Goncalo Guedes can be an ‘extraordinary signing’ for Benfica after returning to Portugal on loan from Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers, former Valencia boss Marcelino Garcia Toral tells Radio Renascenca.
Marcelino knows from experience just how electrifying Guedes can be when at the peak of his powers.
The former Paris Saint-Germain wonderkid had Los Che supporters dreaming briefly of the La Liga title during a superb start to the 2017/18 season, eventually winding up with five goals and nine assists during his debut season on Spanish soil.
At the age of 26, however, Guedes is yet to transform that potential into anything more substantial. A return to the club where he started his career – just six months after an ill-fated £27 million move to Wolves – represents a massive step in the wrong direction for a player who once scored the winner for Portugal in the inaugural Nations League final.
Wolves winger Goncalo Guedes is now back in Portugal with Benfica on loan
“Goncalo Guedes is a very good player,” Marcelino argues, backing his former wing whizzkid to kick-start his career back home in Lisbon.
“For Benfica, he is an extraordinary signing. He can earn more playing time at Benfica than at Wolves, for example. It is a team that is more suited to him.
“I have great confidence in Goncalo because he is a good player. I wish him the best, and I really believe in his footballing qualities.
“When he arrived at Valencia, he was already a good footballer. With me, he performed very well, despite all the difficulties due to having several injuries.
“And in the final year in Valencia, playing as a second striker, he produced an extraordinary performance. He was one of the best players in the Spanish league.”
Guedes scored on his return to Benfica in a 3-0 win at Santa Clara last time out. It remains to be seen whether he still has a future at his parent club, however.
Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui did not hand Guedes a single minute in any of his final three Premier League outings. The Old Gold outfit have since brought in another winger in Pablo Sarabia from PSG.
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