Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gedson Fernandes faces an uphill battle to win a place in the starting XI in 2020-21 – but boss Jose Mourinho must first decide the best position to use the on-loan midfielder.
An exciting talent with a bright future, Spurs signed the 21-year-old from Benfica on an 18-month loan deal in January.
However, Fernandes has been largely limited to cameos from the Tottenham bench, with the club’s supporters yet to see the best of the Portugal international.
One of the issues that he faces at Spurs is the fact he has been utilised in a number of different positions across midfield and the attacking forward line, but is yet to claim a role as his own.
The signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg blocks one of the positions in the Tottenham midfield, while competition is intense for a place in the supporting attacking roles.
Fernandes could yet play an important role for Spurs, but first Mourinho needs to figure out how and where best to use him.
He will get the chance to impress in pre-season, with Tottenham’s first game of the summer on Saturday at home to League One side Ipswich Town.
If Fernandes can impress against the Tractor Boys and in subsequent friendlies against Reading and Birmingham City, the Spurs midfielder could yet be an important man for the club in 2020-21.