Portuguese Football in English
Atletico Madrid were the biggest spenders in La Liga this summer, and the nature of the champions’ signings has cast doubt over the prospects of record signing João Félix as he nears a return to action.
Atletico have conducted a net spend exceeding €65m, with the deadline day deal for Antoine Griezmann the headline-grabbing transfer in the capital. Atletico also signed Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul (Udinese) and Brazilian forward Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin) for significant fees.
Man City midfielder Bernardo Silva was heavily linked with a move away from the Etihad this summer. The Portuguese midfielder has been a regular under Pep Guardiola since arriving from Monaco in 2017 for £45 million. Silva has made over 200 appearances for the club, scored 35 goals and provided 44 assists.
However, the 27-year-old seems to be pushing for a move. In recent weeks, Silva has been linked with AC Milan, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Arsenal. He ended up staying in Manchester when the transfer window closed, but his vibrant performance for Portugal on Wednesday against Ireland suggests he may be better off where he will be better appreciated.
Manchester United officially unveiled new signing Cristiano Ronaldo on the morning of deadline day, but it was to be youngster Nuno Mendes’ move from Sporting to Paris Saint-Germain which caught the eye as the transfer window closed on Tuesday evening.
Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford had been announced in principle late last week, but the Portugal captain finally donned the United colours for the club’s media as the deal was confirmed. Mendes meanwhile joins PSG on an initial loan deal from Alvalade, while there were also late moves for Hélder Costa, Dyego Sousa, Florentino Luís, Jota and others on a hectic final day for Portuguese.
Portugal defender Rúben Dias has been rewarded for his outstanding first season at Manchester City with a new six-year contract, tying him to the English champions until 2027.
Dias, who was recently named UEFA Champions League defender of the season for last term, has become an indispensable member of Pep Guardiola’s side since a €65m move from Benfica last September, winning the Premier League in his first season and earning numerous individual awards in England.
There is an intriguing symmetry provided through the results achieved by Portugal’s coaching representatives in the Premier League – Nuno Espírito Santo and Bruno Lage- after the opening three rounds of matches.
Both men are settling into new surroundings but with contrasting fortunes, as Nuno’s Tottenham Hotspur lead the table with three 1-0 victories, while Lage and Wolves are still yet to earn their first point and sit near the foot of the table after losing 1-0 in each of their games.
