Yahoo News Nottingham Forest star Murillo sets out his big dream amid growing transfer interest
Nottingham Forest ace Murillo is aiming high as he looks to establish himself as one of the very best defenders in the Premier League.
The 22-year-old has already made a big impact since his £11 million move to the City Ground from Corinthians little more than 12 months ago. He got his chance in the starting XI last October and hasn’t looked back since, establishing himself as one of the first names on the team sheet for the Reds.
His superb form and the way he has taken to English football has inevitably attracted admirers. There was plenty of talk about his future during the summer transfer window, and only this week Real Madrid emerged as the latest club to be keeping tabs on him.
Murillo, however, is determined to keep his feet on the ground amid all the speculation and is convinced he can get even better. It seems likely he will get snapped up at some point, but for now he is focused on improving with Forest.
“This is my second year as a professional, so I still have a lot to learn,” he told Premier League Brasil. “I think I'm on the right path, I just have to keep working hard so that, who knows, one day I can be among the top five defenders in the Premier League.”
In the short-term, Murillo hopes his performances for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will earn him a call-up for Brazil. The centre-back is said to have been included on a 45-man preliminary list for next month’s World Cup qualifiers, with boss Dorival Junior set to announce whether he has made the final cut today (Friday). Premier League Brasil report he is “expected” to get the nod.
“I don't know the main reason why I'm not going to the national team, but I think it's because of the great competition for positions,” Murillo said of missing out on recent national camps. “They are great players. I'm still calm and I hope to continue having an exceptional season this year and, when I have the opportunity, I'll make the most of it so I never leave.
“Today we see very qualified players defending the Brazilian national team. Especially in the defensive part, with Magalhaes, Beraldo, Militao, Marquinhos, Bremer, Fabricio Bruno.
“It is a very big competition, but I believe I am on the right track. I am playing well and, when you play well for your team, the national team starts to become more apparent.
“Perhaps the players here in Europe are a little more qualified or experienced because they play here (in Europe), which for me is real football, very fast and intense. I think that when a player manages to adapt here, he can perform better for the national team. I don't think it's just the fact of being in the Premier League, it's also about the dedication and commitment.”
