Who is Sheffield United linked Danilo Barbosa? | OneFootball

What’s better than one Brazilian defensive midfielder? Two Brazilian defensive midfielders! Well, that seems to be the thinking of the Blades’ latest rumour reported by the Sheffield Star and the Sunday Mirror.

Danilo Barbosa (da Silva) is currently of interest to the Blades, Leeds United and Everton. His current club Botafogo are willing to sell to avoid him leaving for free in the summer. It is believed £2 million would be enough to buy him.

So, who is the defensive midfielder and what could he offer the Blades if he signs?

Youth Career and Pro Debut

Barbosa, 28, began playing football for Esporte Clube Vitoria before joining Vasco De Gama’s academy in 2011.

Before he made his professional debut for the club he was sold to Gestifute for €4.5 million. Gestifute are a Portuguese football agency founded by renowned agent Jorge Mendes. The deal saw Barbosa assigned to Braga, although his departure from Vasco de Gama would not occur until July 2014.

On 2 February 2014, he made his debut as a substitute in a win over his current club Botafogo.

In total he played six times for Vasco de Gama before joining Braga.

Moving to Portugal

Barbosa, as planned joined S.C. Braga. On 20 September 2014, he made his Braga debut starting against Nacional, playing the full match.

He scored his first career goal on 3 January 2015 against Maritimo. Then on 18 January, he scored again against Vitoria.

In his first season at the club Barbosa played 28 times for Braga scoring twice.

Loan to Valencia

(Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Bet you didn’t think we’d be talking about Gary Neville’s ill-fated time as a La Liga manager today. But here we are.

Neville was among four managers including Nuno Espirito Santo to manage Barbosa during his loan at Valencia.

Barbosa joined the Spanish Club in July 2015 and was handed his debut by Espirito Santo on 22 August.

He played 34 times for Valencia contributing three assists. He also started Neville’s final game as manager. A 2-0 defeat to Celta Vigo on 20 March 2016. Interestingly, playing in a 4-2-3-1 similar to Chris Wilder’s current formation.

Two loans in one season

In July 2016, Braga sent Barbosa on loan to reigning Primeira Liga Champions, Benfica.

He scored on his Benfica debut against 1° de Dezembro as Benfica won 2-1.

He played four more times for Benfica. However, he would leave the club highly decorated. His five appearances earnt him a Primeira Liga title, the Taça de Portugal, and the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. The equivalent of the Premier League, FA Cup, and the Community Shield.

His loan with Benfica came to an end during the season and he was loaned to Standard Liege. He played six times in Belgium starting just two games.

A final season with Braga

In his final season at Braga, Barbosa made 46 appearances for the Portuguese club. These appearances included six matches in the Europa League.

Statistically, Barbosa contributed 4 goals and 5 assists for Braga. In total during his time at Braga, Barbosa played 74 times scoring six goals and getting 7 assists.

A Nice move to France

Barbosa finally left Braga permanently in 2018 signing for Ligue 1 side Nice. Then 22, Barbosa became Nice’s first summer signing of the 2018-2019 season.

In four years at Nice, Barbosa played 50 times scoring once. During his first two seasons, he played a decent amount 24 and 20 times respectively.

However, a loan to Palmeiras in 2021, saw him make just six appearances in his final two years with Nice.

In the 2021 Brazil season, Barbosa scored once and assisted twice for Palmeiras. The 30 games he played was also his most since departing Braga in 2018. Whilst, at Palmeiras, Barbosa won the 2021 Copa Libertadores (the South American UCL).

The loan may have also tempted Botafogo into a move for the midfielder.

Returning to Brazil permanently

With what we now, Barbosa’s return to Brazil with Botafogo in August 2022 was a smart one.

He has played 96 games for Botafogo so far scoring seven goals and getting two assists.

Whilst, he played six times in the 2022 season, Barbosa’s two full seasons with the club would transform his reputation.

In the 2023 season, Barbosa and Botafogo won the Taça Rio (the Rio Cup). The club’s eighth time winning the cup.

However, the 2024 season was insane for Botafogo. Barbosa and his teammates won the club’s ninth Taça Rio, the Copa Libertadores and the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. Or in simple terms a treble.

During this achievement, Barbosa played 48 times scoring three goals and getting an assist. It is safe to say, the decision to potentially let him leave won’t have been an easy one for Botafogo.

Last season statistically

Whilst, the Championship and the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A aren’t exactly rife with comparable details. Here is how Danilo Barbosa performed last season.

Defensively, Barbosa won 75.9% of his tackles and 54.6% of his duels. His tackles won percentage put him in the 89th percentile among the best defensive midfielders in the Brazilian top flight.

In possession, Barbosa completed 68.4% of his total dribbles and was fouled 17 times with one challenge leading to a Botafogo penalty.

One of his weaker areas statistically is his passing. Whilst, he has an impressive 83.8% pass accuracy, the percentage places him in the 42nd percentile. Placing Barbosa among the lower average defensive midfielders in Brazil for pass accuracy.

Plus his chances created (7) puts him in the 37th percentile. This suggests he is currently not the player to sign to help the Blades increase progressive passes.

Although, as mentioned before, he has seven league goal contributions in his two seasons with Botafogo. This suggests he has the ability to contribute to attacks through goalscoring.

Takeaways

Ultimately, Barbosa has had an interesting career. He clearly has a large array of experience which could be vital to a young Blades squad.

Where he is lacking is a lack of English league experience. Although, that hasn’t stopped Souza from taking the Championship by storm.

It is also worth noting that if he’s good enough for Everton or Leeds. There is clearly a player worth signing for the Championship’s top end or Premier League’s bottom sides.

For a potential price of £2 million, there are worse players to go for. Plus his recent success in Brazil suggests whoever signs him is getting a player full of confidence and momentum.