One year ago today the footballing world was firmly focused on transfer deadline day.
Indeed, after a coronavirus affected season, the transfer window ended later than usual and this time last year, numerous clubs were rushing to get their final-day deals over the line.
Leeds United had a rather exciting deadline day last October, signing Raphinha from Rennes, but we’re going to look back on one deal that didn’t come to fruition.
Indeed, this time last year, Leeds were credited with an interest in Portuguese midfielder Joao Mario, but for one reason or another, the move never came off.
So, one year on, how is the former Inter Milan man getting on?
Well, after spending a season at Sporting and winning the Portuguese League title, Mario’s Inter contract was terminated, but he wasn’t out of work for too long.
This summer Benfica showed a lot of belief in the midfielder, handing him a five-year contract, and it’s fair to say he’s repaying the faith shown in him.
Mario is shining in Benfica’s midfield this season. He has the eighth-highest average WhoScored rating in Liga NOS, while he’s also been shining in the Champions League.
Indeed, just last week the 28-year-old earned all sorts of praise for his performance against Barcelona, with one fan even going as far as to compare him to Andres Iniesta.
Mario was superb against Barcelona in Benfica’s 3-0 win, he played two key passes, made one dribble and was fouled three times. He barely put a foot wrong and acted as the beating heart in a Benfica midfield that La Blaugrana just couldn’t deal with.
Leeds wanted Mario one year ago, but for some reason, they couldn’t get a deal over the line, and now it looks as though they may have missed out on a very talented footballer.
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