‘It is better to be here’ – Manager admits player should have never joined Spurs

Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has admitted that Gedson Fernandes should have never joined Tottenham Hotspur and remaining Benfica could have been better for the midfielder’s development.

Fernandes joined Spurs on an 18-month loan deal from Benfica in January of this year, with the North Londoners having the option to make the deal permanent for £46m.

While the Portugal Under-21 international showed glimpses of his quality in the handful of opportunities that came his way last season, his only appearance for the Lilywhites this campaign has come in the Carabao Cup.

Jose Mourinho has even admitted that Tottenham would be open to ending his loan deal prematurely and sending Fernandes back to Portugal in January (SPORT TV via The Express).

Some Spurs fans on social media have sympathised with the 21-year-old for his lack of opportunities, while others have suggested that he has not shown enough to warrant more game time.

Jesus claimed that Fernandes, as well as the other Benfica’s stalwarts on loan around Europe, might be better off staying at the Estadio da Luz rather than warming the bench at other clubs.

When asked about the midfielder’s situation, he told RTP: “As for Gedson, I don’t know him very well because he never worked with me.

“Now, all these young people that Benfica have, if they don’t play in these teams, it is better to be at Benfica. In my opinion, they learn much more (if they stay).

“If they don’t play for these teams, they might as well be at Benfica. They learn much more. Florentino (Luis) left, he is not playing [in Monaco], Jota is not playing [in Real Valladolid], Tomás Tavares is not playing [Alaves].

“If you are not going to play, it is better to be here.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Tottenham took a punt on Gedson last season because we had quite a few injuries to deal with at the time. I doubt the club ever seriously considering making the deal permanent. It appears as if he has not done enough in training to convince Jose and his coaching staff that he deserves more opportunities.

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