Can Gabriel Magalhães occupy Militão and Thiago Silva’s territory?

The Arsenal player is now a good option for defense as the Real Madrid player is recovering from injury

sambafoot_admin

2023-10-16 18:50:11

Image Credits: © (Vitor Silva/CBF)

The Brazilian defense has undergone significant changes in recent months. With the international retirement of Thiago Silva after the World Cup and the long injury of Eder Militão, coach Fernando Diniz had to find new partners for Marquinhos at the heart of defense. His choice fell on Gabriel Magalhães, the Arsenal defender.

The latter quickly established himself as the indisputable holder alongside Marquinhos. After just three call-ups, the 25-year-old defender has shown that he can take on this role. Solid in duels, good in aerial play, he also brings an offensive asset with his headed goal against Venezuela. Despite a few errors that cost goals, like against this same opponent, Gabriel is gaining momentum game after game.

The promising duo Magalhães-Marquinhos conquers Brazil

At Arsenal, Gabriel has had excellent performances this season and has established himself as one of the best central defenders in the Premier League. His consistency and solidity convinced Diniz to trust him from the start of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Alongside Marquinhos, they now form the starting hinge of Brazil.

Their understanding remains perfectible but progresses from meeting to meeting. Against Uruguay, they will have the opportunity to confirm their complementarity over time. If they manage to raise their level of play collectively, correct their individual errors and string together convincing performances, Gabriel Magalhães could definitively establish himself as the worthy successor to Thiago Silva.

At just 25 years old, he has the potential to become a pillar of the Brazilian defense for years to come. Its margin of progress suggests great things for the Seleção, which seems to have already found the solution to turn the page on the Thiago Silva era. The young Arsenal defender therefore has a golden opportunity to make an impression and offer stability and assurance to the Amarelinha rearguard.