What should Inter Milan expect from new arrival Jeison Murillo?

What should Inter Milan expect from new arrival Jeison Murillo? [VIDEO]

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Completed in February, the signing of Colombian centre-back Jeison Murillo from La Liga side Granada has gone under the radar somewhat, though it appears a transfer coup for the Serie A powerhouse.

Strong, quick, excellent in the air and a fierce and precise tackler, Inter Milan may have pulled off one of the bargains of the season with the capture of Jeison Murillo. At only 23 years of age, the fee of €8 million looks a steal and the Nerazzurri appear to have conducted this particular piece of business in rather shrewd fashion.

Despite signing for the San Siro outfit in February, outside the transfer window, the Colombian will link up with his teammates for the first time following his country’s involvement in the Copa America in Chile.

At Granada since 2010 (initially on loan from Udinese), Murillo has mostly learnt his trade in Spain, racking up 51 appearances for the Andalusian side whilst also spending time on loan at Cadiz and Las Palmas in the third and second divisions of Spanish football.

It was in 2013-14 where the tough tackling central defender made a name for himself as one of the brightest prospects in the game, with many courageous and commanding performances. He made 32 appearances for his side and was a key figure in helping El Grana stay afloat as they finished 15th.

This season, however, the Colombian endured a somewhat indifferent campaign in La Liga, looking off the pace and allowing vital defensive errors and lapses in concentration to creep into his game. His side managed to avoid relegation on the final day of the season with a 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid, though Murillo at times was performing as if his head was already in Milan.

The powerful centre-back was stripped of the ball by Lionel Messi while careless in possession during Barcelona’s 6-0 rout over Granada earlier in the season, and in November Murillo was responsible for turning over the ball to allow Dani Carvajal to begin the build up to a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in a 4-0 defeat.

Another downside to Murillo’s game is his injury susceptibility, which is due to his combative all-action style. This season, the defender made only 19 appearances for his side in the league.

If the Colombian can address these lapses in concentration and remain somewhat injury-free, he will be a raging success in Serie A. With defensive qualities similar to that of Inter legend and fellow Colombian Ivan Cordoba, such as quick recovery speed and great aerial ability despite being relatively short for a central defender (182 centimetres), it is easy to see why Inter decided upon parting with the €8 million fee paid for him.

Inter’s new arrival will have a positive influence on the team, most likely forming a solid defensive partnership with Brazilian Juan Jesus rather than club captain Andrea Ranocchia, due to the fact that Ranocchia himself is prone to defensive blunders. Alongside Juan, Murillo will be partnered with another expert ball-winner, and the two can become a formidable defensive pairing in Serie A.

At this year’s Copa America, Murillo has impressed for his country. Starting both of Colombia’s games against Venezuela and Brazil, the Deportivo Cali youth product has showcased his talents and is beginning to look at his best once more.

https://youtu.be/ATAYDPSOHXc

Against Brazil, Murillo netted the only goal of the game with a low finish from a near goal line scramble following Juan Cuadrado’s free kick into the box. As well as this, the defender put in an assured and efficient display and played a vital role in keeping Selecao stars including Neymar, Roberto Firmino and Willian quiet.

In saying this, however, Murillo has shown shades of his 2014-15 form at the tournament. Against Venezuela, he was a little too slow in reacting to a cross into the box that allowed Zenit St. Petersburg striker Jose Salomon Rondon to head in Venezuela’s winner in a shock 1-0 victory.

And against Brazil, Murillo was nearly at fault for allowing his opponents to score, with a casual back pass to David Ospina that did not have enough on it – admittedly, Ospina slipped in the process of clearing the ball. Manchester United target Firmino ultimately missed an open goal and Murillo and Colombia were fortunate not to concede on that occasion.

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For all of his drawbacks, Murillo still has solid stats to back up his abilities. Over two seasons with Granada in La Liga, the Colombian averaged a passing accuracy of 83.3% from an average of over 30.5 passes per game. This looks increasingly impressive in the knowledge that an average of 4.4 of these passes were long balls. Murillo also averages 1.8 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game, whilst showing he is a low-risk tackler in giving away only 0.9 fouls per game.

In essence, Inter will be getting a player who is an accomplished ball winner and constant aerial threat, and one who has plenty of experience in the top flight, albeit for a relegation-threatened team. What this signing also means for the Nerazzurri is that Ranocchia and Juan will be fighting for their spots in the starting XI, meaning they are more likely to perform to their capabilities in fear of being relegated to the bench. This signing could also see Nemanja Vidic gain less playing time – perhaps not such a bad thing due to his declining performances over the course of the season.

If Murillo can learn to cut out his lapses in concentration then Roberto Mancini will have a complete defender at his disposal, one who may follow in the path of a former Nerazzurri and Colombia legend in Ivan Cordoba.

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