PROFILE | Vanderson – Monaco’s Brazilian breaking the mould

Vanderson doesn’t really fit the mould for a Brazilian full-back. Unlike the greats, Cafu and Roberto Carlos most notably, he is not particularly attack-minded. What he is is a well-balanced player, competent in both phases of player, without being spectacular in either. Perhaps that is why his consistent, few thrills, few spills performances have seemed to float under the radar this year. 

It is a year in which, thanks to his consistency, Vanderson has fought his way back into the Brazil squad. Last season, even despite the arrival of Wilfried Singo, the Brazilian featured prominently. With Singo now featuring more often at CB, Vanderson has really consolidated his position as first-pick at right-back, especially with Jordan Teze’s difficult start to life at Monaco. 

Teze’s arrival felt pre-emptive at the time with Tottenham Hotspur showing interest late in the summer transfer window. Ultimately Vanderson remained and he has continued on his gradual upward trajectory. He really burst onto the scene when he arrived in January 2022. Touted as a player for the future, he instead cemented himself as a key player, arguably Les Monégasques’ best in the second half of the 2021/22 season. 

Delivery Vanderson’s point for progression

That progress, in part halted by injury, has slowed. But there has been progress nonetheless, notably in attacking phases. A very competent defender, who can rely on his good positioning, intense pressing and strong tackling, his attacking has often left a lot to be desired. With his pace, he is adept at getting to the byline, but once he gets there, his final ball is often lacking. This remains the case and there is very much a hit-and-hope approach to his crosses, which is reflected in his statistics. But he is now more adept at coming inside and finding progressive passes in central areas, this is a facet of his game where there are clear signs of notable improvement. 

With three assists and two goals in his 19 appearances for Les Monégasques this season, Vanderson is in what he has described as a “very special moment”. If he can turn this “moment” of attacking efficiency into a more long-term trend, he will come back on everyone’s radars. He might never be as attacking as the likes of his compatriots Cafu or Roberto Carlos, but that isn’t necessarily his game, but that doesn’t mean that he can’t soon make the next step in his career either as a right-back, or even perhaps following the path of another Monégasque, Fabinho, and re-converting as a midfielder.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle