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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Late last week it was reported that Aston Villa were on the verge of landing Manchester City’s Douglas Luiz.
Per The Telegraph, City and Villa had agreed a fee of £15m for the Brazilian who despite potentially joining permanently, will have a buyback clause put in the deal.
The newspaper specified that the 21-year-old has previously had work permit issues, meaning he had to leave the Manchester club on loan for Girona.
However, despite never appearing for Pep Guardiola’s first team, he starred at times in La Liga last term.
On the chalkboard
Villa have been in the market for a host of defensive midfielders this summer with Kalvin Phillips seemingly top of their list.
However, they’ve also been targeting Club Brugge’s Marvelous Nakamba and Angers’ Baptiste Santamaria.
Yet, Douglas arguably seems one of the most attractive in the way he plays out of all of them. Capable defensively, winning 1.5 tackles per game, he also made 1 dribble on average per match.
It’s in the big games where he had a huge difference last term and it’s arguably an area that Villa fans can look forward to him performing to a high standard in most.
In 2018/19, Douglas struggled for consistency at times but he saved two of his star performances for against the might of Real Madrid and Sevilla.
Against the former, he was simply outstanding in a shock 2-1 win for Girona.
Playing in front of the back four, he ended the match with a pass percentage of 91%, made five dribbles, one tackle, a solitary interception and three clearances.
His all-round game was in evidence as he also managed a shot on goal, too.
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Versus Sevilla, meanwhile, Douglas made four successful challenges, completed two dribbles whilst also making the same number of clearances and interceptions as they won 1-0 in April.
In the Premier League next season, the Villans could have a number of tough games where they resort to soaking up the pressure.
Villa are a passing team after completing 79.8% of them as a team on average in the Championship last season, so he would fit the bill in that regard, but as far as big games go he also looks extremely solid.