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Barcelona midfielder Paulinho is an animal and will prove doubters wrong - Denis Suarez
PAULINHO is a beast and those who know football can recognise his talents according to Barcelona team-mate Denis Suarez.
Paulinho celebrates with his Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Denis Suarez
Suarez has come out in defence of the midfielder following widespread criticism following his €40million move from Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League.
The Brazilian international had two tricky years at Tottenham, but has been a mainstay recently for his national team and is continuing to rebuild his reputation following a steady start at the Now Camp.
“I like to watch football and I’ve seen Paulinho playing for Brazil, where he’s demonstrated what he is,” explained Denis.
“He’s a physical player who gives us a lot on a defensive level because he’s so strong. And going forward he adds a lot, too, because he makes those runs into the box, as we saw against Getafe. And then he’s an animal at set pieces, he’s incredible.
Denis Suarez against Eibar
He’s proving the level he’s at and the importance he can have on the team
“He’s been unfairly criticised, above all because since the moment he arrived, which was just after Neymar left, but anyone who’s seen the Brazil national team knows he’s not a mediocre player.
“I don’t think it was necessary for him to shut any mouths. He’s proving the level he’s at and the importance he can have on the team.”
Suarez was talking to Spanish radio station RAC1.
29-year-old Paulinho has scored twice for Barcelona in five league games so far and has started the last two matches as the Catalan giants sit top of La Liga with six wins from six.
Barcelona face Sporting Lisbon tomorrow night, and will be looking repeat the showing that saw them beat Juventus 3-0 last time out. Olympiakos make up the group.