8 assists in 9 earns Arsenal loanee international debut

Daily Cannon

Sat, Nov 9, 2024, 7:01 a.m.·3 min read

8 assists in 9 earns Arsenal loanee international debut

Nuno Tavares‘ impressive season has been rewarded with a senior international call-up for Portugal in which he will get his first cap.

The Arsenal loanee, currently plying his trade at Lazio, has been turning heads with a series of standout performances, and national team manager Roberto Martínez has taken notice.

ROME, ITALY: Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa at Stadio Olimpico on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Marco Rosi - SS Lazio/Getty Images) — ROME, ITALY: Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa at Stadio Olimpico on October 27, 2024. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

Tavares, who joined Lazio on loan in the summer, has been nothing short of spectacular. He has registered eight assists this season, putting him at the top of the assists chart across Europe’s top five leagues.

Most recently, Tavares set up another goal for Lazio in their 5-1 victory against Como 1907, managed by former Arsenal player Cesc Fabregas. Despite being sent off later in the match, Tavares’ impact in the game was undeniable.

Roberto Martínez, when announcing the squad, described Tavares as an “easy to understand” choice due to his “special characteristics” and remarkable form.

Martínez, who has been keen to introduce new talent into the Portuguese setup, highlighted Tavares’ potential to bring something unique to the squad. “He had a spectacular start to the season with Lazio and is a very interesting player for the national team,” Martínez said.

defence focused on the future Coach promotes Nuno Tavares’ debut and Tiago Djaló's return in a squad without injured Rúben Dias: “we need to be able to win without him” Record, 9 Nov 2024 Tiago Djaló Nuno Tavares (Lazio) is set to make his debut, while Tiago Djaló (FC Porto) returns to the squad as part of Roberto Martínez's 26-man selection for the upcoming matches against Poland (15 November, Estádio do Dragão) and Croatia (18 November, Split), which conclude Group A1 of the Nations League. Announcing his selection, Martínez explained the inclusion of the two defenders. On Tiago Djaló, whose first call-up came in March 2022 under Fernando Santos as a replacement for Pepe (who had tested positive for Covid-19), Martínez described him as “a very interesting centre-back.” “We’ve been tracking him since his time at Lille. He had the injury setback, but he has the physicality and could be crucial,” Martínez said, with an eye towards the future. “Players like Tiago are vital for the future, and we need to start preparing him now.” Regarding Nuno Tavares, Martínez called it an "easy decision": “He has special characteristics, had a spectacular start to the season, and is a very interesting player for the national team.” With Diogo Jota, Rúben Neves, and Rúben Dias unavailable due to injuries, Martínez underlined the importance of the defensive centre in the national setup and referenced Pepe: “In the last three months, we’ve lost 200 caps in defence, first with Pepe’s departure and now Rúben’s injury,” he noted. He added, “Renato Veiga and Tomás Araújo were already with us in October. It’s a good opportunity to give new players experience.” On the absence of Manchester City's Rúben Dias, Martínez admitted it would be a challenge: “Rúben provides leadership, communication, and acts like a coach on the pitch. He’s a key player for us, helping the younger players and managing the defensive line, but we have to accept this challenge and find a way to win without him.” win and grow Portugal currently lead the group and need only a point to qualify for the quarter-finals, but Martínez is aiming for victory in both matches. “We want to build on our previous performances. We have 26 players available, and we can manage the workload and effort, but our focus is on winning both games, getting all six points, and continuing to grow,” he added. — Defence focused on the future – **Coach promotes Nuno Tavares’ debut** and Tiago Djaló’s return in a squad without injured Rúben Dias: “we need to be able to win without him” Record 9 November 2024

Tavares will join up with the Portuguese squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against Poland and Croatia, as they aim to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Portugal only need one point to progress, but Martínez has made it clear that the team is aiming for maximum points to continue building momentum.

With key players like Rúben Dias, Rúben Neves, and Diogo Jota all out injured, Martínez emphasised the importance of being adaptable and using this opportunity to test new players. “We have to accept this challenge and find a way to win without him,” said Martínez, acknowledging the void left by the absence of Manchester City’s Rúben Dias.

ROME, ITALY - AUGUST 31: Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on August 31, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) — ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on August 31, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

Tavares’ loan deal with Lazio includes an obligation to buy for €9m (£7.6m) provided certain conditions are met, likely involving appearances. With his value now at €15m and rising, that seems like a bargain.

So, it is no wonder that Lazio president Claudio Lotito has already indicated his desire to make the move permanent, stating that he would not consider selling Tavares even for €70m.

Arsenal have also inserted a sell-on clause worth over 25% of any future transfer fee, ensuring they will benefit financially from any Tavares sale.

With this call-up, Tavares has a chance to prove himself on the international stage and solidify his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting left-backs, something he sadly only showed glimpses of doing at Arsenal.