Thiago Almada: What to expect from the Atlanta United target

Atlanta United look set to make another big statement in the transfer market with the signing of Argentine sensation Thiago Almada.

Linked to Manchester United just over a year ago, Almada would represent a great pick-up for the Five Stripes, who have placed a lot of faith in South American talent since their inaugural 2017 campaign.

But what are Almada's biggest strengths? And what will the 20-year-old bring to Atlanta United? Read on to find out.

Who is Thiago Almada?

Raised in the same Buenos Aries barrio, Fuerte Apache, as Carlos Tevez, Almada is a true Argentine 'pibe' - a 'kid' or 'urchin' battling on the rugged pitches in the shadows of the city tower blocks.

“It was a really poor neighborhood," Tevez told the Daily Mail of Fuerte Apache in 2011. "Everything was really hard. When it was dark and you looked out of the window, what you saw would scare anyone. After a certain time, you could not go into the street. I could have started doing drugs and ended up at the bottom but instead, I made it to where I am now.”

Almada's barrio upbringing has added a rugged edge to his game, not too dissimilar to that of Diego Maradona, who was nicknamed 'El Pibe de Oro (The Golden Kid) during his younger days.

Atlanta United's interest in the 20-year-old is unsurprising given their coach at the start of this season, Gabriel Heinze, worked with Almada during their Velez days. “That kid really wants it,” Heinze said of the youngster's hard-working attitude.

Thiago Almada - style of play

Though he started out playing on the flanks, Almada has enjoyed the most success playing through the middle in the classic 'enganche' role.

The Argentine likes to drift between the lines, particularly in the left half-space where he can cut onto his right foot and thread through-balls, take shots himself, or drive at the opposition defense.

Receiving the ball in this spot also often gives him the right body shape to play passes over the backline for onrushing forwards. Luiz Araujo is particularly smart with these sorts of runs and the two could form a deadly partnership.

Starting in the No.10 position, Almada has 12 goals and eight assists to his name in 50 appearances, compared to 10 goals and three assists in 31 games combined in all other positions.

According to Smarterscout's style ratings, which assigns a numerical value to player traits similar to those seen in the FIFA and Football Manager video games, Almada rates at 89/99 for attacking output 92 for ball retention, and 98 for link-up.

His low center of gravity makes him deceptively tough to dispossess and if you allow him to get into a central area, he's by no means scared to take on a shot, regardless of the distance.

"Almada really feels like a generational talent," Argentine football expert Tom Robinson of World Football Index and GOLAZO told 90min.

"He's certainly stayed in Argentina longer than expected but that's helped him mature and develop physically. He shouldn't find the transition to MLS anywhere near as difficult as Ezequiel Barco did. With no disrespect meant to Atlanta United or MLS as a whole, he should be in Europe already."

How will Almada fit in at Atlanta United?

To facilitate Almada's DP contract, Atlanta United will most likely sell Ezequiel Barco, who has finally shown the sort of form that will get him to Europe this season with six goals and five assists since returning from the Olympics over the summer.

Gonzalo Pineda has pretty much universally used a hybrid of 3-4-3 and 3-5-2 systems during his short time as Atlanta head coach so far.

In this set-up, Almada would be best used on the inside left, tucking inside to connect with Josef Martinez and Araujo, while allowing his left-wing-back - either George Bello or a new candidate, if the USMNT defender moves in January - space to drive forward and provide width.

Pineda would also have the option of playing a 4-3-3 with Almada and Araujo flanking Martinez, or putting his new signing in his favored 'enganche' role as the most advanced of a midfield three.

Regardless - and whether or not it means Barco has to leave - the signing of Almada, who recently received his first-ever senior call-up for Argentina, would arm Atlanta United with one of the deadliest forward lines in MLS.