:strip_icc()/s03.video.glbimg.com/x720/6449854.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1)
Palmeiras goal! Thiago Santos header after free kick, at 47 of the 1st half
But why the Fluminense decided to bet on this signing? Naturally, Thiago Santos was recommended by coach Fernando Diniz. But internally other points weighed in favor of the player:
- Market opportunity: down and at the end of his contract at Grêmio, the midfielder would have no problem being released and arriving for free at Fluminensewhich in turn had already opened up space on the payroll with the recent departures of Michel Araújo and Willian Bigode.
- Different features: of the current midfielders in the tricolor squad (Martinelli, André, Felipe Melo, Alexsander and Freitas), none resemble Thiago Santos’ style of play, which is essentially a strong marking and good in the aerial balls (he scores goals with his head). And there is confidence in Diniz’s track record of getting players back.
- Versatility: in addition to being another option for the midfield, depending on the game, Thiago Santos can also play in the defense, as he did in his time at Palmeiras. And do you remember that until recently the board was looking for a defender in the market? It’s not a coincidence. In Flu, they will also have reinforcement in this role, if necessary.
- Experience: steering wheel position Fluminense, despite being well served technically with André and Martinelli, is the youngest sector of the starting lineup. And having more solid players as an option is seen internally as positive. Weighing in favor of Thiago Santos is the fact that he is already experienced in Libertadores: he played four times in the tournament with Palmeiras.
O ge He also listened to two industry players who closely followed Thiago Santos at Palmeiras (from 2015 to 2019) and at Grêmio (from 2021 to 2023), his last two teams in Brazilian football, to remember how his time at each club was:
Felipe Zito, Palmeiras sector manager:
– Thiago was a player that Palmeiras signed at the time unknown, he was a highlight of Série B in América-MG. He was always a total watchdog, he played as a defensive midfielder and was the top scorer, number 5 on the team. Even in the beginning he was criticized for being just a scorer, but over time he evolved the ball going and attacking. But it was never his forte, he was always a scorer, that’s his main characteristic.
– He was important in the 2016 team, because Cuca had two versions of that Palmeiras: the one playing at home had Moisés, Tche Tchê and Cleiton Xavier; and Thiago was an option in the more defensive version, with Moisés and Tche Tchê. So he played a lot in that campaign. You can say that he had a good spell at Palmeiras, yes.
– It wasn’t a big highlight because his role didn’t allow it, but he always delivered what was expected of him. When he needed to play as a defender, he played. Sometimes it was even an invention of Cuca, he played as a defensive midfielder, and the team had only one defender (by trade).
Eduardo Moura, Grêmio sector manager:
– Since 2021 at Grêmio, Thiago Santos was a request from Renato at the time, but the coach left the club days after the signing was carried out. The midfielder was very marked by the Grêmio relegation campaign that year, when he often played alongside Lucas Silva. The duo’s lineup was the target of criticism from the tricolors.
– During Serie B, he started as a starter, but later lost his spot and became an option on the bench. At one point, Roger Machado even used it in matches away from the Arena, but not in Porto Alegre. With the arrival of Renato, it started to be used more frequently.
– Thiago Santos did not reach the same level in Porto Alegre as when he played for Palmeiras. He was always strong-willed and dedicated in defensive roles, but he had difficulty developing his game at Grêmio even “only” as a defensive midfielder. He was very marked by the crowd and without atmosphere in the club from Rio Grande do Sul.
Watch: all about the Fluminense on ge, on Globo and on sportv
