Gedson Fernandes: 5 Things To Know About Tottenham's Imminent New Signing

Portuguese international Gedson Fernandes is set to become José Mourinho's first signing at Tottenham.

The midfielder is the 11th player Mourinho has signed from a Portuguese club, and unless you're really clued up on Portuguese youth football, Gedson is an unknown quantity to these shores.

What we do know is that Spurs have a headache in midfield. They're suffering from a long-term injury to Moussa Sissoko, a player being 'frozen out' in Tanguy Ndombele and Christian Eriksen is desperate to leave the club.

Can Gedson be the cure to their current ailments? Here's five things to know about Tottenham's new midfielder.

Teammates With Joao Felix

Benfica's Caixa Futebol Campus is located in the bay of Seixal, alongside the River Tagus. It sounds pretty idyllic, doesn't it? While enjoying the scenery, the academy has been busy producing Bernardo Silva, Nelson Semedo, Ederson and Victor Lindelöf among others.

Gedson Fernandes was no different than those more established names as he came through the academy, first set up by football icon Eusebio. Joining in 2009, Gedson was in esteemed company with the prodigious Joao Felix as a teammate.

Felix is a year younger than his compatriot but they enjoyed a season together for Benfica's Liga Pro team in the 2017/18 season. The real breakthrough came last year as they progressed into the Benfica first team together, winning the Primeira Liga and being integral members of that team.

Slow Start To The Season

Frustrated by a metatarsal injury, Fernandes hasn't hit the same giddy heights of last year for Benfica. Gedson hasn't actually been able to play that much football either, featuring in fewer than half of the Eagles' fixtures.

In that time, the attack-minded midfielder hasn't been able to impose himself on games in the same manner as last year. He has only recorded one assist, without being able to hit the back of the net at all. However, performances last year were so high at such a young age, Spurs fans should be excited to see what the lad can do.

São Tomé and Príncipe

While Gedson Fernandes might represent Portugal, he was born on São Tomé and Príncipe, a small island off the coast of Africa and a former colony of Portugal, hence their ties to the Iberian country.

The political and civil ties between the two countries are strong, which led to the Fernandes family moving to a district known as Frielas within Lisbon. His performances for SC Freilas led to a tug of war between Sporting and Benfica for his signature. São Tomé and Príncipe will now have two famous sons in the Premier League, with Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo the other.

Option To Buy

The deal for Fernandes is an 18-month loan, that comes with an option to buy. While the final figure has ranged from £56m to £65m, it is evident that it will be a figure upward of the £50m mark. So highly regarded is Fernandes by Benfica, the club signed him to a much bigger contract this summer, with a release clause of £135m.

It's interesting that Benfica would let a player that is clearly so well thought of leave the club on loan without proper remuneration.

Snubbed Chelsea & West Ham

Gedson took no time at all in endearing himself to his new fans as he snubbed Chelsea and West Ham, choosing Spurs over their London rivals. The allure of playing under Portugal's greatest ever manager proved too strong for the 21-year-old.

Already capped twice by the Portuguese national team, expect Fernandes to slot into Sissoko's role as his box-to-box style almost mirrors the Frenchman's game.

Source : 90min