With regard to centerbacks, Tomás Araújo might be an interesting option, as long as Benfica are reasonable with their demands.
Not as intense or robust as someone like Murillo (who should also be under consideration, as long as Nottingham Forest are willing to listen to sensible offers), but very few are as skilled on the ball, as inventive, or in possession of comparable field vision. In theory, a decent fit as the right centerback who is tasked with expertly progressing the ball through the half-spaces (as a passer or as a carrier). Perhaps young Yoyo could be the one who organizes the defense, and battens down the hatches with his athleticism and 6'4" frame... but also steps into midfield, as the central centerback?
The right centerback and left centerback positions are quite tricky. You have players who are exceptional athletes but not difference-makers in possession. And conversely, players who are difference-makers in possession but not exceptional athletes (Tomás is touch and go for this category from a Premier League perspective). What we will need, if not now then in 1-2 years, are wide centerbacks who inhabit the goldilocks zone (i.e. exceptional athletes and proper difference-makers in possession). Arsenal recently snapped up two of these rare pokémon in Calafiori and Timber, so the current mercato is somewhat depleted and we got our work cut out for us.
Not as intense or robust as someone like Murillo (who should also be under consideration, as long as Nottingham Forest are willing to listen to sensible offers), but very few are as skilled on the ball, as inventive, or in possession of comparable field vision. In theory, a decent fit as the right centerback who is tasked with expertly progressing the ball through the half-spaces (as a passer or as a carrier). Perhaps young Yoyo could be the one who organizes the defense, and battens down the hatches with his athleticism and 6'4" frame... but also steps into midfield, as the central centerback?
The right centerback and left centerback positions are quite tricky. You have players who are exceptional athletes but not difference-makers in possession. And conversely, players who are difference-makers in possession but not exceptional athletes (Tomás is touch and go for this category from a Premier League perspective). What we will need, if not now then in 1-2 years, are wide centerbacks who inhabit the goldilocks zone (i.e. exceptional athletes and proper difference-makers in possession). Arsenal recently snapped up two of these rare pokémon in Calafiori and Timber, so the current mercato is somewhat depleted and we got our work cut out for us.