HE WAS SUPPOSED to be the next Dani Alves. Danilo arrived at Real Madrid from Porto for a fee of €31.5 million in the summer of 2015 with a big reputation and in theory, an even brighter future. So far, however, the move has been an unmitigated disaster.
The former Santos right-back made his debut in a goalless game away to Sporting Gijon under Rafa Benitez, the Spanish coach under pressure from president Florentino Perez to select the summer signing in his starting XI.
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Ultimately, that contributed to his downfall. Danilo was all at sea as Madrid lost 3-2 at Sevilla and went absent without leave in the Clasico when Barcelona tore through his sector at will in an incredible 4-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Danilo also featured in the 1-0 defeat at Villarreal and after Benitez was removed in January, he played in the 1-0 loss at home to Atletico in La Liga and then in the 2-0 reverse away to Wolfsburg.
By the season’s end, he had played every minute of every single Madrid defeat in 2015-16, a damning indictment on his defensive abilities if ever there was one.
That followed another own goal at Sevilla in the last 16 earlier this month and the 25-year-old is showing few signs that he can become the player Madrid hoped he would when they signed him in 2015.
Real have had a number of expensive disappointments in recent times – the likes of Kaka, Walter Samuel, Antonio Cassano and Jonathan Woodgate – but unless there is a dramatic improvement, Danilo will join them in being one of the worst signings in the history of the club.
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What a waste of €31.5m! Danilo could be Real Madrid's worst signing of all time
HE WAS SUPPOSED to be the next Dani Alves. Danilo arrived at Real Madrid from Porto for a fee of €31.5 million in the summer of 2015 with a big reputation and in theory, an even brighter future. So far, however, the move has been an unmitigated disaster.
The former Santos right-back made his debut in a goalless game away to Sporting Gijon under Rafa Benitez, the Spanish coach under pressure from president Florentino Perez to select the summer signing in his starting XI.
Ultimately, that contributed to his downfall. Danilo was all at sea as Madrid lost 3-2 at Sevilla and went absent without leave in the Clasico when Barcelona tore through his sector at will in an incredible 4-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Danilo also featured in the 1-0 defeat at Villarreal and after Benitez was removed in January, he played in the 1-0 loss at home to Atletico in La Liga and then in the 2-0 reverse away to Wolfsburg.
By the season’s end, he had played every minute of every single Madrid defeat in 2015-16, a damning indictment on his defensive abilities if ever there was one.
That followed another own goal at Sevilla in the last 16 earlier this month and the 25-year-old is showing few signs that he can become the player Madrid hoped he would when they signed him in 2015.
Real have had a number of expensive disappointments in recent times – the likes of Kaka, Walter Samuel, Antonio Cassano and Jonathan Woodgate – but unless there is a dramatic improvement, Danilo will join them in being one of the worst signings in the history of the club.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
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Antonio Cassano Dani Alves Danilo Kaka Opinion Real Madrid Under Pressure Walter Samuel worst signing