Football: Which Team Is Buying Alex Sandro?

Alex Sandro has often been described as one of the best modern day left-backs because of his powerful runs into the opposition’s half and his lethal delivery. The ex-FC Porto man actually began his career as a left-winger but a series of injuries to other players in the left-back position for his club and his national side Brazil forced him to step into that role.

Style of play

After a stunning couple of seasons with Serie A Champions Juventus the defender is keen to leave Italy and a host of clubs are chasing his signature. Let’s dig into why the 5’11” Brazilian could become one of the signings of the summer.The tricks that Sandro learned as a left-winger have helped him to manipulate attackers in one-on-one situations but his greatest asset in those duels is his speed.

The 26-year-old has been statistically proven to be the fifth-fastest defender in Europe, meaning most wingers will struggle to nudge the ball past him and get to it before he does. Unfortunately for the Juve man, he’s been overshadowed in the Brazil team by Marcelo but he has continued to impress when he’s been called upon for his national team.

The most significant thing about his international status is what it shows us about the greatest strength of his game, his adapability. Playing domestic matches for Juventus, his team generally dominates the ball allowing him to play as a left wing back, which means he doesn’t have to focus too much on defending.

However in the Champions League, his side were pushed back and forced to play more defensively so he found himself playing as a regular left-back and in more intense defensive situations.

Sandro proved he is capable of fulfilling both roles to perfection, helping Juve to concede just three times before the final. At the same time he played in front of Marcelo for Brazil as a left-sided midfielder as part of a diamond formation.

Aside from his positioning and adaptability, Sandro had the highest pass accuracy percentage of all defenders in the Champions League last season, and the best crossing percentage of any full-back in Europe’s top leagues.

It also helps that the Brazilian loves to get about. His astonishing work-rate can sometimes make you forget where he’s actually playing as he’s constantly up and down the left flank.

His forceful and aggressive nature means he could fit into any of Europe’s elite sides with him being particularly suited to the Premier League, where the majority of the interest is coming from.

You can contact him at @alexsandro12_

 

Who is going to sign him?

Chelsea is the hot favourite as it looks to add a further clinical asset to its Premier League winning side. Statistically Sandro comfortably outclasses Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso but PSG is also on the hunt for a new full-back as are Liverpool and potentially Manchester City. Whoever intends to sign him will have to pay close to £60m, which isn’t cheap for a defender but I would argue he would provide as many assists as a £20m winger.

Fun Fact

Sandro is the most one-sided player in the Champions League. He had fewer touches with his weak foot than any other player in the competition last season.

by Nubaid Haroon  YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCtMg-fWm7awR41vM1GhVOkA  Twitter: twitter.com/rambofyi

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