Half or side? Marcelo’s position at Fluminense was not defined in the negotiation and the choice will be Fernando Diniz

After 16 years playing in European football, Marcelo is back at Fluminense. The tricolor announced the return of the left-back, who ended his contract with Olympiacos, from Greece, and is the eighth reinforcement confirmed for 2023. But the big question asked by fans is obvious: will he be a left-back like he was at Real Madrid or will he come to the midfield how did he act in Greece?

The decision will be exclusively made by coach Fernando Diniz and there is nothing, either verbally or in a contract, that indicates whether the athlete will be a left-back or a midfielder. However, initially his arrival aims to fill an existing gap on the side, the big problem for the tricolor squad for this season. It should be noted that Jorge tore the cruciate ligament in his right knee.

It is worth remembering that Marcelo’s arrival is not linked to Jorge’s injury, since the adjustment was made days before the former Palmeiras athlete was out of action.

In an interview with “Seleção Sportv”, Fluminense’s planning director Fred said that the idea is for the athlete to play as a winger, his original position. However, he avoided making any decision.

— Marcelo’s origins are on the wing, we know the refined technique he has and we know that Diniz gives freedom to athletes. He comes from the side, but anything can happen, largely due to his quality – said Fred.

Another question that Marcelo will have to answer is about his physical condition. He was criticized by Olympiacos fans for not being able to have the same intensity as he did at Real Madrid. He also suffered from injuries in the final stretch of his stint. There he played ten games and scored three goals. To the tricolor board, he admitted that he did not fully adapt to Greece and needed to feel good again to play football. Fluminense was a path.

Since 2019, the number of matches Marcelo played regularly has dropped by almost half. At his physical peak, he played more than 30 games in La Liga. In recent years, participation has decreased by around 50%, both in Espanyol and in the Champions League. In the tight calendar of Brazilian football, the agenda is of paramount importance.

Raised in futsal at the club and in Xerém, Marcelo became a professional in 2005, when he won the Carioca title and was elected the best left-back in the Brasileirão the following year.

Eight signing of the season, Marcelo joins goalkeeper Vitor Eudes, right-back Guga, defender Vitor Mendes, left-back Jorge, midfielders Giovanni e Lima and striker Keno. Santos midfielder Gabriel Pirani will be announced soon.