…which is always a dodgy strategy; transfer history is littered with expensive flops that looked great during a two week tournament.
SAF:
"I based my decision to buy him on what I saw when he helped Brazil with the World Cup in Japan two years ago. He was excellent there - mobile, two-footed, quick, young and a good professional.
"In my experience, it does seem to take South American players more time to settle here than people from other parts of the world. But he was desperately unlucky to suffer two long-term injuries and that hardly helps a young lad from Brazil to settle in.
"His injury this summer in the Copa America has held him back again, but he has been looking sharp and good since returning to training. I think he will be better this season."