Nottingham Forest news from Nottingham shireLive, including a young Brazilian who was rewarded for his efforts in the Crystal Palace tie.
things may be the international break for Premier League players, but Nottingham Forest’s Murillo isn’t taking things easy.
The 21-year-old summer transfer from Brazilian club Corinthians has made an immediate impact in his two Forest debuts, against Brentford last week and Crystal Palace yesterday. In fact, he came within a whisker of scoring a winner for Steve Cooper’s men at Selhurst Park.
And, despite being impressed with his efforts in the Garibaldi Red so far, the Forest manager claimed after the 0-0 draw in the capital that he had more training planned for the kids while his team-mates are away on international duty. “We know he’s a talent,” Cooper told Sky Sports, “but I just wanted to take a little bit of time before I put him in the team, and I wanted it to be at home, which was last week.”
“So, he’s 21, learning the language, learning about the country, but he’s a super boy.” Nobody should get carried away, but he’s a very tremendous talent, and we’re having a great time working with him. I’ve had some experience working with these young boys and providing them with opportunities as well as supporting them in those possibilities.
“Like I said, his attitude is really good; he commits to training every day and is very engaged in the learning that we do off the field as well.” And he’s off to a good start. He’s not going away on international duty, so we can keep working with him and build on what he’s showed here today.”
Morgan Gibbs-White clipped the inside of the home keeper’s post with a side-foot volley from Murillo’s long ball on 20 minutes, and the youngster then demonstrated that he is more than just a defensive presence by going close twice in three minutes of added time to ensure the game remained goalless at halftime.
“Obviously, he’s playing at the back, but you see him being a real asset going forward as well, which is what we want,” Cooper added. He ended up with perhaps the game’s best chance as a result of something incredible, going on a dribble and having only the goalie in front of him eight or nine yards out.
“You know, Morello will catch the eye with the possession stuff.” But I was equally happy with him when he was not in possession, with the headers and blocks and positioning and game reading, because it is so crucial with the current centre-backs in this league.
“So to be doing it at his age and so early on is remarkable.
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