Benfica coach Jorge Jesus believes Gedson Fernandes should have stayed in Portugal amid reports linking Tottenham Hotspur’s forgotten man with a return to the Estadio Da Luz, as he told RTP.
In a matter of weeks, the Portugal U21 international will be celebrating his one year anniversary as a Spurs player. Not that the occasion will be a particularly happy one.
Gedson has played just 63 minutes of football all season, with his only appearance coming in the EFL Cup.
With Moussa Sissoko, Tanguy Ndombele, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Harry Winks all ahead of him in the pecking order, the 21-year-old has only been included in the matchday squad for one of 12 Premier League games in 2020/21.
Jose Mourinho himself has already suggested that Gedson’s loan deal could be cut short in the winter, with Benfica potentially set to welcome the young ball-winner back into the fold (Goal).
With Jorge Jesus looking for more options in midfield, he too would give Gedson’s early return the green light.
“As for Gedson, I don’t know him very well because he never worked with me,” said Jesus, who was appointed Benfica boss a few months after the midfielder’s departure for North London.
“Now, all these young people that Benfica have, if they don’t play in these teams, it is better to be at Benfica. In my opinion, they learn much more (if they stay).
“If they don’t play for these teams, they might as well be at Benfica. They learn much more. Florentino (Luis) left, he is not playing [in Monaco], Jota is not playing [in Real Valladolid], Tomás Tavares is not playing [Alavés].
“If you are not going to play, it is better to be here.”
Gedson’s father even admitted a few weeks ago that he wanted his son to return to Portugal, describing his situation at Tottenham as a ‘sad’ one.
Spurs have a £46 million option-to-buy clause in Gedson’s contract; one that looks destined to go un-triggered (A Bola).
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