And during his single campaign with Espanyol in 2022-23? You guessed it. The Brazilian was numero uno in La Liga too.
“Defensively, Vini is head and shoulders above the rest,” said the former Burnley midfielder Steven Defour, who coached Souza at Belgian side Mechelen in 2021-22. “He breaks down an incredible number of attacks.”
Those destructive instincts were first spotted by veteran Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus, who immediately promoted Souza to the first team upon his arrival at Flamengo in 2019.
Asked why, he drew comparisons with Nemanja Matic, the former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder with whom he’d won a domestic treble at Benfica.
Similar sentiments were expressed when, after just eight appearances for the Brazilian giants, Souza joined Lommel for 2.5m euros.
Oddly, he rarely featured for the Belgian second-tier side, spending his second season on loan at Mechelen and his third at Espanyol before making a £10m move to Bramall Lane following the Blades’ promotion to the Premier League in 2023.
But he did come up against Scotland international Lawrence Shankland, who spent a season in Belgium with Beerschot in 2021-22.
Denne historien er fra October 20, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 20, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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NOLAN BIDS TO GIVE THE COBBLERS A REBOOT
NEW Northampton boss Kevin Nolan says restoring shattered confidence is his first priority at Sixfields.
'INCREDIBLE” MAGPIES HIT DONS HARD
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100-UP HERO COOKS VALE
ANDY Cook was saluted by both managers after the Bradford striker scored a goal-of-the season contender in the Bantams' victory over Port Vale.
SUPER STAGS HUNT DOWN SORRY POSH
NIGEL Clough saluted his rampant Stags as Mansfield Nuted blew Peterborough away at London Road.
FLETCHER SPOT ON TO DEFEAT POOL & LEAVE BRUCE FUMING
STEVE Bruce slammed referee Ruebyn Ricardo for awarding Wrexham a late penalty against his Blackpool side from which they produced the winner.
LAMPARD HAS ROO FEELING SO SKY BLUE
FRANK Lampard admitI ted he has great sympathy with what counterpart Wayne Rooney is going through at Plymouth after their first managerial clash ended with a thumping Coventry triumph.
THORUP DELIGHT AS CITY BOUNCE BACK
NORWICH head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup will be looking to make it a Christmas double when his side entertain QPR today.
BULLISH EDWARDS DEFENDS HATTERS
'We did deserve a point'
Cullen brace sets a mark for Luke
LUKE Williams hailed a near-perfect performance by his Swansea side against QPR and hopes they can repeat the feat versus Luton today.
WARNE: WIN WILL GIVE US A BOOST
PAUL Warne admits his Derby side's win over West Brom will give them a much-needed boost as they prepare to host table-topping Leeds United this evening.
