World Cup 2018, Portugal vs Morocco: Best and Worst Players from the match

#4 Worst: Goncalo Guedes

Guedes has been mediocre in the World Cup so far

Portugal are heavily reliant on Cristiano Ronaldo, that, no one can disagree with. However, every team requires a star player to be supported with an adequate partner in attack.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, has to be always content with some aspiring young lad with him in the forward line. In Euro 2016, it was Andre Silva. Now, it is Goncalo Guedes.

Silva was originally the more preferred forward for a considerable period, but Guedes has outmuscled him into the starting XI with a strong domestic season with Valencia in the La Liga.

He adds more movement, dynamism and versatility to attack, which can be ably coupled with Ronaldo’s majestic presence on the other side.

Just, the fact that this does not seem to be working well for the team currently. Guedes has the tendency to shift wider and create space for Ronaldo and the other midfielders, but he has been poor with the possession of the ball.

His knack of taking a tad bit longer to release the ball often results in throw-ins and the team struggles to maintain a certain kind of fluidity in their offensive moves.

Guedes has been wayward with his passing during counter-attacks too, often misjudging the weight of the released ball and failing to find Ronaldo too. His lack of reliability in front of the goal is quite irritating for the Portuguese fans.

Santos can replace the lad with Silva, but the AC Milan forward is a target-man of sorts and that is something that the team cannot afford to have in their setup currently. It is certainly a matter of dilemma for the coach going into the busy stages of the tournament.