Manchester City’s £30 million teenage centre-back Vitor Reis ‘not the saviour for this season’ according to South American football expert Tim Vickery.
Manchester City were the exception to the rule in an otherwise quiet January transfer window, bringing in five new faces at a cost of £180million, teenage sensation Reis being the most intriguing. The 19-year-old defender joined City’s ageing squad for £30 million from Palmeiras in a deal making him the most expensive Brazilian defender ever.
Quays News spoke to South American football expert Tim Vickery who explained Palmeiras’ esteemed academy is one of the best in Brazil, producing talents like Real Madrid’s Endrick and Willian Estevao- who has agreed a move to Chelsea- ahead of the summer. City landed Reis’ signature despite competition from Real Madrid and Palmeiras not wanting to sell their prized asset.
‘‘He’s been at the club since he was 10, and started getting into the first team in June 2024, and has moved with 18 league appearances under his belt.
‘‘Palmeiras did not want to sell him, especially prior to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. But even before he made his first team debut Real Madrid were after him, so if City wanted him, they had to get in quickly, which they did.’’
Vickery goes on to explain the highly coveted defender wasn’t always the first choice for his boyhood club.
‘‘He wasn’t guaranteed a first team start, neither was he absolutely fundamental to their plans for the Club World Cup, meaning it became a fantastic bit of business for Palmeiras.
‘‘They got a heap of money for a player who is extremely promising but not necessarily first choice as Palmeiras have [already got] three good center-backs’’
Reis’ ability to play across the back-four is perfect for head coach Pep Guardiola and Vickery noted his versatility as one of three main components of his game.
‘‘He’s versatile, he can fit on either side in a back four or a back three. So, he’s got that versatility to fit in with different defensive systems.
‘‘He’s also classy, can play from the back, and has a leadership capacity. Even alongside vastly experienced players you can see him shouting and giving directions, he’s a big personality.’’
Reis produced 1.26 tackles per 90 minutes (93 percentile), having an 88% pass completion rate and won 2.9 aerial duels last season in domestic football- Nathan Ake is the closest City player to reach this mark, averaging 2.1 per 90; while there is a glaring gap in quality between the divisions, Reis’ aerial ability aged just 19 is astonishing and something City desperately need.
Vickery points out the difference in coaching style going from Palmeiras’ Abel Ferreira to Pep Guardiola, and the gulf between Brazilian Serie A and the Premier League.
‘‘Ferreira is Portuguese, and he’s very good, but very much in the Jose Mourinho mode, and to play centre back for a Mourinho team is one thing, to play centre back for a Guardiola team is another entirely.
‘‘Now, the football is faster and more physical than anything Reis has seen before, and to do those things 20 meters higher up the field than he’s used to playing, it’s not easy.’’
Vickery explains the difference in physicality is a cause for concern citing a worrying encounter against Brazilian international striker Igor Jesus:
‘‘He’s got some filling out to do, in August he was up against Igor Jesus and boy did he get bullied, Jesus is quick, strong, mobile and intelligent, he hit him up frankly.
‘‘It’s all a part of the learning curve, but he’s going to be up against that level of striker all the time now, it’s not going to be an easy process, he’s not the savior of this season. ‘’
Vickery suspects Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup participation could help the settling in process for Reis and their four other signings. Reis joined Nico Gonzalez (23), Abdukodir Khusanov (20), Omar Marmoush (25) and Claudio Echeverii (19), in their January spending spree- part of a long-term rejuvenation of their playing squad, the eighth oldest in the Premier League.