Leeds United’s director of football Victor Orta could help secure a dream duo at Elland Road by signing Hertha Berlin’s Matheus Cunha this summer.
What’s the story?
Reports in recent days have suggested that Marcelo Bielsa has his sights set on the Brazilian after initially putting in an enquiry for the winger back in the January transfer window.
If Orta can now pull off a deal at the second time of asking, he could help to create a really exciting partnership at the Yorkshire club.
Imagine him and Bielsa
Able to play as a number 10, off the left or even down the middle on his own, Cunha has shown the kind of versatility which marks him out as a player Bielsa would surely love to get his hands on with his ability to interchange positions.
The £27m-rated Brazilian has shades of Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino about him, with that impressive knack of being able to drop slightly deeper and get his teammates involved, and it’s something which has been highlighted by the Bundesliga’s official website.
“Much like the former Bundesliga star, Cunha honed his skills on the streets of Brazil, giving him a one-up on defenders. He can beat them with his speed, skill or intelligence to drift from his marker, having practiced in every position across the front line.
“And much like Firmino, Cunha – even when leading the line – can be found dropping into midfield to pick up possession and link up play with teammates. It’s part of the reason why he’s such a hard attacker to defend against because more often than not, he’s not where you expect him to be.”
Dubbed as “something special” by former Hertha head coach Bruno Labbadia, the club’s one-time sporting director Michael Preetz has also waxed lyrical about him, saying: “Matheus is a young player with enormous potential, who has already shown his impressive skills.”
Having already helped Cunha’s fellow Brazilian Raphinha turn into a Premier League star this season in his debut campaign in English football, Bielsa could do the very same with the 21-year-old.
Young, exciting and having the intelligence to beat players and opposition defenders, Cunha appears to have the tactical brain and nous even at an early age to buy into Bielsa’s demands.
Not every player is built for the kind of rigorous approach the Leeds manager takes, but the Brazilian appears well suited to it, and that is exactly why he and Bielsa could prove to be a dream duo were the 21-year-old to get signed by Orta.
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