Douglas Luiz has revealed that there used to be a player at Manchester City who he used to look up to when tuning into the Premier League growing up.
The 25-year-old, who is regarded as one of the league’s best midfielders was at City before he joined Aston Villa in 2019.
The Brazilian international spent two seasons on loan at Girona before returning to the Premier League but for Villa.
Since then, many have wondered whether Pep Guardiola’s men would wish to bring the former Vasco da Gama dynamo back to the Etihad Stadium.
Douglas Luiz names Fernandinho as his Premier League idol
It is fair to claim that the parting of ways has suited all parties.
Luiz has thrived at Villa Park while Rodri has taken on the role of becoming City’s long-term defensive midfielder in style.
However, last month, Owen Hargreaves claimed that he would not be surprised if Manchester City tried to re-sign the all-action midfielder as an understudy to Rodri.
In an interview with the Premier League [via their official YouTube channel], Douglas Luiz was quizzed about which Brazilian midfielders he looked up to when he used to watch the Premier League growing up and he named Fernandinho.
“I like Fernandinho”, he answered.
Luiz added, “At the moment, you have Andreas Pereira, Bruno Guimaraes, I like somewhat, these are my friends. Every time I watch the games of them, I like it so much.”
Douglas Luiz was also asked what inspired him when watching Fernandinho.
“Because I played with Fernandinho when I came to England and he’s helped me so much, so, good guy, he’s experienced, he’s had so much experience in the Premier League, he’s helped me so much when I arrived here.”
Fernandinho will be an idol to future Brazilian players who watch the Premier League
Much like Douglas Luiz, if aspiring Brazilian players tune into the Premier League, it is natural that they would be enamoured by Fernandinho.
The former City captain has a strong claim for arguably being the best Brazilian player to have played in England, having surpassed stalwarts like Gilberto Silva and Philippe Coutinho.
The veteran won far more titles than the pair while perhaps operating at a higher level as well, while also going down as one of the best defensive midfielders in the history of the game.
