Will Gedson Fernandes have immediate impact on Tottenham’s first team?

Gedson Fernandes is preparing for his first match with Tottenham on Saturday, but will the new addition be able to make an immediate impact on the first team? 

The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder found himself on the outside looking in at Benfica this season. Somewhat ostracized from the first team, Fernandes has made just five appearances in the Primeira Liga this season. He did suffer a metatarsal fracture in July that kept him out of the side for just over two months, but most of that time was in the summer lead up to the Primeira Liga’s commencement.

Benfica’s loss is hopefully Tottenham’s gain.

Fernandes is a highly skilled central midfield creator. While he doesn’t score at a prolific rate, Fernandes has the potential of fulfilling the total package persona. Football.London published recently a brilliant statistical analysis of the wunderkind, showcasing exactly what he contributed to Benfica during his time there.

Will Fernandes be able to immediately impact first team?

But will Fernandes be able to impact immediately proceedings in the top flight?

He is perfectly fit but lacks match sharpness. And, maybe more tellingly, Fernandes is about to experience the world’s most physically demanding and competitive league on his first move away from home. Some young foreigners take well to the rigours of the Premier League, while others are never able to live up to expectations.

While it goes without saying, match fitness can only come with match time, which Mourinho will surely provide. Fernandes offers a skill set no other midfielder at Spurs currently does, and he will assuredly get his chance in the first team; probably not from the start on Saturday but definitely soon thereafter.

His success will depend on the support of his family, teammates and fans. Even though it’s only an 18-month initial loan deal, it’s imperative Tottenham provide the talented Portuguese with the patience and understanding anyone at that impressionable age needs after moving to a wholly unfamiliar place.

It looks as though Fernandes is a consummate professional who puts career before everything else. He’ll need every ounce of that professionalism, passion and maturity to thrive in a what can be a particularly unforgiving environment.

Can he impact first team proceedings immediately? The short answer, based on his skill set, ability and character, is yes.

But will he?

Only time will tell but let’s hope so. With Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele‘s current injuries, Fernandes could be thrown into the mix quicker than he might have been otherwise.

Maybe the forthcoming baptism of fire is a blessing in disguise, as Tottenham’s faithful have high hopes of their abundantly skilled loanee.