Douglas Luiz joined Juventus at the start of last season carrying plenty of expectation. He was supposed to be an important part of their midfield, but it never really worked out. He didn’t shine, his teammates looked sharper and more consistent, and little by little he slipped into a secondary role. What really caught the eye, though, was when he failed to show up for preseason ahead of 2025/26. No explanation, nothing and that absence left its mark.
That kind of behavior gave the impression of a player who wasn’t fully tuned in, which clashed with the strict discipline Juventus demands. It pushed the club to move on from him sooner than expected, agreeing to a deal that made sense financially but still carried the feeling of disappointment with the investment.
Heading to Nottingham Forest is also a return to a familiar stage. Back in 2017/18, Manchester City signed him, but he didn’t actually make a Premier League appearance until 2019/20, by then already with Aston Villa. Birmingham was where he enjoyed his best spell in England: consistent performances, leadership in midfield, and call-ups to Brazil’s national team. Even then, there was always that sense he could’ve delivered more. Now at Forest, it’s on him to prove he still has enough to compete in a league that only gets tougher every year.
The Brazilian presence in Nottingham
He won’t be alone. Forest has been filling its squad with Brazilian players: defender Jair, forward Igor Jesus, and the center-back pair Morato and Murillo. Having fellow countrymen around should make it easier for Douglas to settle in, something he’ll need right away.
There’s also the collective factor. A group of Brazilians can make the locker room feel more familiar, which could help him regain confidence and rhythm.
The cost of instability
Forest doesn’t have the luxury of spending big on players who don’t deliver fast. The team is coming off an excellent 2024/25 Premier League campaign that secured a Europa League spot, and they’ve started this season on the right foot, winning the opening match and showing up in the top five after round one.
That context raises the pressure. Douglas Luiz has to perform immediately, because if he falls short, he’ll quickly turn into a target for criticism. Still, Forest has decided to take the risk. They know he’s not at his peak right now, but they’re betting he’s got enough left to turn things around and find his best form again.