Lucas Moura is probably preparing himself for a reduced role at Tottenham Hotspur this season.
And if he isn’t, he definitely should be.
The Brazilian winger is more than likely going to play a lot less football under Antonio Conte, who signed two wingers during the summer transfer window.
Ivan Perisic and Richarlison are both wide players by trade and with Dejan Kulusevski becoming one of the Lilywhites’ key assets this year, the Sweden international is another who Lucas has to get ahead of in the pecking order.
As a result, the former Paris Saint-Germain attacker has been linked with a return to Sao Paulo, and the Brazilian club’s manager, Rodrigo Ceni, has admitted that he would absolutely love the player back, even if it’s a ‘daydream’.
He told UOL: “Gee, I’d like to have Lucas to play in our team… it would help, he’s already experienced, but with strength, identified… but it’s more of a dream, a daydream, let’s say, than a reality.”
It might not be such a daydream because, as mentioned, a January exit is definitely possible for Lucas, who cost £25 million almost five years ago [The Guardian].
And at 30, he might well fancy a return to his homeland.
This is a player who’s managed only 12 minutes of Premier League football this season and although injury has played a minor role in those reduced numbers, for the most part it’s because he simply isn’t a big player for the North Londoners anymore.
Tottenham supporters will forever love him for scoring the last-gasp winner which sent Mauricio Pochettino’s side through to the Champions League final in 2019 but, over three years later, he is gradually becoming less important.
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