Palmeiras still seeking midfield anchor after Danilo’s exit | OneFootball

Since the departure of Danilo, who was transferred to Nottingham Forest at the beginning of 2023, Palmeiras has been dealing with a significant gap in its midfield: the number five shirt. The position, fundamental in Abel Ferreira’s style of play, still lacks an undisputed starter, and the current season has laid bare the club’s difficulty in finding a player who combines defensive consistency, quality in building from the back, and regularity.

The first attempt was internal. Zé Rafael, originally a more advanced midfielder, was moved back and spent almost a year playing as a makeshift defensive midfielder. Despite his effort, commitment, and some good performances, it became clear that he could not consistently replicate the impact Danilo had in the role—especially in terms of shielding the defense and the game’s dynamics.

In search of a definitive solution, Verdão went to the market and signed Aníbal Moreno. Expectations were high: the Argentine arrived with the status of a starter and the ideal profile to take on the number 5 shirt. However, Aníbal’s form fluctuated during his stint. He alternated between good moments and dips in performance, never established himself as a unanimous choice, and ended up being transferred to River Plate-ARG, frustrating the plans of the board and coaching staff.

Without a consolidated name, Abel Ferreira began working with alternatives. Emiliano Martínez was used as a squad player, filling the role in certain matches but without taking on a leading role. In more extreme situations, the coach even improvised by using center-back Bruno Fuchs in the position, highlighting the size of the problem and the lack of specific options in the squad.

The current scenario reinforces Palmeiras’ priority in the market: to find a midfielder who can come in as a starter, bring balance to the team, and allow the system to function at its best. Recently, according to NOSSO PALESTRA’s investigation, Verdão has shown interest in signing Fabinho, formerly of Liverpool-ENG.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.