Diogo Dalot
Milan have secured the services of Diogo Dalot on a dry loan the club announced through its official app. A high flying full back at Porto it surprised everyone when United paid 22 Million for his services (more than his release clause) to bring the player to United then under the stewardship. However with Jose leaving United and Dalot’s move coming a bit too early for him, he got relegated to being a third choice right back under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Ole preferring Aaron Wan Bissaka. Here is a small introduction the Diogo Dalot and what Milan fans can expect from him this season
Profile
Name: Diogo Dalot
Age:21
Foot: Right
Back-story
Diogo Dalot was born on 18th march 1999. He joined Porto youth as a 9 year old kid. After playing in the Porto youth academy he went on loan to Pardonese in the 14/15 season. Impressing at an early age Porto recalled him back for the 15/16 season to play for the U17 team and his impact was very high that he earned a call up to the U19 team at the age of 17.
Another promotion beckoned after impressing for the U-189 team where he was called up for the Porto B team before he made his debut for the senior team against Sporting Lisbon. He made a total of 8 appearances for Porto before joining Manchester United
Playing style
Diogo Dalot is an attacking full back who can cover as a left-back and a right back. At Porto, he played as inverted full back for 8 games at Porto. His gameplay differs when playing as a right back and a left back
When deployed at his natural role of right back he plays as a pseudo-wingback where in-case opposition tries to overload the center and put pressure on the center backs Dalot tucks in and reduces the numerical advantage of the opposition. When in possession Dalot can play like a normal winger where he has the pace to take-on players in 1v1. He has the technical ability to create chances with his crosses and is a constant attacking threat to the opposition. His understanding with the Porto wingers is quite crucial to his performances. If the wingers prefers to push wide Dalot tucks inside and waits outside the box. If the winger is playing as an inside forward then Daloy plays out wide and tends to pull the full back out of position.
When playing as a left back, his work ethic and role while defending remains the same. It is his method of attacking that differs. Where-in he instead of cutting-inside stays wide to receive the ball from the midfielder and then cuts inside for a cross or to find the winger with a cut-back cross.
Tactical awareness is a very strong trait of Diogo Dalot. Porto played a 4-4-2 which changed to a 4-2-2-2 and this required alternative full backs to push up to provide width. Dalot is more comfortable in teams that use zonal defending and zonal marking rather than man-to-man marking which makes him very tactically aligned to Pioli’s style of play. He rarely dives into tackles even if he gets outnumbered on the flank. Dalot also has a very sound dribbling technique and uses the outside of his boot to cross and make passes. He oftens hugs the touchline to help switch play when the opposite flank is clogged.
His ability to dive into tackles can sometimes put him into trouble. He back’s off quite often and this gives time to the opponent to advance the attack. When playing with Porto, Dalot was often seen dropping too deep and playing opposition attackers onside and Dalot needs to improve his positional sense.
Player comparison
With Dalot making very few appearances it is difficult to make a statistical analysis.
After quite a bit of research on the internet and watching Dalot play he resembles a lot like former Inter and Juventus Right back Joao Cancelo. Both standing tall at 6 feet and with the ability to burst forward with pace and join the attack Dalot has followed the path taken by his compatriot albeit he joined crosstown rivals Inter.
With an injury crisis awash at Manchester City Pep Guardiola was forced to play Cancelo as a inverted full back. Against Lyon he often started from inside and dribbled out wide allowing Sterling to make inside runs between Lyon’s compact lines. Being right footed cancelo easily slid in passes into the path of sterling which caused a few problems for Lyon.
Deal or No deal
With Laxalt joining Celtic on loan and Conti fragile as ever, a profile like Diogo Dalot is exacly what Milan needed especially since they will be plaing 3 competitions this season in a very jam packed schedule due to the corona virus
A low risk high reward signing, the loan of Diogo Dalot can see Milan try out multiple combinations in play as it gives ambidexterity to Pioli if he wants to put pressure on opposition and play 2 attack minded full backs in theo and Dalot on both flanks.
Transfer rating 6.5/10
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