Football in 2026 loves a narrative with Nottingham Forest supporters no different when it comes to creating them.

With the Reds winning just one of their eight matches this season, the defensive unit have come in for criticism, with Murillo one of those players to have had the finger pointed at him.

Recently, fan whispers have got a bit louder, with supporters in some parts suggesting that Murillo has looked a little bit out of sorts in the early stages of the 2026/27 campaign.

Frankly, that’s a myth, and a closer look at the data actually reveals that the Brazilian central defender is playing with the same level of intensity and tactical bravery as he always has, and he remains one of the best central defenders in the Premier League.

The statistics behind the Murillo myth

Murillo’s game has never been about passing or sitting-deep safety play from the back. He’s very proactive who actively likes to engage in duels, play between the lines and use his pace to make a number of recoveries.

When examining his recent Premier League performances, his output showcases a player still operating at a very high level despite Forest being in relatively poor form.

High risk, high reward

There is a misconception that Murillo is out of form for Forest, and that is down to many lacking a clear understanding of the role he is asked to perform on the pitch.

Defenders who stack up massive clearances numbers – Murillo registered nine against Leeds and a further eight in games against Liverpool and Crystal Palace – are frequently put under pressure when their side faces sustained spells of dominance from the opposition.

Forest have played Arsenal and Tottenham this season, and with those two teams showcasing elite talent on display, Murillo still made a combined 11 clearances and five tackles, putting his body on the line to ensure Forest remained competitive.

Also, there is Murillo’s passing to consider. Murillo consistently registers impressive passing metrics in the Premier League, regularly completing 84%-92% in games this season, proving he’s capable of passing out under pressure.

Where Murillo ranks in Duel Grade this season

Some statistics have emerged from Gradient Sports regarding duel grades so far across the 2026/27 campaign, and Murillo features in fourth place.

James McAtee also makes the list, but it’s Murillo riding high in fourth that essentially proves he’s still one of the best in the Premier League when it comes to winning duels.

Murillo – The Verdict

Form might be temporary, but class is permanent, with the statistics proving that Murillo is actually in pretty good form, with the player likely suffering from setting a very high bar since he arrived at Forest.

Labelling his recent performances this season as poor ignores the weight of defensive actions he fulfils in every single game, and without him, Forest would be worse off.

Not only is Murillo not out of form, but he continues to prove on a weekly basis why he’s absolutely indispensable to Forest and Oliver Glasner.