Gedson Fernandes is struggling at Tottenham Hotspur and the midfielder’s father hopes to see the former Benfica ace return to Portugal, as he told Antena1, via Desporto.
It is safe to assume the chances of Spurs turning Gedson’s loan deal into a £46 million permanent transfer look slim (A Bola).
Almost a year after he arrived in north London on an 18-month loan spell from Benfica, the Portugal U21 international hasn’t come close to sealing a regular role at the heart of Jose Mourinho’s midfield.
Gedson has played only 63 minutes of football in 2020/21 – all in the EFL Cup – with the arrival of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Tanguy Ndombele’s personal renaissance, forcing him further down the pecking order.
Mourinho himself admitted over the weekend that Gedson could depart in January and you get the feeling nothing would make the 21-year-old’s father happier.
“My desire is for him to play, whether at Benfica, Sporting, FC Porto or another team,” Edeson Fernandes said.
“He went to Tottenham to play because at Benfica he also played little. Going there not to play is sad.”
Former Primeira Liga defender Idalecio agrees it may be time for Gedson to draw a line under a disappointing spell in England, telling Noticias ao Minuto his development can only improve by playing games on a weekly basis.
“I believe Gedson evolved at Tottenham, despite not having played much,” Idalecio said.
“A return to Benfica in January would be important, not least because the squad has some difficulties and Gedson would certainly be a valid option for (coach) Jorge Jesus. January would be a good time for Gedson to return to Benfica.”
Despite spending more than £70 million on signings during the summer, stuttering Benfica have won only one of their last three games, conceding nine goals in the process.
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