Globo Esporte has recently revealed that Manchester City are hoping to buyback Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz this summer. It is understood that Man City boss Pep Guardiola could activate a clause that would allow him to re-sign the Brazilian midfield ace for £25m during this summer transfer period.
Luiz’s Dominant Spell At Villa Park Last Season
The Rio de Janeiro-born player enjoyed a solid debut season at Villa Park as he produced a run of commanding displays at the heart of Dean Smith’s midfield. He managed to contribute offensively by scoring three goals and providing two assists in 42 matches for the Villans in the previous campaign across various competitions.
The 22-year-old has shown that he can influence the game at both ends of the field after averaging 1.3 tackles, 1.0 interceptions, 1.3 clearances, 1.1 shots and 0.9 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season. He even managed to distribute the ball well and completed 82.6% of his attempted passes in the English top-flight (stats via whoscored).
Luiz’s contributions both in offence and in defence helped the West Midlands outfit avoid relegation by a hair’s breadth on the last day of the 2019-20 league campaign. The one-time Brazil international has established himself as a top performer for Villa, which has enhanced his reputation in English football.
What Are The Brazilian International’s Best Attributes?
Luiz is an all-around midfield talent who can make himself a nuisance for the opposition at the centre of the park. He loves to go in for tackles and has got the tenacity to secure possession back for his team. The Brazilian sensation can also sense the danger quickly that propels him to pull off some essential clearances at the back. To the surprise of many, the Aston Villa first-teamer has managed to score and set-up his fair share of goals from midfield, which could be one of the many reasons why a top club like Man City are hoping to land him this summer.
Is Luiz Good Enough To Succeed At The Etihad Stadium?
Luiz has shown plenty of signs of his progress and maturity at Villa Park over the past 12 months. He has proved his doubters wrong by establishing himself as a regular feature in the Premier League last season.
The promising youngster will add some bite and steel to Pep Guardiola’s midfield and provide some serious competition for Rodri, Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho and Tommy Doyle for a holding midfield place at the north-west of England.
At 22, Luis is likely to get better with each season, but the League Cup champions would need to stay patient if they are to get the best out of him in the years to come. With all things considered, the Brazilian is more than capable of assuming a back-up role in Guardiola’s match-day squad, but whether he can challenge for a regular first-team spot at the Etihad Stadium remains to be seen.
