Bruno Fernandes

SportingCP96

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A few years ago i started a thread on William Carvalho when he was heavily linked to Manchester United so i decided to do another one on another of Sporting Clube De Portugal top talents. This one being Bruno Fernandes, I was deciding on whether to do a thread on Gelson Martins or Bruno or maybe even but I figured A lot of you already know about Gelson on here but not many threads or posts on Bruno and since I love discussing young top talent and football in general here we go.


Bruno Fernandes was bought by Sporting from Udinese last summer for a fee of 8M the Portuguese midfielder had played in a little over 100 or so more games in the Italian top flight. He arrived as a player looked to eventually replace the soon Departing Adrien Silva. He has been one of Sportings 3 key players this season and along with Gelson are the two most talented players in the Sporting lineup i would say. Bruno has scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists so far this season and could be a hot target for some clubs this summer though i presume he will stay at Sporting for another season. His best quality's are his long shot ability and his ability to pick out a pass. He has a strong shot and a high football IQ and most likely will be in the Portugal squad this summer. He plays best as a number 10 though Jorge Jesus has played him at the RM position on a few occasions this season (similar to where Joao mario played in the 15/16 season). If anyone watches a Sporting game in the Europa League or even the Liga NOS keep an eye out for this young Sporting talent.

As Always here is a few of his videos.

 
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izec

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I watched him in the U21 Euros last summer.

Why did he go from Seria A to Sporting? Isnt that a step down?
 

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I watched him in the U21 Euros this summer.

Why did he go from Seria A to Sporting? Isnt that a step down?
In league yes but In Sporting he would get noticed A lot more then playing for a midtable club in Serie A. I think he flew under the radar from the bigger clubs in Italy but at a club like Sporting he can really refine his talent and take his game to a higher level especially with Sporting being able to give him European football on a consistent basis.
 

Yagami

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Seen a bit of Sporting CP this year and he always stands out for me. Another Sporting youth talent in Matheus Pereira on loan at Chaves looks good, too.
 

SportingCP96

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Seen a bit of Sporting CP this year and he always stands out for me. Another Sporting youth talent in Matheus Pereira on loan at Chaves looks good, too.
Matheus is a talented player but I am not as convinced he will make it to the top as for example another young player bursting on to the scene in Rafael Leao.
 

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Matheus is a talented player but I am not as convinced he will make it to the top as for example another young player bursting on to the scene in Rafael Leao.
You are not convinced? I am. I'm also convinced that Jorge Jesus is a freakin idiot who preferes has beens like Bryan Ruiz or awful players like Bruno César. JJ can't manage youth talent for shite. Because of his genius, we basically lack any kind of creativity when Gelson is out. Matheus Pereira will come good, if he gets a string of games, with a consistent approach and with proper management.

Bruno Fernandes is my favourite Sporting player. The ammount of great goals he scored this year is insane. His work ethic and approach to games is also top notch. Sooner or later he will move on because he's too good for this league.
 

Yagami

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Matheus is a talented player but I am not as convinced he will make it to the top as for example another young player bursting on to the scene in Rafael Leao.
Can't say I've seen any of R.Leao so I can't compare the two. Who knows with young players, though. I watch our youth team a lot and I'd have never of predicted McTominay to have the success he's had this year, and I do think Matheus is impressing at Chaves.
 

SportingCP96

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Can't say I've seen any of R.Leao so I can't compare the two. Who knows with young players, though. I watch our youth team a lot and I'd have never of predicted McTominay to have the success he's had this year, and I do think Matheus is impressing at Chaves.
I agree he is impressing i just don’t know if he will “make it “ similar to Iuri at Sporting.
 

SportingCP96

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You are not convinced? I am. I'm also convinced that Jorge Jesus is a freakin idiot who preferes has beens like Bryan Ruiz or awful players like Bruno César. JJ can't manage youth talent for shite. Because of his genius, we basically lack any kind of creativity when Gelson is out. Matheus Pereira will come good, if he gets a string of games, with a consistent approach and with proper management.

Bruno Fernandes is my favourite Sporting player. The ammount of great goals he scored this year is insane. His work ethic and approach to games is also top notch. Sooner or later he will move on because he's too good for this league.
Happy to see you reply again sly! Don’t know if you remember me aha . As for what you said I agree Bryan Ruiz and Bruno Cesar should be no where near the first team but JJ likes tactical players it’s his kind of management I agree and disagree with it. As for JJ can’t manage young talent he did bring about Gelson Martins and Rafael now and for half a season a good Ruben semedo. As for Matheus I think he is very talented but as I posted a few minutes ago I’m afraid he might fall into the same like as Iuri who is also very talented but could not make it as Sporting .
 

