With Danilo confirmed as Nottingham Forest’s 24th signing since promotion, many fans may be curious on what the Brazilian midfielder will add to the side.
For a €20M fee, the deal comes with some risk for Danilo, as this will see him switch from the comforts of his boyhood club Palmeiras to a Forest side battling the unpredictable storms the Premier League brings.
Despite being just 21 years of age, the midfielder has racked up a remarkable number of appearances, playing 50 times in 2022 and making 141 senior appearances for the club.
Reliable may be the word for Danilo, who has decent ability in all areas of his game and has been a staple of the midfield since upgrading from youth level.
Turning 22 at the end of April, the left footed midfielder is more comfortable in a deeper role and will essentially provide hungry, youthful competition to Remo Freuler, Ryan Yates and Orel Mangala.
Energy is another word for Danilo, who finds himself occupying many areas of the deeper midfield, especially on the right hand side despite being left footed.
The midfielder doesn’t typically break position, rarely occupying any space in the final third for Palmeiras which is demonstrated by the heatmap below, but his confidence in the middle of the park at such a young age is remarkable.
He has lifted the league and domestic cup and featured in the team of the season for 2022, making a move to the Premier League fairly deserved.
Occupying at the base of a 4-2-3-1 for Palmeiras, his aggressiveness and resilience, no matter the score or minute of the game, means the midfielder can be regarded as a magnet to the ball.
The physicality of Premier League football has challenged many players coming from abroad but this is an aspect Danilo thrives in, and if he is edged into the team he will sure bring some flare and passion into the end of matches.
Channelling that aggressiveness and ensuring no rash challenges are made is important, and something manager Steve Cooper will definitely be aware of, but it is the flare and passion that should excite players and fans alike.
An aspect of Danilo’s game that will benefit Forest in particular is his ability to be a deadly nuisance in set pieces, constantly getting on the end of second balls, flick ons or scoring himself.
Most of his goals have come in and around the six yard box and we can probably expect Cooper to utilise his ability here too.
To no fault of their own, but due to the quality of other teams, Forest can become boxed in their own half, forcing counter attacks and rapid transitional play to create chances.
Danilo could be profound going forward for Forest due to his wide range passing ability, and confidence to switch play upfield even when under pressure.
Of course the step up to the Premier League is immense, and Danilo can’t be regarded as spectacular, but for the level of Nottingham Forest and his solid all round ability combined with his passion, the price tag and the need for youthful depth, this is an exciting addition.
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