The switch window was virtually over when HSV introduced their followers with an actual blockbuster: Fábio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga moved from FC Arsenal to the Elbe on Deadline Day.
The Vieira deal, specifically, initially appeared like a totally unrealistic FIFA switch. “How did a participant with a market worth of twenty-two million euros fall into our palms?” many supporters of the Rothosen should have rightly requested themselves.
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However it’s also clear: Each midfielders might show to be actual sport changers. As a result of as a lot as one might label the newcomers as “failed,” their nice potential is equally simple.
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Too good for HSV?
However, it initially appears absurd. Two gamers who not too way back have been on the fringes of Arsenal’s beginning eleven are actually becoming a member of HSV. In a group that did not rating a single purpose within the first two Bundesliga weeks and is more likely to combat in opposition to relegation till the thirty fourth matchday.
However in the event you look nearer, you rapidly understand: This could possibly be a reasonably good deal for each side. The North Germans get two extremely proficient gamers with worldwide expertise. In return, Vieira and Lokonga obtain a stage the place they will lastly present once more why they as soon as price over 50 million euros mixed.
The unrecognized midfield expertise
Sambi Lokonga is a kind of gamers the place you marvel: Why did not it work out in England? Anybody who sees him in possession of the ball instantly understands why he was as soon as Vincent Kompany’s favourite. At RSC Anderlecht, the present Bayern coach appointed him captain on the age of simply 21.
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The Belgian is a contemporary six-eight hybrid who can learn the sport like a veteran. He stays cool underneath stress, with a watch and braveness for dangerous passes.
Lokonga operates proof against urgent and might management his group’s possession phases from a deep place. And that is precisely the place HSV is at present missing: There’s a lack of construction within the build-up and particularly of calmness and ball safety within the middle. The newcomers Nicolás Capaldo and Nicolai Remberg have their strengths primarily in protection.
📸 Julian Finney – 2022 Getty Photographs
So is Lokonga the answer? That is arduous to foretell! Loaned to FC Sevilla, he performed solely 22 La Liga video games final season. He missed a complete of 13 matches attributable to harm. The yr earlier than, it was even 24! The 25-year-old thus has a well-filled medical report.
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However: His potential remains to be clearly recognizable, making the Deadline Day transfer to HSV so thrilling.
Failed attributable to timing, not expertise?
Maybe much more thrilling is the case of Fábio Vieira. Three years in the past, Arsenal dug deep into their pockets to pry the playmaker away from FC Porto for a whopping 35 million euros. Again then, he was thought of some of the thrilling artistic gamers in Europe. Somebody with eye, a robust left foot, and plenty of concepts within the remaining third.
When the Gunners took off in 2022/2023 and subsequently grew to become runners-up thrice in a row, Vieira was merely overtaken by the prime quality of his new teammates. He might solely make an impression right here and there in its place. General, his enjoying time was removed from adequate, which is why he was loaned again to Porto final summer season.
📸 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU – AFP or licensors
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However in his previous dwelling, he as soon as once more hit poor timing: Instability and chaos prevailed on the Dragons, and the coach was modified twice. In the end, the Portuguese prime membership ended the season with the bottom factors tally in over ten years and barely made it into the Champions League.
However: Expertise does not simply disappear. Vieira brings creativity, technical finesse, and a playfulness that HSV by no means even got here near possessing earlier than. Even throughout his Porto mortgage, he collected eleven scorer factors throughout competitions. The same output within the Bundesliga is certainly inside the realm of chance!
Loads to lose – and to realize!
After all, such transfers are nonetheless a danger. Lokonga is extraordinarily injury-prone, Vieira has largely been a fringe determine lately. And each must adapt to a brand new league, new teammates, and a brand new coach.
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However that could possibly be the important thing: HSV gives the duo a recent begin, and Vieira, specifically, is more likely to instantly get the keys to the offense. Two (initially) failed gamers are supposed to make sure that the previous Bundesliga dinosaur does not get relegated once more after seven years within the second division. Will this plan work out?
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 Alex Pantling – 2023 Getty Photographs