The fitness of Murillo is giving Nottingham Forest an unwanted headache ahead of Sunday’s Premier League finale against Chelsea.
Nuno Espírito Santo will know that a win is required on Sunday for Forest to have a chance of achieving Champions League football, so injuries within the Forest squad are an unwanted hindrance.
Chiefly, Murillo’s fitness will be worrying Espírito Santo. Murillo seemed positive about his injury after coming off and then on again against West Ham last Sunday, but the Forest manager’s update in his press conference was less than ideal.
Nuno revealed that Murillo hadn’t trained ahead of Chelsea but stopped short of ruling him out, with one Reds expert now giving his thoughts on the Brazilian’s chances of featuring.
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Jon Hobley | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Nottingham Forest expert rates Murillo’s Chelsea chances
Murillo was initially injured against Crystal Palace and was a surprise inclusion against West Ham, with little known about his status in the buildup.
With the latest update on his ankle, Sunday may be too much for him, but The Athletic’s Paul Taylor still has hope for Murillo starting against Chelsea.
In a Q&A, Taylor said: “If we had to put 50p on it, my 50p would be on him [Murillo] playing this weekend. Even if he is not quite fully fit, it is the last game of the season and one that could have huge ramifications.
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“He is just such an important player for Forest. He’s been outstanding again. Murillo is another one of those players in the team who is just a joy to watch. And – with respect to Morato, who will prove to be a decent signing in the long-term – Forest look a lesser side when Murillo is not in the team.”
Taylor isn’t wrong to suggest that Forest look weaker without Murillo, which could lead to Espírito Santo mixing up his usual formation to compensate if the Brazilian cannot feature.
How Nottingham Forest could line up without Murillo
It’s fair to say that Morato hasn’t impressed Forest fans on a number of occasions this season, usually when he is asked to start a game rather than help see out a result coming off the bench.
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Morato and Nikola Milenkovic didn’t look to be a perfect pair against Leicester City at the City Ground, so perhaps Nuno will look at a different solution.
If he wants to stick with a four at the back, Morato or Willy Boly will probably be his best bets, but should Forest play five at the back, perhaps Zach Abbott could make another high-profile start.
Abbott impressed Espírito Santo in the FA Cup semi-final when featuring at right back, but is more naturally a central defender who could thrive alongside two other centre-backs.
Potentially replacing Murillo would be a brutal task for Nuno, one that may require him to think outside the box given Morato’s previous struggles.