While no more than a dark horse in World Cup betting, Portugal have a squad loaded with elite-level talent. All positions have players of Champions League calibre, leaving Fernando Santos spoilt for choice.
Favoured to progress from what is a favourable group, Portugal have the upside to be a factor in live betting late in the tournament. With such talent, though, comes some challenging selection decisions for Santos.
Here are five Portugal players to keep an eye on at this winter’s World Cup.
Bernardo Silva
Rumours of a Manchester City departure never materialised in the summer.
Instead, Bernardo Silva has remained a vital cog in Pep Guardiola’s machine, starting 10 Premier League games as of Halloween and registering five assists in the process.
Santos could push Silva into the front three. He is unlikely to start with Bruno Fernandes in the midfield three. There is a chance he’s nudged to a substitute role, but even so, the Manchester City playmaker will have a massive role to play.
🗣️ “It’s good to be able to count on him.”
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 24, 2022
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias on playing with Bernardo Silva. 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/hDTiQNhOsN
Joao Cancelo
Often used on the left of defence at club level, Joao Cancelo is first-choice right-back for Os Navegadores.
Cancelo’s role is more like that of a conventional full-back under Santos compared to the demands of Guardiola, but his talents as a creator are still going to be vital.
Having a goal and assist threat from full-back creates more problems for opponents, and Cancelo is able to open up space for his teammates by stretching the field.
Rafael Leão
Rafael Leão should have been in the XI even if Diogo Jota was fit. With the Liverpool man out, Leão’s spot shouldn’t be subject to debate. The Milan winger is a relentless, direct dribbler with more than an eye for goal.
He averages almost five shots per 90 in Serie A this term, along with some gaudy dribbling numbers. Leão is an X-factor for Portugal in Qatar.
Bruno Fernandes
With the highest market value of any Portuguese player, the spotlight will be on Bruno Fernandes this winter.
After a scorching start to his Manchester United career, Fernandes has regressed since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and has seen his role change under the leadership of Erik ten Hag at club level.
For all his critics, Fernandes is a player with match-winning ability. If he hits form at the right time, he could be the difference between an early flight home and a run to the latter stages.
Bruno Fernandes 👀#MUFC pic.twitter.com/q6x2cMUKEQ
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 25, 2022
Nuno Mendes
Starter of three of six matches at left-back since the end of last season, Nuno Mendes is expected to be Portugal’s first-choice on the left-side of defence in Qatar.
Marco Rui and Raphael Guerreiro are more experienced options, but neither can match Mendes’ overall skillset.
Not 21 until next June, Mendes plays with the fearlessness of youth, possessing pace and skill to aid the attack down the left flank.
His energy is invaluable for recovery runs, and that mobility could be useful alongside some slow central defenders. He might already have made his big move to PSG, but Mendes has breakout potential this winter.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 2nd November 2022
