As Portugal edge towards 2018 and qualification for the World Cup, it wasn’t previously reassuring to see top Selecao prospect Goncalo Guedes struggle to get a consistent run in the first team at Paris Saint-Germain last season.
After leaving Benfica behind in January for 30 million euros, the 20-year-old forward was forced to play second fiddle behind a host of top talents in Ligue 1, a problem that was only set to deepen further given the planned signings of both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. PSG’s loss, however, is proving to be both Valencia and his nation’s gain.
Guedes is just one of many players to arrive at Mestalla this season with a point to prove. Jeison Murillo didn’t enjoy the first-team football that he may have expected at Inter Milan, with Geoffrey Kondogbia having similar trouble at San Siro in recent seasons. Gabriel Paulista had a rocky spell in the Premier League with Arsenal, while Neto was little more than Gianluigi Buffon’s shadow during his two-year spell with Juventus.
Each signing has been brought in with a particular role in mind. Marcelino sticks to a 4-4-2 system, regardless of opposition, with tweaks to roles and personnel being the only alterations to a style of play that is etched in stone. Valencia are expansive, comfortable on the ball and explosive on the counter attack, with Guedes highlighting versus Real Sociedad this weekend that they can be particularly devastating when given space to drive into on the break.
On his Los Che debut, it was immediately evident that Guedes had plenty to offer. Introduced in place of Andreas Pereira on 61 minutes against Atletico Madrid, the Portuguese youngster was deployed on the left flank, a position reserved for wide playmakers within Marcelino’s footballing blueprint. His pace and acceleration stood out, as well as his willingness to drive in possession and give full backs questions to answer. Despite having the potential to be used as a striker, Marcelino clearly saw the youngster’s talents best employed as a direct winger.
Against lesser opposition at Mestalla, the 20-year-old wide man continued to wreak havoc. Versus Malaga, he did leave his full back Toni Lato a little exposed defensively in the first half, but his marauding presence on the counter attack was electric. His final ball or split-second decision making could be put under the microscope, but the endeavour, energy and penetration he brought to Valencia’s attack was exciting and fresh.
Simone Zaza and Rodrigo have been Los Che’s go-to striking partnership, with Carlos Soler acting as a playmaker on the right-hand side of midfield. Rather than dictating play and offering a consistent final ball, as Soler does, Guedes at times plays akin to an auxiliary striker while cutting in from the left, but equally can offer width.
The Portugal international darts infield when he spots space to operate in, but is just as happy to gallop down the flank on the outside of his opponent to the byline. In a system where plenty is controlled and regulated by Marcelino, the PSG loanee offers a counter-balance of unpredictability and explosive impact, with his deeper role allowing him chance to find the time, space and opportunity to drive at opposing defensive lines.
After being slowly integrated into Marcelino’s first-team plans, courtesy of some positive minutes off the bench and a barnstorming second-half performance against a stretched Malaga, Guedes was deemed ready from the off to face Real Sociedad on Sunday evening. Los Che travelled to the Anoeta, home of a style of play that mirrors their own in its possession-orientated yet counter-attacking fundamentals.
Two fantastic assists from the Portuguese talent helped Valencia on their way to a 3-2 victory in San Sebastian, as Guedes’ pace continued to offer a new dimension to Marcelino’s desired breakaways. For both the first and third goals for the visitors, the 20-year-old was able to shake off his man to rocket down the left-hand side, before getting his head up and picking the right area to slot a well-weighted cross into.
Though the Portuguese wide man is yet to get on the scoresheet himself in Spain, his all-round contributions have helped Valencia as a collective to find their feet in terms of goals. Marcelino had doubled up on offensive training sessions of late, as well as experimented with his front two, but Guedes’ arrival on the scene has been a key factor in stretching opponents and finding pocket of space to exploit. His lack of defensive contribution is a worthwhile trade-off for now.
Just six games into the LaLiga campaign, Goncalo Guedes has staked a heavy claim for a consistent first-team role under the demanding Marcelino. Now remains the challenge of the national team, and the young forward certainly won’t be short of confidence and self belief while trying to force his way in.
