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Paulinho braces for El Clasico
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When Paulinho signed for Barcelona in August from Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande the deal was widely viewed with derision, with both fans and the media doubting the Brazilian had the quality to thrive at the Nou Camp.
The months since have seen his detractors eat humble pie.
Paulinho has earned his place in the Barcelona side and has become a crucial part of manager Ernesto Valverde鈥檚 system, meaning he is likely to line up against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in Saturday鈥檚 El Clasico.
With Neymar leaving for Paris Saint-Germain, a gap in the side opened up and although Ousmane Dembele was signed from Borussia Dortmund to fill it, the Frenchman鈥檚 hamstring injury has kept him sidelined.
Although Paulinho, a rugged box-to-box midfielder, does not occupy the same space on the pitch as wingers Neymar and Dembele, he has forced his way into the side.
Valverde has changed Barcelona鈥檚 formation from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2, with Paulinho鈥檚 presence giving the Catalans far greater defensive security, meaning Sergio Busquets does not have to do the midfield鈥檚 dirty work alone, and making them difficult to break down.
That does not mean the attacking threat has been badly diminished though, with Paulinho contributing six La Liga goals, more than any player at Real, including vaunted forwards Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
Paulinho, 29, who failed to make a mark at Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League and rejuvenated his career in China has been one of the revelations of the season.
鈥淚鈥檝e not come here to shut any mouths, but to work hard for the team, and that鈥檚 what I am doing,鈥 said Paulinho in November. Instead he has left them agape, forming an unlikely but profitable partnership with Lionel Messi which has been a big factor in Barcelona鈥檚 unbeaten start to the season.
The Argentine has enjoyed playing off Paulinho when he bursts forward from midfield to unsettle defenses, creating space for Barcelona鈥檚 legendary playmaker.
鈥淚 think that Paulinho is evolving and he is raising his level,鈥 said Brazil coach Tite, who will call on the midfield dynamo next year at the World Cup, barring injury.
If Paulinho can continue his excellent form against Real and help Barca open up a 14 point lead over its arch-rival, he will be one step closer to arriving in Russia with a La Liga winner鈥檚 medal around his neck.
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