Winger Otavio put in an impressive showing for Portugal last night, amid speculation Newcastle United are interested in the player.
The star was celebrating last night, after Portugal sealed qualification for the World Cup finals in Qatar.
Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was on target twice at Estadio do Dragao, to help Portugal reach a sixth straight finals.
There was certainly potential for an upset, with North Macedonia eliminating Italy just days before.
But it was a professional performance from Portugal, whose quality was just too much in the end.
Otavio was starting again after he scored in the 3-1 win over Turkey.
The 27-year-old featured in attack along with Diogo Jota and Cristiano Ronaldo.
In recent days, Otavio has been linked with a move to Newcastle. A Bola claimed the Magpies are one of three Premier League sides to have identified the Porto man ahead of the summer window.
So it was going to be interesting to see how he got on.
And Otavio was good, and impressively industrious.
He made five tackles which was the most of anybody, and he also won 14/17 duels which, again, was the most of any player (via Sofascore).
He was also pretty good on the ball, completing 28/33 (85%) passes. Three of those were ‘key’ passes.
It was a display that perhaps suggests him as being a good fit at Newcastle under Eddie Howe.
Eddie Howe would love workhorse winger Otavio at Newcastle
Not only is Otavio a creative spark, but he works extremely hard when he takes to the field.
Last night he was everywhere for Fernando Santos’ side, and it just makes things so much easier when you have a player like that.
Howe places huge emphasis on pressing and working hard.
He has raised the intensity levels a lot since he came to the club.
Otavio is a player that could potentially thrive under his management.
Depending on how much Porto want for him, Newcastle should be ready to make some enquiries this summer.
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