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Can't say I've seen any of R.Leao so I can't compare the two. Who knows with young players, though. I watch our youth team a lot and I'd have never of predicted McTominay to have the success he's had this year, and I do think Matheus is impressing at Chaves.
Rafael Leão is a 18 year old players from our academy. He has been playing in some games for our senior team when Bas Dost or Doumbia get injured. He had some minutes in the Portuguese cup and scored. Then Jesus gave him more mins some months later and he assisted Gelson for the winning goal in our match against Moreirense. Finally this Friday, he subbed Doumbia injured around the 30 mins and scored in a big match against Porto. One of the youngest to ever score in a game between the two bigs. He has alot of potencial. Good technic and physically strong. He was a stand out talent in the youth champions league this year. There are some reports that City and United have him shortlisted.
 

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Some papers claiming we are going to buy Leao recently.
Just talk I believe . I don’t see Leao leaving anytime soon he is not ready for a team like United yet and he needs to impose himself at Sporting first.
 

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Happy to see you reply again sly! Don’t know if you remember me aha . As for what you said I agree Bryan Ruiz and Bruno Cesar should be no where near the first team but JJ likes tactical players it’s his kind of management I agree and disagree with it. As for JJ can’t manage young talent he did bring about Gelson Martins and Rafael now and for half a season a good Ruben semedo. As for Matheus I think he is very talented but as I posted a few minutes ago I’m afraid he might fall into the same like as Iuri who is also very talented but could not make it as Sporting .
Hey mate. Yeah i remember you. Welcome back. JJ gave a chance to Gelson? It wasn't hard to figure it out anyways, he's a class player. Leão has been getting chances but just because Dost and Doumbia keep getting injured. He obviously has quality but i don't know if JJ would give him chances if it wasn't for the injuries. I actually think Matheus will return next year. He has been very good for Chaves and deserves a chance. And if Sporting end up selling Gelson then i think he could be the replacement. I like Matheus alot so i hope he gets a decent chance to prove himself.
 

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Rafael Leão is a 18 year old players from our academy. He has been playing in some games for our senior team when Bas Dost or Doumbia get injured. He had some minutes in the Portuguese cup and scored. Then Jesus gave him more mins some months later and he assisted Gelson for the winning goal in our match against Moreirense. Finally this Friday, he subbed Doumbia injured around the 30 mins and scored in a big match against Porto. One of the youngest to ever score in a game between the two bigs. He has alot of potencial. Good technic and physically strong. He was a stand out talent in the youth champions league this year. There are some reports that City and United have him shortlisted.
Thanks for the info! I don't have time to catch much Portuguese football but I do occasionally catch a game so I'll have to keep an eye out for him.
 

SportingCP96

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Hey mate. Yeah i remember you. Welcome back. JJ gave a chance to Gelson? It wasn't hard to figure it out anyways, he's a class player. Leão has been getting chances but just because Dost and Doumbia keep getting injured. He obviously has quality but i don't know if JJ would give him chances if it wasn't for the injuries. I actually think Matheus will return next year. He has been very good for Chaves and deserves a chance. And if Sporting end up selling Gelson then i think he could be the replacement. I like Matheus alot so i hope he gets a decent chance to prove himself.
Of course he did he promoted him to the first team in 15/16 and I think Matheus will return too I just hope he don’t shy away from the opportunity like Iuri Matheus seems to be a player who needs freedom and needs to be loved . As for Gelson being sold I think that depends on if we qualify for the Champions league .
 

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Best player today vs Plzen impossible that he will not be called to the World Cup.
 

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Truly a class above the rest today. Got one assist in a dominating performance and probably should have got a goal too. He just oozes class really excited for what the future hold for him. Also shout out to Fredy Montero for his 2 goals today and Fabio Coentrao I hope we can keep him after this season.
 

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i've watched a lot of pre-season games the past 2 seasons and the only youngster that convinced me was Daniel Podence. Rafael Leao, I watched him some games in the Youth CL and his first team games is for me a sure thing to have in the squad for 2019 - 2020. Matheus I think he has to improve his defensive skills. But when he has the ball you know that there might happen something.

I hope to see the other Gelson in action the coming games.

Bruno Fernandes is our best buy from the season and I think what he did at Sporting this year is enough to earn a spot in the selection for Russia, Matthieu and Coentrao did also a good job.
 
