In his first competitive game since being linked with a potential £30 million move to Premier League trio Nottingham Forest, Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers, Benfica forward Goncalo Ramos certainly wasted little time showing what all the fuss is about.
The Portugal U21 international has been likened to Thomas Muller due to his ability to find pockets of space inside penalty areas packed tighter than a whole shipping container of canned sardines. And the Bayern Munich legend would have been nodding in approval as Ramos darted in front of an unwitting defender to open the scoring during Benfica’s 4-1 Champions League qualification clash with Midtjylland.
A second soon followed; Another smart header. Ramos’ third, meanwhile, showcased the excellent close control and goalscoring instincts that have made the 21-year-old Algarve Arrow one of Europe’s most coveted young strikers.
“Only in dreams could it be better than this,” Ramos tells BTV after writing his name in the Benfica history books next to Eusebio, Darwin Nunez and Joao Felix.
Coach Roger Schmidt, meanwhile, barely attempted to hide his admiration. And his relief, for that matter; A summer of intense speculation failing to take Ramos’ mind off the task at hand.
“I am very happy that he is my player,” Schmidt tells ZeroZero.
Goncalo Ramos shows what all the fuss is about in Benfica cruise
How much longer Schmidt can rely upon Ramos’ excellent movement and nose for goal, however, remains to be seen.
According to Mais Futebol, Wolves have already held talks with Benfica this summer.
Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest are also admirers, per Record, while Paris Saint-Germain’s revamped transfer policy – one that revolves around talented up-and-comers rather than established superstars – has led them to consider the ‘Muller of the Med’ too.
“Of course I’m happy,” Schmidt adds as Benfica took one giant leap towards the Champions League group-stages (Tribuna).
“It wasn’t an easy game. It’s not easy to play against Midtjylland,but we created a lot of chances and didn’t give them many. We deserved to win and we played very good football.”
“Goncalo, like all the others, played very well and scored three. Maybe he could have scored three mor. As a central striker, he likes to play in this position. He can use his physical power and quality in finishing.
“That was very important today.”
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