Why Malcom Is the Most Talked-About Player in Europe

On January 31, 2016, Corinthians winger Malcom made what some considered to be an odd choice.

Despite receiving the sort of fanfare over his footballing ability only a top prospect would—the sort that would usually carry a player into the clutches of an elite club's development squad or rotation policy—he joined Girondins de Bordeaux, placed seventh in France's Ligue 1 with no European football to offer.

It was a decision geared toward maximising playing time from the off, with Bordeaux seemingly accepting their part in what was conceived as a stepping stone to Europe's top shelf. He managed 534 minutes in his acclimatising half season between January and May before becoming a full-blown starter at the beginning of the 2016-17 campaign.

Now, almost two years later, Malcom is one of the most talked-about young players in the world, with 18 Bordeaux goals to his name.

He has both Liverpool and Arsenal reportedly courting him with a £35 million deal in mind, per Metro, and Manchester United registered their interest at the start of the month too, per B/R's Dean Jones. Now Tottenham have thrown their hat into the ring, per The Daily Mail.

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Undoubtedly, the stepping-stone strategy is working a treat.

The Brazilian has seven goals and five assists to his name this term—an impressive tally in isolation, but it becomes all the more admirable when you consider the context of Bordeaux's faltering season. On a run of five losses in six, and placed just three points off the drop, manager Jocelyn Gourvennec was sacked on Thursday having failed to steer the train back onto the tracks, per Sky Sports.

Losing Malcom at this stage would be disastrous; he's the X-factor in their attack, adding more than a touch of class to what is otherwise a hard-working, technically limited team. But his departure is a real possibility, and if it doesn't happen this month, it almost certainly will in the summer. He's too good for Bordeaux.

Anyone who has watched highlights of Malcom in the wake of his transfer links will be well aware of his greatest strength: long-range shooting. Eight of his 18 Bordeaux goals have come from 18 yards out or further, with the longest coming against Dijon in December, from a whopping 45 yards.

A set-piece specialist, too, any free-kick or corner earned on the right side goes to Malcom (Gourvennec liked inswingers from both flanks). He's stumped an array of goalkeepers in France with his perfect placement of the ball, while his deliveries can at times cause problems.

It's important to note he doesn't just let fly whenever possible like the Cristiano Ronaldos of this world; his average of 2.2 shots per game is modest, and he's been more productive with his opportunities than most.

He's surprisingly team-oriented given how other-worldly he can be when taking aim himself. If he's closed down, he'll twist and turn away, then look to instigate one-twos with team-mates. He wants to up the tempo, pass and move, but he can get a little frustrated with his colleagues when they can't match his speed of thought.

One of his finest qualities is his eye for a reverse pass, slipping runners in at an angle that takes defensive lines out of the equation. Alexandre Mendy may not be the tidiest striker, but he makes his darting movement in the knowledge Malcom will find him. A particularly lovely goal was scored against Guingamp in September utilising this combination.

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Any midfielder or forward who flashes this ability receives a big tick from scouts.

Aside from defining attacking moments, Bordeaux use Malcom as a ball-carrier from deep to launch counter-attacks. Jonathan Cafu on the left mirrors his ability to dribble into space at speed and drag his team up the pitch, and together they draw Bordeaux out of their own third like a two-horse carriage.

Malcom's ability in the transitional phase has led to a slightly peculiar "defensive" role: He does not usually chase back or try to dispossess players on his flank, but he does follow them into Bordeaux territory. Hanging five or so yards behind, he looks for a team-mate to step up and intercept before passing to him quickly, allowing him to turn and run again.

He also takes up a specific patch when defending corners, staying away from the melee and instead sitting on the corner of the box, waiting for a cleared ball to land at his feet so he can spark a counter-attack.

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This strategy illustrates his more functional side. He can score golazos, pick passes, play one-twos and slip between the lines, but he can also cover big distances with the ball. Better yet, he does it using speed and good close control, rather than unnecessary flicks and Maradona turns.

Unsurprisingly, however, there are negatives to highlight. Malcom has flaws just like every other player, and right now they're quite pronounced.

His crossing is up and down (literally), with his cutting motion at times picking out a run perfectly, but at others looping over everyone. He's also one-footed, insisting on moving the ball onto his left at almost all times before taking action. Few can ever get away with that for too long.

He also messes up at times, making misjudgements, overcooking dribbles and giving the ball away when crossing the pitch, which sometimes results in dangerous counters. That he then won't break his neck to recover becomes, perhaps, a stick to beat him with.

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The move to Bordeaux has worked out so well because the pressure isn't sky-high; he is allowed to make these errors, to continue to grow as a player. He won't be dropped or booed when does. In fact, there's an audible cheer from the Matmut Atlantique crowd whenever he latches onto the ball, regardless of what he did with it last time.

The decision Malcom made in January 2016 turned out to be a masterstroke, and now he's nearing the next major step in his career ahead of schedule. He has strengths that managers of top clubs can't resist, plays a position that is hosting a strange transfer merry-go-round at the moment and boasts an affordable price tag.

No wonder so many sides are more than just a little interested in his services.

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