Portugal might very properly be one of many darkish horses of the 2024 European Championship.
One could hope that Diogo Jota will play a big half in any success Roberto Martinez’s males expertise within the match. Nonetheless, Vitinha may even greater than possible be integral to how far the nation progresses.
The 24-year-old holding midfielder secured the Participant of the Match award following Portugal’s 2-1 comeback win over Czech Republic within the group stage.
🥇🇵🇹 UEFA Participant of the Match for Portugal vs Czech Republic: Vitinha. pic.twitter.com/Ys4uXw5i1X
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 18, 2024
A removed from shocking early accomplishment given the numbers the PSG star put down in Portugal’s opening conflict in Germany (courtesy of @StatmanDave on X).
Vitinha’ sport by numbers vs. Czech Republic:
112 touches (most)
100% duels gained (6/6)
100% tackles gained
100% dribbles accomplished
95% move accuracy
89/91 passes accomplished
2 key passesGoing to be top-of-the-line DMs at Euro 2024. 💪🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/lwvBYdfRS0
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 18, 2024
Comply with Empire of the Kop on Instagram (@empireofthekop) HERE
Liverpool had been understood to carry some curiosity within the footballer who beforehand performed with Luis Diaz at FC Porto.
READ MORE: Arne Slot weighs in on large behind-the-scenes Liverpool change after Klopp exit
READ MORE: ‘He gave me…’: What Jurgen Klopp instructed Arne Slot about taking on the Liverpool job
Liverpool must fork out a giant payment for Vitinha
It’s one factor making an attempt to signal a formidable European expertise from PSG – and fairly one other making an attempt to signal such a participant after the Ligue 1 outfit has change into financially unburdened by the departure of Kylian Mbappe.
Count on the French champions to probably triple the £34m they initially paid Porto for Vitinha’s signature again in 2022.
Doubtlessly much more so if the Portuguese worldwide can replicate his efficiency towards Czech Republic over the course of the Euros.
Vitinha is a statistical monster
Let’s not be modest. The 24-year-old is some expertise.
So far as FBref is worried, the previous Primeira Liga participant is without doubt one of the most enjoyable midfield abilities in world soccer at this second.
He’s extremely dependable with the ball (rating within the 93rd percentile for move completion) and may be trusted to progress play as a ball provider (88th percentile for profitable take-ons).
Add on high of that the very fact he’s a lethal ball-winner in the course of the park, snuffing out hazard every time it arises, and also you’ve acquired fairly the holding midfield package deal in Vitinha.
Sadly for Liverpool, we reckon he’ll be utterly out of our price-range.
EOTK Shut-up with John Welsh: ‘a neighborhood lad who lived his dream’ and Slot’s LFC predictions