Cedric Soares has told ESPN that new Arsenal signing Fabio Vieira may struggle initially in the Premier League after joining the club from Porto – claiming the pace of England’s top tier is much quicker than that in Portugal.
Vieira, 22, is one of the club’s four summer signings – joining the club for a fee of £34million (Sky) alongside Gabriel Jesus, Matt Turner and Marquinihos. Of course, that is about to become five with Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Midfielder Vieira is a player that is yet to play for his National Team, but he has scored 13 goals for Portugal’s Under-21 side. In 75 senior outings for Porto, he has had a hand in 28 goals from the middle of the park.
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Asked about Vieira, Cedric says that given the duo share the same nationality – he has been helping him settle in. But Cedric says Vieira will take time to adapt given the difference in intensity between England and Portugal.
“Very young. He will grow in years in the Premier League. What he will find intense is the Premier League rhythm. It is much quicker than the rhythm in Portugal. This is something he will have to adapt, you can’t change it.”
Cedric: New Arsenal signing Vieira may struggle initially
Cedric has a good point but the only way Vieira is going to get over this initial issue, is with game time. Europa League football might do it, but he will not be playing against Premier League clubs.
He might even struggle to get game time in the league, with Martin Odegaard his main competition. The Norwegian is one of Arsenal’s best players, if not their best. So, Vieira may find he is warming the bench initially.
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