joining in 2016.
Manager Chris Hughton will welcome a versatile player like him who can play in several positions across the backline. Bernardo will bring quality and calmness to the squad in addition to his abilities on the ball.
Let us take an in-depth look at the player and signify why Brighton have done well to sign him.
Scouting Bernardo
The first thing to note about Bernardo is that he is not only a defender but also can contribute to attacking moves of the team. The Brazilian possesses quality on the ball and an eye for picking out telling passes. He had a pass success rate of 73% with 0.3 key passes per game.
The 23-year-old demonstrates tenacity of the highest order to win one-on-one duels against a winger. He can tackle, intercept and start off a counter-attack all by himself. The tackle and interception rate of 2.4 and 1 per game in the Bundesliga depicts his high standards off the ball.
In a typical 4-5-1 system of Chris Hughton, Bernardo can fit in as a left-back or as a right-back without much fuss. He can move forward with the ball and has the virtue to not lose the ball in dangerous areas of the field. The 23-year-old had a possession concession rate of only 0.6 per game last season.
Hence, Brighton are getting a gem of a player who will add dynamism to their squad. He will also bring an air of certitude and fabulous enthusiasm, which will uplift the Amex Stadium.
Read More: Why Brighton are doing the right thing by pursuing this 25-year-old Championship defensive wall
Verdict
A very fine move by the Seagulls to get Bernardo at an age where his ‘peak period’ as a player starts. The 23-year-old sure has some areas to improve but he also has time and probably the right manager to guide him through.
The Premier League is a stage where a player can be made, thanks to its worldwide following. So, if Bernardo takes this opportunity with both hands, you never know, he can be known as the next big thing in Brazilian football.
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