It’s looks as if the final few weeks of the transfer window will be a busy time for Leicester City with Enzo Maresca already eyeing his next signing. The Foxes aren’t messing around this summer; following the arrival of Italian wonder-kid, Cesare Casadei, they are set to move for another promising young talent: Tiago Gouveia.
Who is Tiago Gouveia?
If you haven’t heard Gouveia’s name before, you’d be forgiven. A relative unknown outside his native country Portugal, he has been slowly climbing the Benfica youth system since joining the European giants in 2017.
Signing when he was 16, he rose through the ranks of both Benfica and the Portuguese national team from their U15’s all the way to the U21’s. After 47 appearances for Benfica’s ‘B’ team – for whom he scored 12 goals and assisted a further four – he was finally promoted to the senior squad in 2022 before being loaned out to fellow Liga Portugal side GD Estoril Praia.
Impressing during his spell away, Gouveia is now wanted across Europe as scouts have identified his vast potential. According to The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, a very reliable source for transfer news, Leicester City are one of many Championships clubs keen on taking the young forward on a season-long loan. They face stiff competition though, as Southampton, Hull City, Watford and West Bromwich Albion are all keen on his signing.
Benfica forward Tiago Gouveia, 22, has attracted interest from several clubs in the Championship for a season-long loan. Leicester, Southampton, Hull, Watford and West Brom are among teams in the race to sign the Portugal Under-21 international. Was on loan at Estoril last season
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) August 10, 2023
Is he any good?
If you’re sceptical about Gouveia’s talent and ability, it’s understandable, but the attacker has proven he has quality within his boots. Last season, at Estoril Praia, the 22-year-old made 30 appearances as he pulled the strings in the attack.
A small glance at his overall numbers may underwhelm – he managed five goals and five assists during his loan spell – but it’s when you dive into his detailed numbers that you see his talent. In the league, he created 11 big chances and made 41 key passes across the campaign.
Not only that, but he averaged 1.4 chances created per game. Last season, the only player to achieve a higher average than that in Leicester’s squad was James Maddison (2.3). It’s clear that Gouveia is a creative force up the pitch and, if surrounded by higher quality, can produce some eye-opening numbers.
Benfica were clearly impressed with Gouveia’s progress and, following his return from loan in the summer, they penned a new deal with their future star, a deal that runs until 2028. The Eagles clearly now feel as if a loan move to a more competitive league is the next step in his development.
Where would he play at Leicester City?
One major asset of Gouveia’s is his versatility in attack. A winger by trade, he is capable of playing on either flank. As per TransferMarkt, in his career so far he has played 34 games as a left winger, whilst also making 27 appearances on the right-hand side. If needs be, he can also play as a second-striker.
Whilst his creativity may fill the gap left by Maddison’s £40m move to Tottenham Hotspur, he won’t play in his position. If he were to sign for the Foxes he would be expected to start on the right wing; fans would hope he was finally the solution to Leicester’s long-term problem on the right.
Marginally playing more games on the left of the pitch, Gouveia’s addition would also help develop the high-flying Stephy Mavididi. Having scored the winner against Huddersfield on Saturday, the winger has quickly become a fan-favourite, though competition for his place may just add a new level to his game.
Already playing three games within the first seven days of their Championship campaign, the Foxes have quickly learnt just how physically demanding the second tier is for players, therefore squad depth and versatility will be critical going deeper into the season.
If Leicester can add Gouveia to their attack, it will elevate their squad to a higher level as they aim to achieve promotion at the first time of trying. He will require patience, he is an uncut gem after all, but if Maresca can work his magic, Gouveia may just be the next superstar to play at the King Power.