No white text? He was better in the second half, but I still wouldn't shed a tear if we bought in another starter to replace him, he constantly makes me nervous. The thing is the people who like Fred REALLY like him on here and the praise is a bit overblown at times, the post above a perfect example.
Your post is exactly why we need more posts like the one above you, because he might never get any recognition otherwise. What exactly makes you nervous about him? he's one of the most press resistant players in the team, winning most of his 50-50s. Very tidy and quick thinker, playing some great quick through balls to start most of our attacks. He presses very hard and puts us on the front foot way earlier and so we can attack into open defences, compared to the "safe" approach waiting for a mistake and then slowly attack into full defence. Certainly against a very compact team you don't need a sluggish team in defence and attack. That's when player like Fred steps in and comes in handy.
But like someone mentioned in his player performance thread, one little mistake and you're on his back, thinking like he's unreliable. Reminds me that nonsensical bias against Rafael. Some people will claim now he was a rash player, red card to happen etc. While he was very consistent defender for us in those two seasons only to suffer from injuries too much so he was sold. Energetic and aggressive doesn't mean bad, quite the opposite and often the only way for top flight football.
You certainly didn't feel nervous when Matic gave the ball twice away in dangerous positions in midfield as did VdB, playing often "too fast" one two football playing difficult passes for his teammates to receive ball in difficult positions or giving the ball away directly dangerously on the other occasion. Wake the hell up people and show some consistent measures.
If Fred was English he would be already recognized one of the best midfielders in the league. Yes 50mil is a steal. You get a very consistent 8.5-9/10 player CDM/CM/defensive minded b2b who gives his all in every game on top of that yet people overlook him because of some stereotypes or inability judge a player in his position.
He would easily start for City and replace Fernandinho who himself is a brilliant player not getting enough recognition, he'd start for Liverpool in their midfield full of energetic style instead of Wijnaldum for sure. He would start for PSG, the same way Herrera when fit is starting ahead of Verratti because he offers that balance and intelligence.
He's a more polished and technical version of Kante with being as good defensively just too far away to (some 3/4 players and perhaps a more experienced/progressive coach) make us consistently challenge for throphies which would inevitably lead to recognize his value at last.