Football has changed inconceivably since that day in 1997 when an unknown Nicolas Anelka debuted for Arsenal. Now, the internet explosion, social media, online journalism, FIFA in all its creations and Football Manager, have made the game easily accessible to all. BT Sport and Sky allow one to watch almost every league and even Eurosport give vast coverage to U-17 tournaments, everyone is able to be an armchair scout. It is therefore unusual that a young player in one of Europe’s top leagues can still offer an element of intrigue, yet this is the case for Bordeaux’s Brazilian attacking midfielder, Malcom.
Malcom arrived in France in 2016 from the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A winning side, Corinthians. He had scored 12 goals in 74 appearances for the club, but he was still a rough diamond lacking in tactical intelligence, still perhaps not ready for the rigours of Ligue 1. His first full season was a commendable one, he made himself a fan favourite as Bordeaux finished in a respectable sixth spot, making the Europa League rounding off a good campaign. Malcom during this spell, turned himself into an inverted winger, a pacey and skilful player who could light up a game with a strong direct run and what’s more a devastating shot. He finished with five goals and two assists that year, which ultimately gave him the confidence to start the next season in style.
Back in September, it all looked different for Bordeaux, despite exiting the Europa League in the early stages, courtesy of Hungarian side Videton, they were playing well. Perhaps this defeat gave them the kick they needed for Ligue 1 and Jocelyn Gourvennece’s side after six games sat in fourth place, they had played some excellent football but also owed a lot to Malcom. He had started the campaign in electric form and is powerful, gliding and direct approach had been topped off with some eye-watering finishes. He had scored three times in four games (just look at his equaliser again Lyon early in the season) and it appears the season would be a successful one. Gourvennec had allowed Malcom to have more of a free role after claiming “He is just a joyous and galvanising for the squad as ever, he is young yet so mature”.
Unfortunately for the Bordeaux coach, the form wouldn’t last forever and before the winter break his team were nothing short of shambolic. Malcom however, was not. He continued to try and push his team through the bad spell although his teamwork started to depreciate as he tried to individually drag them through their poor spell. This still culminated with a first half season tally of seven goals and five assists, not bad considering his team picked up five points out of 14 before Christmas. This drew the interest of the likes of Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Arsenal and more.
Perhaps it was the Sven Mislintat link that meant both Arsenal and Dortmund were looking at the Brazilian. At the moment the Gunners look in pole position, with a 40m Euro move being talked about in the press, this in turn would be a smart move for Bordeaux who spent around 5m Euro on him when hew moved from Brazil. Just because he has increased his highlight reel at Bordeaux, does not mean that he will be an instant hit at the Emirates however. For all his Brazilian flare, he drifts in an out of game, he doesn’t always make the right decision and he can often be too individual rather than work for the collective.
For Arsenal, the risk is worth taking however, look at the example of Philippe Coutinho at Inter. His move from Vasco Da Gama saw him play only 23 times for the Nerazzurri. Another diamond in the rough, he was discarded to quickly and the story from their on in is now one that the Milanese don’t like to hear about. There is more than potential in Malcom, there is genuine talent and a meeting of minds in style and intelligence with his potential new team-mates.
Arsenal in recent years seem to have abandoned the idyllic philosophy. Normally they would buy developing players like Malcom, in an attempt to have a more holistic approach to the game than their competitors. Now with big money moves being mentioned again, this ideology seems to be slipping, meaning that they are becoming no different than the rest, they are simply now just behind. The signing of Malcom would give much to the Emirates as he is in the most part unknown, he is still raw, but he is talented and as he develops he would become their own. The Brazilian is not the finished article by any means but perhaps Arsenal fans deep down don’t want that, they want a player who relates best their fading identity.
