Gustavo Scarpa will ‘struggle with the physicality’ of the Premier League but Nottingham Forest are signing a footballer with a ‘wand of a left foot’, South American expert Tim Vickery tells talkSPORT of the City Ground-bound Brazil international (8 November, 3.45pm).
It’s says a lot about just how impressive and instrumental Scarpa has been for Palmeiras over the last few seasons that, when Selecao boss Tite announced his squad for the Qatar World Cup, some were questioning why this waifish little playmaker had been left off a roster containing such world-leading talents as Neymar, Bruno Guimaraes, Vinicius Jr and Antony.
28-year-old Scarpa has 12 goals and 17 assists to his name this season. No one created more goals in Brazil’s top flight in 2021. And he will fly across the Atlantic next month on the back of seven trophies in just five years in the olive green of Palmeiras.
Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal to bring Scarpa to the East Midlands following the expiration of his contract at the Allianz Parque.
And Vickery is hoping that his wonderful technical ability can offset a lack of muscle.
Nottingham Forest are signing Brazil international Gustavo Scarpa from Palmeiras
“He’s an attacking midfielder. He is not particularly well-built. But he has a lovely left foot; A wand of a left foot,” Vickery explains.
“He’s going to struggle with the physicality. But that left foot, from set-pieces… terrific. And just the fact that he wants that experience of living in another country, experiencing another culture, that makes the whole adaptation process a lot easier. I’m fascinated to see how he gets on.”
Scarpa will fulfil a childhood ‘dream’ in the Premier League. He also insists that he is not having any second thoughts despite the prospect of a survival battle at Nottingham Forest.
“I remember, a few years back, he was playing in the same Fluminense side as Richarlison,” Vickery recalls. “And if you stopped 100 Fluminense fans on the street and asked ‘which is going to be the big star?’, 99 of them would have said Gustavo Scarpa.
“Richarlison has that kamikaze physicality. Gustavo Scarpa doesn’t have that. But he does have a lovely left foot.”
Interestingly, Scarpa posted a photo on his Instagram recently suggesting that this is his ‘last week’ at Palmeiras’ training ground (Globo Esporte).
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