Arriving at Lazio this summer in the form of a season-long loan with an option to buy, Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares is shining, to the point of presenting himself as the current best passer in the major European championships.
For the moment, no one else has shown themselves capable of achieving such a performance in Europe. Since the start of the season, Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares has continued to impress everyone with a string of good performances, but especially assists. After eight appearances in the league, the former Olympique de Marseille player has delivered as many passes directly leading to a goal.
Nuno Tavares impresses in Rome
8 assists in 8 appearances: these are the statistics presented by Nuno Tavares at the start of the season. Arriving this summer at Lazio, in the form of a loan from Arsenal, the Portuguese left-back is, therefore, neither more nor less than the best passer in the five major championships at the start of the season. He is notably ahead of his former teammate Bukayo Saka, author of 7 assists with Arsenal, or even Raphinha who delivered as many in the ranks of Barça.
A surprising feat, which even pushes the management of Lazio to consider a long-term future with Nuno Tavares. While he has a compulsory purchase option valued at 12 million euros in his loan contract, the Portuguese player was recently able to see the president of Lazio ignite following his excellent start to the season. “I wouldn't sell Nuno Tavares, even for 70 million euros”declared Claudio Lotito, visibly satisfied with his summer find.
Aux portes de la Seleção?
Displaying such statistics, the 24-year-old left-back inevitably aroused the interest of Portuguese coach Roberto Martinez at the start of the season. Indeed, according to the Portuguese press, Nuno Tavares is expected to soon make his first appearance in the main group of the national team, after appearing 16 times in the U21 ranks.
The name of Nuno Tavares could therefore be one of 26 that Roberto Martinez will cite on November 8, when it comes to revealing the Portuguese internationals who will defend the colors of the Seleção against Poland and Croatia, in the Nations League. Until then, the left-back will have very few opportunities to express himself: this Wednesday, against Como, the 24-year-old was sent off for having received a second yellow card. A sanction which will prevent him from taking part in the next championship match, against Cagliari.
(Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Alexandre Ribeiro launched the Trivela.fr site in 2019 and today runs it alongside his colleagues. Passionate about Portuguese football as a whole, and in particular the Portuguese national team, it is with all his energy and involvement that he brings this media to life on a daily basis.
