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.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 20, 2024-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
BLADES HARNESS THEIR EMOTIONS
CHRIS Wilder reflected on an emotional afternoon which saw tributes paid to former player George Baldock, who passed away earlier this month, as his Sheffield United side beat Stoke City.
DRAGONS HAVE PLENTY OF PUFF!
Dan has faith in squad...
McCANN HAILS HIS ROVERS AS HERO HURST STEALS SHOW
GRAHAM McCann called Kyle Hurst “a joy to watch” after his Doncaster Rovers side’s victory at Valley Parade.
MATT'S FINISH EARNS POINT IN LAST-GASP PEN DRAM
CHARLTON boss Nathan Jones broke his habit of not watching penalties as Matty Godden converted in the 97th-minute to salvage a draw against Wrexham.
TON-UP CARRICK BOYS TO KEEP
AT CARROW Road this afternoon, Michael Carrick will take charge of his 101st game as Middlesbrough manager.
THREE MOORE POINTS -JUST
PORT VALE manager Darren Moore praised the “mentality change” from the club’s supporters as his side held on to beat AFC Wimbledon and extend their lead at the top of the League Two table.
SUPER SUBS HELP COOK TURN UP HEAT
CHESTERFIELD boss Paul Cook said the strength of his squad was the difference as three of his substitutes scored second-half goals against struggling Morecambe.
SKY BLUES' LATE RALLY HAS MARK 'HUMBLED'
MARK Robins claimed his Coventry team were thoroughly deserved winners after his side completed a spectacular comeback to win against ten-man Luton Town.
CASPER HAUNTS THE SWANS ONCE AGAIN
CASPER De Norre struck a dramatic 90th-minute winner for Millwall as Swansea’s Championship goal drought continued.
Eustace's rage over penalty winner
BLACKBURN boss John Eustace blasted referee Darren England for a “disappointing” penalty decision which handed Watford a narrow victory.