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Truly a class above the rest today. Got one assist in a dominating performance and probably should have got a goal too. He just oozes class really excited for what the future hold for him. Also shout out to Fredy Montero for his 2 goals today and Fabio Coentrao I hope we can keep him after this season.
Good to see Montero playing well. He was pretty average last season in MLS
 

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Good to see Montero playing well. He was pretty average last season in MLS
You can tell Montero loves the club and I personally like Montero as a player. He is lazy and is off a lot of times but when he turns that switch on he’s great to watch. Good passing ability and a good shot on him. Will always thank him for that goal against Braga in the final. I know he will never play as good as he did for half of the 2013/14 season but he can still score 15 goals a season I reckon.
 

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Reports in the Portuguese media today namely Journal A bola are reporting that United are advancing with Sporting and Portuguese starlet Bruno Fernandes. I wrote a description about him last year in this thread above ( updated video above). As for this season his game has increased to another level. He is Sporting's captain and has many leadership qualities he has 22 goals and 11 assists so far this season and is the best player in the Portuguese league. Sporting are in a not so good financial situation and are run by an incompetent president so I have no doubt if United wanted too they can pick him for relatively cheap in todays market. In a terrible season for Sporting he is the only bright spot and his quite literally carrying the team on his back.

He is a #10 with an eye for goal, he has a fantastic ability to shoot from distance and he can shoot an absolute rocket. He also loves getting into the box for goals and has quite an engine on him. Also have a tactical analysis video on him below and a video show casing his long shot ability.




 

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Reports in the Portuguese media today namely Journal A bola are reporting that United are advancing with Sporting and Portuguese starlet Bruno Fernandes. I wrote a description about him last year in this thread above ( updated video above). As for this season his game has increased to another level. He is Sporting's captain and has many leadership qualities he has 22 goals and 11 assists so far this season and is the best player in the Portuguese league. Sporting are in a not so good financial situation and are run by an incompetent president so I have no doubt if United wanted too they can pick him for relatively cheap in todays market. In a terrible season for Sporting he is the only bright spot and his quite literally carrying the team on his back.

He is a #10 with an eye for goal, he has a fantastic ability to shoot from distance and he can shoot an absolute rocket. He also loves getting into the box for goals and has quite an engine on him. Also have a tactical analysis video on him below and a video show casing his long shot ability.




Where will he play at United? Can he play as the right of the 3 attacking players behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 system?

-----------------Rashford--------------------
Martial---------Pogba----------Fernandes
 

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He is a #10 with an eye for goal, he has a fantastic ability to shoot from distance and he can shoot an absolute rocket. He also loves getting into the box for goals and has quite an engine on him. Also have a tactical analysis video on him below and a video show casing his long shot ability.
How is his pressing and ball winning? Think he can play as an 8 or a right sided CAM?
 

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Where will he play at United? Can he play as the right of the 3 attacking players behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 system?

-----------------Rashford--------------------
Martial---------Pogba----------Fernandes
I mean if United are really interested then they have to change it up a bit. Putting Fernandes at the right is nullifying his arsenal of quality predominantly his long shot ability. This guy can unlock a tuff game with a shot from 30 yards. I would probably put Pogba more back in a 4-2-3-1 formation with license to move forward while having one true DM to break up play in the middle of the park. Fernandes drops back a lot too so I can see him and Pogba constantly switching positions with each other throughout a game.

Keep Fernandes in the middle. You put him out wide you take him out the game.
 

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Would be a weird signing. Not quite a striker, not quite a midfielder and definitely not an option out right? Yeah, I don't think there is anything in this.
 

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How is his pressing and ball winning? Think he can play as an 8 or a right sided CAM?
As I mentioned in the post above Fernandes has an engine on him he tracks back a lot and has no problem helping to win the ball back. He is leader as well for a guy so young and has been carrying a heavy load at a big club.

As a right sided cam I think you take him out of the game. As an 8 I can see maybe but he will always push up a lot he likes to get close to goal as shown this season with his 22 goals. I would not be surprised to see him hit 30 goals and he is not even a striker which makes that absurd. I see Pogba playing as an 8. and Fernandes as a 10 as we have seen Pogba play there before. Though he would have a license to move up and interchange with Fernandes.
 

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Would be a weird signing. Not quite a striker, not quite a midfielder and definitely not an option out right? Yeah, I don't think there is anything in this.
He for sure is a midfielder but with an eye for goal. A large chunk of his goals are shots from outside of the box. I could see him as a #10 at United.

Do I think it is the most important position for United to worry about this summer? probably not.
 

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@SportingCP96 Don't get me wrong but a Bola is far from being reliable this days, such as Record, better not even mention Correio da Manhã. The only reliable newspaper here I would give some credibility regarding transfers is "O Jogo".

I like Bruno but his best position is a number 10, so don't see any sort of credibility on that, most probably is something done as usual. Use Manchester United name to promote a player who his agent or the club want or need to sell.

