Nottingham Forest star Danilo is quickly becoming a hit with the supporters and he’s now making a mockery of a Steve Cooper call from earlier this season.
The Reds’ head coach has done a wealth of good since arriving at Forest. However, one call he made over Danilo now looks a little foolish.
After he played for 58 minutes of a 1-1 draw against Manchester City in February, he then didn’t play for four matches in the Premier League.
He was on the bench for games against West Ham, Tottenham and Newcastle, whilst he didn’t even make the squad against Everton.
The £16 million signing from Palmeiras has now scored three goals and claimed one assist during his last four outings for the team.
He’s benefitted from playing regular football and ultimately, Cooper might have wished he’d stuck by him when he first arrived in England.
Forest didn’t win any of the games that Danilo missed and perhaps not giving him a chance two months ago will go down as a mistake.
In recent weeks, Danilo has been sensational. He’s been chipping in with goals and on Monday he also got himself an assist too.
His all-round play has been magnificent and there is more to come from the talented youngster.
Danilo quickly becoming a Forest hit
Some statistics from Sofa Score showcase just how utterly brilliant Danilo was on Monday against Southampton.
The player won five ground duels against the Saints to go alongside his one key pass and the three tackles that he made for his team.
Danilo was only dribbled by on one occasion and also completed 20 of his 26 passes on the night.
At 21, the player really does have the world at his feet right now and Forest signing him on a six-year contract looks like a stroke of genius.
Danilo now has the full faith of Cooper and perhaps the head coach is rueing his decision not to unleash him on the team earlier.