Aston Villa Are Leading The Race For This Gifted Winger: What Will He Add To Emery’s Team? | OneFootball

In a recent print edition, O Jogo stated that Aston Villa are leading the race for Sporting winger Pedro Goncalves this summer. It has been revealed that the Villans are in pole position to land the Portuguese wide player in this off-season.

Goncalves’ Impressive Form In Portuguese Football

Goncalves has experienced a brilliant campaign at Sporting as he has produced a handful of eye-catching performances on the left side of their attack. The Portuguese talent has found the back of the net on 20 occasions and secured 15 assists in 51 appearances for his current employers this season across various competitions.

The Chaves-born sensation has been a reliable performer at the Estádio José Alvalade as he is averaging 3.2 shots, 2.2 key passes, 1.1 crosses and 1.3 dribbles per 90 minutes in Liga Portugal. He has even been tidy when interchanging possession with his teammates as evidenced by his pass success rate of 81.3% in the Portuguese first division (stats via whoscored).

Goncalves’ current contract at Sporting will expire in the summer of 2026. Thus, Aston Villa will have to launch a convincing offer for him if they want to convince Sporting to sell their prized asset.

Sporting Lisbon’s Portuguese midfielder Pedro Goncalves celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Portuguese league football match between Sporting CP and FC Arouca at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on April 16, 2023. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP) (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

What Will Goncalves Add To Aston Villa Boss Unai Emery’s Team?

Goncalves is proficient at engineering space for himself to get some strikes in on-target. He has also got the eye to unlock the opponent’s defence with a killer pass in the final third. Goncalves mainly functions as a winger on the left flank but can also fill in as a right-sided wide player or play in the number ten position if told to do so.

The Portuguese wing wizard is a good dribbler with the ball as well which makes him a decent fit for Unai Emery’s brand of football at Villa Park.

We can expect Goncalves to inject more quality into Aston Villa‘s first XI and help the Villans push for a top-half finish in the Premier League next season.

Goncalves will add more goals and creativity to Emery’s defence. At 24, he has his peak years ahead of him. Hence, the Sporting wide player will be a great choice for the West Midlands club to consider during this summer transfer window.