Liverpool Opinion: Reds should beat Man United and Spurs to sign Gedson Fernandes
According to the Mirror, Liverpool and Man United are keen on securing the services of Benfica’s £35 million-rated midfielder Gedson Fernandes, with Spurs also joining the race to sign the exciting 20-year-old this summer.
The Mirror understands that Fernandes’ representatives were in England to negotiate with the potential suitors and Spurs are the one who have reportedly firmed up their interest in the talented youngster.
Born in the African island of Sao Tome and Principe, Fernandes joined Benfica’s youth system at the age of 10 and rose through the ranks to break into the first-team last summer.
Held in high regard at the youth and reserve level, the 20-year-old has already earned rave reviews for his impressive performances in his first season at the senior level and his scintillating run of form has put him on the radar of the Premier League giants. Fernandes has made a total of 45 appearances for Benfica in all competitions over the course of his breakthrough season, contributing with 3 goals and 5 assists.
Standing close to 6ft. with a well-built frame, Fernandes is capable of playing both defensive and box-to-box roles in central midfield. The 20-year-old has caught the eye with his strength, stamina, work-rate, wonderful passing and distance-shooting abilities in his breakthrough season. A tough-tackling and all-action midfield enforcer with a seemingly indefatigable body, the Portuguese covers every blade of grass on the pitch and contributes a lot to both attack and defence.
Fernandes has shown a level of maturity that belies his tender years, both in terms of composure in possession and game-reading abilities, while also showcasing exceptional tacking skills for a player of his age. Known for his ability to anticipate the transitions in play quicker than his opposite number, the 20-year-old keeps getting into the right positions to cut out attacks with tackles and interceptions.
The youngster not only excels with his defensive contribution and work-rate but he is also equally adept at setting his team on the front foot with his intelligent passing and distribution. Blessed with wonderful dribbling skills for a central midfielder, Fernandes knows how to create his own space in the midfield and often carries the ball forward with pace and intent to turn defence into attack.
To put things into perspective, Fernandes would be a good signing for both Spurs and Man United, given that both the clubs are in need of bringing in reinforcements at central midfield. Liverpool, however, should look to get one over their Premier League rivals and beat off competition for the talented combative midfielder in the summer.
The Reds have done exceptionally well this season in the Premier League and have lost just a single game throughout the campaign. That supreme level on consistency, however, might not be enough for Jurgen Kopp’s side to claim their first league title in 28 years, with Man City in pole position to retain their crown heading into the final day of the season.
Liverpool also showed plenty of character to complete a remarkable comeback against Barcelona in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League to make it to their second successive final. As things stand, they are still in with a chance of ending the season with silverware should they manage to beat Spurs in the final of the Champions League.
However, the raging success and the dominance this season should not stop Liverpool from investing in new players. The Reds can certainly do with another top-quality central midfielder in their ranks, with question marks over the futures of Adam Lallana, James Milner and Naby Keita.
Lallana has only played a bit-part role and he might head for the exit door this summer, while Milner is going to be 34 next season and it will be difficult for him to cope with Klopp’s intense football. Keita has largely underwhelmed this season since his mega-money move from RB Leipzig last summer and it remains to be seen whether the Reds would be happy to keep him on their books for another season.
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All in all, Gedson Fernandes is a really talented player with a mountain of potential and he certainly has all that it takes to compete in the Premier League. The 2-cap Portuguese international is only going to get better with time, and given that he would be a perfect fit for Klopp’s system, the Reds should not hesitate to splash the cash on him.