A classic. Who can forget the 22222 times Gaitan was linked to United. Don't fall on that trap, can't see a club like United searching for someone on that role. Would he play as a 10? Would he start? Would he be good enough?

Don't think so.
 

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Quality player. Would he fit with us? Only if Ander is moved into Matic's position as deepest CM.

He's played 15 times in the league attacking from CM (usually a 3) but he does also make a decent amount of tackles which differentiates him from Pogba. Ander was used in the hole before we signed him
 

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@SportingCP96 Don't get me wrong but a Bola is far from being reliable this days, such as Record, better not even mention Correio da Manhã. The only reliable newspaper here I would give some credibility regarding transfers is "O Jogo".

I like Bruno but his best position is a number 10, so don't see any sort of credibility on that, most probably is something done as usual. Use Manchester United name to promote a player who his agent or the club want or need to sell.

A classic. Who can forget the 22222 times Gaitan was linked to United. Don't fall on that trap, can't see a club like United searching for someone on that role. Would he play as a 10? Would he start? Would he be good enough?

Don't think so.
I think he has the quality I just don't think it is a position United need to focus on they have other problems they need to fill first.
 

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I think he has the quality I just don't think it is a position United need to focus on they have other problems they need to fill first.
I agree with this.

After you mentioned that I went to see if Jogo mentioned that and on their cover they didn't mentioned any club in particular but as I predicted this is just to prepare the end of the season.

They said he is valued on 35 million euros to leave. As usual Sporting forum on self implode mode, but forgetting United aside, I don't want to see anymore players here against their wish because the club wants to do a great business.

If the fee is reasonable sell and move on because we all know how it went when BDC tried to keep the players too long. His intentions were good but honestly the attack on the Academy was the biggest scam used by everyone to leave. And I am going to stop here.
 

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I think he has the quality I just don't think it is a position United need to focus on they have other problems they need to fill first.
Hard to tell from a few YT clips. I do think we need a creative player next to Pogba in our midfield. But he would have to be close to world class (or with potential to become world class).

I do not know Fernandes, but his stats are insane and his YT clips is impressive. I would probably prefer someone younger and (maybe?) with a higher ceiling.
 

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We do need a credible alternative to Pogba when he's out so would be all for signing this guy for squad depth!
 

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He’s just about the most perfect Pogba back-up there is out there. Would love for us to get him if he’s content competing for a spot.
 

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If we sign him, he will either play as an 8, where Herrera is and Herrera will move to the 6 spot or he will rotate with Pogba for the more advanced midfield position and the same with Herrera, basically taking over what Fred was supposed to do and be actually good enough to make an impact in midfield. I would go for a more defensive midfielder, but having someone that could shine offensively instead of Pogba would be great too. If he is available on the cheap, it would be time to act now, but i doubt we will go for a midfielder this summer. I see our priorities in a fullback, CB and RW.
 

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We do need a credible alternative to Pogba when he's out so would be all for signing this guy for squad depth!
Not only an alternative. We need a more creative partner. City play with KdB and D. Silva or B. Silva. Spurs have used Alli and Eriksen. A player similar to Pogba, with good tactical awareness, would give us options!
 

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----Gueye----
Bruno - Pogba

If we could get a proper defensive midfielder, we could play with two more advanced midfielders, like City sometimes do.
Can't see us signing two midfielders though
 

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Like I said in other thread about how Ole seems to play with false 9/free roam often, even under Modle, If he sees Fernandes as the perfect players for this role, he'll be behind two wide strikers like Rashford and Martial but on paper/defending, it's 4-3-3 as he'd be RW in defending and provide support for fullback in defending. If Pogba gets injured, Fernandes could take over that role and play our attacking squad player on RW.
 

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Hard to tell from a few YT clips. I do think we need a creative player next to Pogba in our midfield. But he would have to be close to world class (or with potential to become world class).

I do not know Fernandes, but his stats are insane and his YT clips is impressive. I would probably prefer someone younger and (maybe?) with a higher ceiling.
He is 24 so still young and personally I think he has the ability to be world class like I said he is the best player in the league and getting these numbers around players who have no business being in Sporting.

I can see him playing a similar role that De Bruyne plays for city in the middle of the park and turning into a very good premier league player. With that being said he won't reach a ceiling close to De Bruyne I don't think.
 

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----Gueye----
Bruno - Pogba

If we could get a proper defensive midfielder, we could play with two more advanced midfielders, like City sometimes do.
Can't see us signing two midfielders though
Thats what I said above with Fernandes and Pogba interchanging between playing more advanced. Both of them also put a shift in midfield can score goals and provide even more option when attacking. His ability to let fly from distance is very underrated because it can unlock the most stubborn of games and force the keeper to make a difficult save which puts the ball in a good situation for the striker.