28 Jan 2019 20:19:33
Can I just say, that from the footage I've managed to find, Tonali is nothing like Pirlo! They are Italian midfielders and have long hair. End of comparison.

He looks more like a young Fabregas. Much more mobile, more attack minded, and very good at arriving late on the edge of the box. He also has that surprising tenacious side the young Cesc had as a box to box player in his early years. The Pirlo comparison is ridiculously lazy. His passing range isn't as spectacular and nor are his set pieces.

He best sign for us now else I've just wasted 3 hours on this kid 😂.


1.) 28 Jan 2019
28 Jan 2019 22:14:24
Is his first name Bruno?

I’ll give him a TEN!


2.) 28 Jan 2019
28 Jan 2019 23:24:26
As long as it a ten Ron and you don't want to give him one.


3.) 29 Jan 2019
29 Jan 2019 05:14:55
He does look like a decent shout despite his lack of height.
He’s got quick feet so is able to create space for himself - he’ll need that in the premier league.
Italians don’t seem to settle very well at Liverpool though and aged 18 I’d be worried about his game time.
Maybe loan him back 👍.

{Ed001's Note - can I just point out that MKS just described Pirlo at a young age. He developed the passing range and free kicks during his career.}


4.) 29 Jan 2019
29 Jan 2019 06:01:16
Just watched his tube compilation and a lot of his long-range passing looks top notch. The most impressive attribute for me was his close control especially under pressure. Not saying we should sign him but his highlight reel certainly makes you want to see more of the lad and, let's face it, noone has delivered on the coiffure front since Torres first joined.


5.) 29 Jan 2019
29 Jan 2019 07:57:29
As I said the other day Ed, I'm too young to remember Pirlo under about 27 years old 😂.

{Ed001's Note - I never saw him play at the time, but I have done my research on him in recent years.}


6.) 29 Jan 2019
29 Jan 2019 08:03:30
Like a Virgil, I thought his long passing looked poor. The trajectory was to high so the recipients where having to wait too long for the ball to drop. He also seems to put the ball too long or too short forcing then to control the ball with their head or trying to control a ball bouncing up in front of them.

Serie B, there is probably loads of time for players to get the pass under control. In the Premier League he'd need to cut that out until he's honed the skill a bit more or he'd get people clattered with hospital passes.

I agree with Ron regarding loaning him back.


7.) 29 Jan 2019
29 Jan 2019 08:09:48
Time for a player profile on Pirlo? :D.


8.) 29 Jan 2019
29 Jan 2019 19:00:40
Ed01, I saw Pirlo play for Italy (alongside Roberto Baronio, Nicola Ventola, Gatusso, Zambrotta etc) with the U23's qualification games for the 2000 Olympics. I remember the final qualifying game (a two legged affair with the French) and he was brilliant. he scored the winning goal to qualify Italy for the Olympics via you guessed it, a free kick in the dying minutes (I think the game went to extra time) .

I had known him as well cos he came up the ranks at Inter BUT since Morrati (Inter's owner) was trying to buy the Scudetto, he had to go make his name at Regina and then Brescia (alongside a certain Roberto Baggio, Luca Toni and. Pep Guardiola) . This is where he developed his deep lying play making ability and before the 2002/ 03 season, he was signed by AC Milan under returning Carlo Ancelotti and the rest as they say, is history.