The Brazilian market is becoming a focus for Premier League recruitment, in the belief that there is great value in buying young. Nottingham Forest have reaped the rewards of diligent scouting and investment in players with immense potential from the country.
Danilo was the first to arrive in January 2023, from Palmeiras, and was joined six months later by Murillo, from Corinthians. Spending £10m on the then 20-year-old centre-back who had just ticked into double figures for career appearances was a gamble but he has turned into one of the best defenders in the Premier League and is a key reason why Forest sit third.
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Murillo is robust and intelligent, eager to take the ball out from the back, and has ambitions to score a wonder strike from 40 yards. Now 22, the Brazilian’s qualities were apparent from early in his Premier League career, initially under Steve Cooper, but being paired by Nuno Espírito Santo with Nikola Milenkovic since the start of this season has allowed him to flourish, earning him a first Brazil call-up.
“He wasn’t in the team a lot when I was there,” says the former Forest defender Joe Worrall. “Cooper was quite reluctant to play him – I don’t know why because he’s a super talent. It was me, Scott McKenna, a few not older players but lads who’ve been and played the game sort of thing, and Murillo’s come for £10m from Brazil and lots of flicking, training and a Cruyff turn and stuff – very much how he is now.”
It feels as if Murillo is the embodiment of Forest’s evolution since their top-flight return, the club going from dependable players or expensive flops to elite talents. Confidence has clearly never been a problem for him. He embraces the challenge of trying to stop players such as Alexander Isak, whom he will come up against on Sunday at Newcastle, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah.
“If you watched him in training you’d think he’s a No 10,” says Worrall, who joined Burnley in the summer. “You’d go: ‘No way is he a centre-back,’ because obviously he’s a stocky lad. He weighs more than me; he’s probably like 15st. He’s a big lad but he’s not the tallest and he’s just so silky with his feet. He’s just a really, really good football player – left-footed, which obviously helps him a lot because it’s easier on the eye and there’s less of them.”
Forest have one of the league’s meanest defences, laying the foundation for an unlikely challenge for a Champions League place. Every member of the squad has played their part but the strength of the backline has bred confidence throughout the team. Nuno likes to play on the counter and that requires immaculate defensive discipline. It helps that Murillo plays on the front foot and can make challenges and interceptions at the right time before instigating an attack.
The day job is defending but Murillo will be somewhat disappointed to have only one career goal. He loves being adventurous and attempting the odd piledriver from distance. Other clubs have taken an interest.
Worrall says: “He’s quick, strong, can head it, reads danger really well. I think that’s something that you watch for with players who are good with the ball who play centre-back. They dribble with it and they pass it and whatever but can they defend? He can read danger. He’s in the right place at the right time. It’s no fluke – he just knows, it’s something that he’s checking. He’s worth well north of £50m in my eyes. It’ll be a travesty if Forest let him go for a penny less.”
If Forest are to maintain a top-four spot, Murillo’s continued good form will be imperative. After 25 games he has the second-most clearances (152) in the Premier League, a number that backs up the praise he has received. He and Milenkovic have a harmonious partnership, complementing one another’s qualities perfectly. The Serb is superb in the air and Murillo is quick across the ground, giving opponents conundrums to solve if they are to break through. Murillo also has a great understanding with the left-back Neco Williams, with whom he works closely to mitigate any potential balls into the channels as teams look to catch them out.
“Murillo is an amazing talent,” Worrall says. “One thing I can say is he’s a real good kid and he’s someone who works hard in training. He’s a fighter and clearly knows what it takes to get to the level because he’s performing at it now – he’s no fluke. He’s a really strong character and someone who has taken that leap of faith to come over from South America to Europe.
“He’s brought his family over with him and his girlfriend and everything that’s happened in his life, it must be quite a good time for him at the minute. I’d just like to see him score from the halfway line. That’d top it off because he’s tried a few times.” Worrall is not alone in wishing for that, but seeing Murillo in the Champions League would make up for not seeing him burst the net.
