Nuno Espirito Santo and Murillo have already built a brilliant bond at Nottingham Forest, but there are a few things the managers still wants him to improve.
Murillo has been at the club for over a year now, but he only really started to catch the eye in the current campaign after an inspired start to the season.
Nottingham Forest have relied heavily on the partnership of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic at centre-back, which has seen the Reds secure the second best defence in the Premier League.
Jamie Carragher said that Murillo has reached cult hero status at Nottingham Forest, and he’s not wrong.
However, Nuno Espirito Santo is trying to keep him grounded as he recently shared a few honest words on the central defender.
Nuno Espirito Santo makes honest admission on Murillo
Murillo even had European giants Real Madrid watching him against Newcastle, who are one of a few teams interested in the Brazilian.
And there have been suggestions that Murillo could fetch a world record fee for a central defender, which would need to be above the £80m paid for Harry Maguire.
There’s no doubt Murillo is of huge importance to Nuno and Nottingham Forest, but the Portuguese boss recently shared that there are many things to improve on.
Speaking to ESPN, he said this.
“I’m very happy because I knew it was something Murillo really wanted, he really wants to represent Brazil, it’s one of the main goals of his career and he’s almost there. But thanks to the effort he’s made here since he arrived, his progress has been incredible.
“A lot of talent, a lot of talent. I’m suspicious because I’m very fond of him… a star. I’m sure that the time will come for him to play for the Brazil national team, but there are still many things to improve on. But the talent is there.”
“It’s very close [the relationship]. He’s a player and a person with incredible ambition. He realises that it’s very difficult on your own, but with help all our talent comes to the fore.
“I think the arrival of Nikola has helped a lot because the duo’s complicity fits, they’re characteristics that complement each other. Speaking individually about Murillo, too much talent, if it’s too much, can be detrimental. You need to find that balance and Murillo is finding it.”
Murillo’s partner in crime at Nottingham Forest
Nikola Milenkovic has been equally impressive, if not more impressive after joining for just £12 million in the summer transfer window.
Don Hutchinson says Milenkovic is the signing of the season, and we can’t blame him for that judgement as no one expected him to have as bigger impact as he has.
Alan Shearer has also named Milenkovic in his Premier League Team of the Season so far.
The only negative to his fine performances is the fact that Newcastle already have their eyes on him.
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