Why Tottenham should go for Benfica’s Gedson Fernandes in January

Back in May, a report from the Daily Mail had claimed that Tottenham were monitoring Benfica star, Gedson Fernandes.

Gedson Fernandes, 20, was one of the star performers for Benfica alongside Joao Felix and Ruben Dias last season, bagging three goals and six assists in 46 appearances across all competitions.

He was used more of an impact player from the bench in league games but was a regular fixture in the Europa League.

The two-cap Portuguese international hasn’t featured for Benfica this season as he is currently sidelined with a metatarsal injury.

The young midfielder’s performances caught the attention of a number of top European clubs, including Tottenham; however, a move didn’t materialise during the summer transfer window.

Nevertheless, Tottenham should revive their interest in Gedson Fernandes and go for him when the transfer window reopens in January.

Mauricio Pochettino strengthened his squad in the summer, signing the likes of Giovani Lo Celso, Tanguy Ndombele, Ryan Sessegnon and Jack Clarke, who has returned to Leeds United to spend the 2019/20 campaign.

The midfield was a key area for Spurs and Pochettino addressed it, but there could be a couple of outgoings in the next transfer market.

Christian Eriksen and Victor Wanyama were linked with exits in the summer but they stayed. There is a possibility of them leaving the club in January, especially Eriksen, who has entered the final year of his contract.

Spurs could look to cash in on Eriksen rather losing him on a free transfer next summer as the Dane has been reluctant to commit his future in north London.

Meanwhile, Eric Dier endured a poor 2019 due to injuries and ill health and is not in line to get much game time if the start of the season is anything to go by.

Following the arrivals of Lo Celso and Ndombele, Dier has fallen way below down the pecking order and faces a mighty task to change Pochettino’s mind. That could see the England international leave in January if he wishes to play regular club football.

Apparently, these are some of the players whose future remain uncertain at Tottenham. Pochettino, who exceeded expectations last season by reaching the Champions League final, will aim to go one step ahead and win the competition this time around.

Should the likes of Eriksen, Wanyama and Dier leave in January, the Spurs manager will need at least a couple of midfielders to replace them. One of those has to be Gedson Fernandes.

Fernandes, aged just 20, is one of Benfica’s most valuable assets along with Ruben Dias and Florentino Luis. He is regarded as one of the brightest talents in Portugal, having mightily impressed with Benfica in the last couple of seasons.

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A versatile midfielder, the 20-year-old possesses a fantastic range of passing which helps him dictate games from the middle of the park.

He has a stunning right foot and he has scored a number of long-range screamers during his time at Benfica. Fernandes’ ability from set-pieces remain underrated, while he can also split open defences with his incisive passing.

Verdict

Fernandes has all the attributes to be the next big thing in world football. He is a raw talent and Pochettino could be the right manager to unlock his true potential.