Who is Nazinho, Monaco’s new Portuguese full-back with explosive pace? | OneFootball

Flavio Nazinho, Monaco’s first summer signing, has quickly underlined his forward thrust in pre-season. According to Nice-Matin, he faces former club Cercle Brugge at La Turbie at 17:00 on Friday 31 July, behind closed doors.

The 23-year-old arrived from Cercle for €5 million on a four-year deal and can operate in a back three or four, though he looks most natural as a wing-back for compatriot coach Filipe Luis.

Last season he produced three goals and seven assists in 32 Jupiler Pro League games, ranking among Belgium’s most decisive players and second for chances created behind Christos Tzolis.

A Cercle staff member lauded his pace, saying he was among the quickest and has been clocked at 36 or 37 km/h. He was preselected by Roberto Martinez for Portugal’s seniors last year, though Carlos Forbs was ultimately preferred.

A former team-mate described a polished-up rough diamond with a clean strike from distance and on free-kicks. Defensive moments can be trickier, but recovery speed often bails him out.

He likes to defend on the front foot and looks safer with centre-back cover, yet must rein in emotions after 14 needless bookings last season. The aborted switch to Real Betis, after the club could not offload Ricardo Rodriguez, initially hurt, but he channelled it and is working on a taciturn streak. Inspired by Nuno Mendes and in touch with Rafael Leao, he hopes Monaco becomes a springboard.

Source: Nice-Matin