MLS: Top 5 Designated Player signings from 2020

2. Joao Paulo

Sometimes, you can just tell. Sometimes, you don’t need stats or analysis or massive sample sizes or quotes. Sometimes, you just need a brief second to see just how special a player might be. That was very much the case with the Seattle Sounders’ third and final DP, Joao Paulo.

Paulo arrived from Botafogo. He was the captain, which attracted Seattle from the off, and boasted an all-around midfield skill set that allows him to play in all three central positions: a deep-lying game-wrecking number six, an all-action box-to-box player, or even behind a centre-forward as a number 10.

With Nicolas Lodeiro and Cristian Roldan already in Seattle, it was surprising when they signed another technical midfielder. But the Brazilian has illustrated just how brilliant he will be at the MLS level. He already has two goals and one assist, his passing has been superb, dictating play from deep with variety and tempo, while his positional versatility will be invaluable as the season progresses. Joao Paulo has been an absolute steal, and you could tell from the moment he stepped on the pitch.