According to Football.London, Tottenham Hotspur boss Jose Mourinho has been working on turning Gedson Fernandes into a right back for months.
It’s claimed that Mourinho has been working closely with Fernandes in this unfamiliar role in recent months.
That work culminated in Fernandes starting at right back against Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon as Spurs won 3-0.
Fernandes showed some promise in that role, and it turns out that Mourinho has had the idea for longer than many thought.
Utilising the Portuguese ace there seemed like a makeshift option, given that Serge Aurier is out and Kyle Walker-Peters has been sold.
Now though, the midfielder’s Spurs future could lie at right back, and Tottenham could sign just one right back and leave Fernandes and Japhet Tanganga as cover.
Fernandes, 21, has athletic and technical ability, and if he can add a bit more defensive know-how, Mourinho may be on to something even if it is still a huge gamble to go into the season with him as the second-choice right back.
Spurs have a £40million permanent option in Fernandes’ loan from Benfica, and with little chance of featuring prominently in midfield as things stand, the switch to right back may be his best chance at a long-term stay.
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