Douglas Luiz is performing at his finest and most consistent level since signing for the club. Is it the Unai Emery effect, the blossoming partnership with Boubarcar Kamara, the new deal, or does he just simply feel at home?
WORK PERMITS, LOANS, & ISOLATION!
At the tender age of 19, Douglas Luiz departed from Vasco Da Gama, and his native Brazil, to sign for Manchester City; work permit issues meant Luiz didn’t play a competitive match during his time at the club and was loaned out to Spainish side Girona twice during his two-season stay between 2017-2019.
Luiz then signed for Aston Villa in a reported £15 million deal but work permit issues still loomed over the young Brazilian (Luiz needing to appear in 75% of games to maintain his permit to stay). The deal also included an option for Manchester City to re-sign the Brazilian for a set fee at the end of the second season – basically a glorified loan deal: if he does well and acquires a work permit, we’ll buy him back.
In our first home game back in the Premier League, Luiz introduced himself to the Villa Park faithful with an outrageous long-range strike in front of the Holte End. Later that season, after collecting a Carabao Cup Runners-up medal, COVID-19 stuck, curtailing the season, and Douglas Luiz was plunged into isolation. He made good use of his time in lockdown, returning to Project Restart in fine form to play a key role in Aston Villa’s (underrated) great escape.
LIMBO LAND!
The positive vibe from survival fuelled Villa’s momentum into the new season, with the club winning the first four games, including a 7-2 home win over title holders Liverpool. Villa’s strong start and form leading up to the New Year drew attention, and the question of whether Manchester City would exercise their buy-back option lingered throughout the second half of the season.
International recognition followed, a call-up and debut for the Brazilian national side, before winning gold at the 2020 Summer Olympics Men’s Football.
The buy-back clause agreement deadline expired with no bid coming in from Manchester City. Douglas Luiz could now concentrate on Aston Villa and possibly feel settled in B6. But, talks of a new contract failed to materialise, and after a disastrous start to the season, Dean Smith was fired and replaced by Steven Gerrard.
Under Gerrard, Luiz was used in a variety of positions, beginning in the eight position, and excelling. Before moving into the lone holding six position (not exactly his game). He was never able to gain momentum in a single position, but remained professional and did an competent job out of his natural positional role.
Summer then concludes with no new deal in place – only 12 months left until expiry!
A NEW DEAL & THE DOUBLE PIVOT
Another sketchy start to the season and this time it is Gerrard facing the axe; Luiz with no new deal in place has been used sparingly, despite showing, when offered, a great link-up with new arrival Boubarcar Kamara, and an eye for a direct goal from a corner: scoring away in the Carabao Cup against Bolton, and then again against Arsenal at the Emirates.
After that Arsenal fixture – a 2-1 away defeat – they submitted (on deadline day) a £25 million pound offer for Luiz. This was declined. Villa had gambled in buying themselves time to persuade Luiz to stay and sign, or risk losing him for free at the end of the season.
Two weeks later the 24-year-old, who has made over 100 appearances in claret and blue, signed a new contract. The Brazilian declared: “I’m so happy in this club and I love this club. I love the people here, the staff and the players. “I’m so comfortable here and I’m so happy.” He also added: “I love this club. This club opened the door for me when I came to England to play in the Premier League,”
Before the ink had dried on his new contract, a 3-0 loss at Fulham (with Luiz receiving a red-card that night) saw the end of Steven Gerrard’s reign.
Enter Unai Emery…
Immediately I’m excited; Emery had historically employed a double pivot, and with Kamara returning from injury, it is the perfect tactical setup for Luiz’s attributes to flourish. And hasn’t it just!
The Luiz x Kamara double pivot has seamlessly forged itself in the middle of the park, technically complimenting one another, and creating an understanding of each others games like they’ve played together for years. It’s a promising start.
TO THE FUTURE!
It’s been a difficult journey, and he’s frequently divided the fan base, but he’s emerged stronger and in a much better position to embrace the next stage of his career.
For the first time, I think Luiz feels a belonging – settled, and secure – and no longer distracted by the uncertainty of his future. He is now an integral part of this Aston Villa squad – part of the pride!
Still only 24 years-old, under the guidance of Unai Emery, and with a blossoming partnership alongside Kamara, I think we’re going to see the emergence of a top quality and effective midfielder for many years to come. UTV and Up The Luiz!
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AUTHOR | RYAN MCKEOWN
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MANAGER FOCUS | THE DOUBLE PIVOT
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