On Sunday afternoon, Palmeiras midfielder Danilo Oliveira proved why he’s now one of the most exciting young talents in Brazilian football.
After missing out on the first leg of Campeonato Paulista’s final against São Paulo where his team were beaten 3-1, he was crucial in his side’s 4-0 win, having scored the opening goal and having an impressive display in their fantastic comeback.
Now the midfielder, who’s recently been linked to Arsenal, has a potential move to the Premier League being predicted by some of his teammates as well.
Interviewed by ESPN Brasil, Palmeiras star Dudu had a few words about Danilo, and pointed out the midfielder deserves to soon move to English football.
“For me, he’s a crack who needs to play in the Premier League,” Dudu told ESPN Brasil.
“I always tell him: ‘You have to play at Manchester United, at Arsenal. It’s at those clubs. But you have to be calm, you have to have your head in place.'”
“He’s a boy who gives his life, who plays, defends. And I always tell him: ‘You have to play in England. You’re a player to play at Arsenal, at Manchester, at Chelsea, at those teams’. Because he’s a player who helps, who marks, who arrives in the attack, who builds plays for the offensive midfielders, who helps in defending. I think for me, he is one of the complete players, defensive midfielders, that we have in Brazilian football. We’re lucky that we have him in our team.”
Danilo has been linked to Arsenal since January, when it was first claimed that the Gunners submitted a bid for his signing. Since then, the interest has been reported by various sources.
Despite being only 20, his résumé includes two Copa Libertadores and one Brazilian Cup already. A move to Europe now seems to be a matter of time, and even his teammates now acknowledge that.
