One’s Trash, Another’s Treasure – Valencia Gem Goncalo Guedes Outshining Neymar and Mbappe

Two of the world’s most expensive players – one for which the Paris Saint-Germain forked out mind-boggling €222 million – Neymar and Mbappe – who is likely to command a similarly whopping fee in excess of €180 million once his season-long loan from AS Monaco expires – have been grabbing plenty of football attention this season.

Future Ballon d’Or hopefuls are both proving to be a wise investment from the wealthy Watari owner of the French giants.

The total of 11 goals from Neymar and 4 from Mbappe across all competitions thus far in the campaign are painting just a part of the whole picture. Paris Saint-Germain have gained much more in the marketing sense of the word. Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are the two leading figures in the entire Ligue 1 and are once again putting PSG under Europe’s focus as French giants rush towards their biggest dream – the Champions League.

Sacrifices are required in order to achieve your dreams and in PSG’s case it was Goncalo Guedes who had to make way and accommodate the arrivals of Neymar and Mbappe.

And in Guedes’ case the sacrifice turned him into a saint and a player currently outshining both of the players he was sold because of.

One’s Trash, Another’s Treasure

It’s a statement that perfectly illustrates the faith of the 20-year-old Portuguese starlet.

Brought up to prominence by Benfica’s renowned football school, Goncalo Guedes first caught the attention of great French club in the UEFA Youth League, when he ran riot across the talented French side.

PSG did not wait too long before pouncing on one of the most talented young men in world football, grabbing him in a €30 million deal in January 2017. The French giants went to extreme lengths to grab their man, fighting away the interest from Manchester United along the way.

A half-season later and one of the most promising football starlets in the entire continent found himself being pushed out of the club. It must have been a huge blow to a young impressionable mind, knowing that your club wants to replace you after only a couple of months.

Guedes wasted no tears over his football fortunes but embraced the new challenge instead.

Valencia Rebirth

There is some symbolism in the fortunes of once a great Spanish club Valencia and one of the most promising football talents in Europe, with their reputation hanging on the ropes in the summer of 2017.

Having somehow clawed up to the 12^th-place finish in La Liga last season, Valencia were determined to get back to winning ways and rise back on their feet as one of Spain’s biggest clubs that they are.

Valencia owner Peter Lim approached his good friend Nasser Al-Khelaifi and received a promise that Goncalo Guedes will be sent to Valencia as soon as Neymar sets foot in Paris. Valencia’s pursuit of the Portuguese talent turned up to be a protracted one due to the delicate details of the Brazilian’s world-record transfer but it all ended well for Los Che. And for the player himself.

Guedes left Paris without much fanfare, packing his bags for a season-long deal on a promise from PSG head coach Unai Emery that a move to Los Che would be good for him.

Nine matches in all competitions later Guedes find Emery’s promise to be true.

Sizzling Form

Guedes might have only scored three goals for the Spanish side this season, but his performances have been dazzling to say the least.

Packed with power and desire to show the world what he can do, the 20-year-old Portuguese is a joy to behold. A versatile forward is a streak of magic, creativity and genius in a rather exciting Valencia side.

The most remarkable aspect of Goncalo Guedes’ form is his unrelenting sense of self-belief. Oozing confidence and authority, a boy of 20 is commanding the Valencia forces forward with such power and strength that it’s somewhat unbelievable to comprehend.

Goncalo Guedes will dazzle you with his fast-paced dribbles and the ability to beat opposition with ease. Remarkable technique and eye for a pass, in combination with defence-ripping tricks of the trade come as sublime introduction to the best thing of it all – his powerfully precise finish.

With a big point to prove, the PSG outcast is a personification of his current club – reborn and with an insatiable desire to get to the top.

Guedes played a great part in helping his team to seven wins on the trot in all competitions and Los Che can thank his flying form for being installed as clear favourites at 11/21 to beat Leganes next time out and extend the formidable run.

Could anyone bet against them?