Nuno Tavares, the former Arsenal player currently playing for Lazio, has recently been praised by his coach, Gennaro Gattuso. Gattuso stated that Tavares possesses all the necessary qualities to become an outstanding footballer and deemed him worthy of playing for Real Madrid.
Reviving Tavares' career in Italy
Nuno Tavares, 26, joined Arsenal in 2021 with high hopes. However, he was unable to achieve the desired position in the team and only acted as a substitute. During his time at Arsenal, he was frequently loaned to other teams, and ultimately these transfers affected his career.
Gennaro Gattuso's comments on Tavares
Gattuso explicitly stated: "I have always said that Tavares deserves Real Madrid. He has all the necessary qualities. His speed, shooting power with both feet, and technical abilities are very special." He also mentioned Tavares' need for time to recover after matches, adding: "He needs to understand what talents he has and that he can play for years at Real Madrid."
These words are disappointing for Arsenal fans who were unable to see Tavares' best performance during his time at the club. Tavares could not establish himself as a key player at Arsenal, and reports indicate that Mikel Arteta, the former Arsenal coach, was dissatisfied with his behavior.
Tavares' challenges and criticisms
Tavares was loaned to Marseille in the 2022-23 season, but he also faced challenges there. He was sidelined from training by Igor Tudor, the head coach of Marseille, due to insufficient effort. Additionally, a direct red card in a match against Montpellier, which was heavily criticized, added to the situation.
His scoring record at Marseille, which includes six goals, seems positive, but his criticisms of Arsenal after this experience soured his relationship with the club. In one of his interviews, he said: "At Arsenal, I don't know if the problem was competing with Kieran Tierney or not, but that doesn't matter to me. I came to Marseille to play in my main position."
Tavares also referred to his efforts to secure a purchase option in his contract with Marseille, adding: "We always wanted this purchase option, but Arsenal rejected it. Now I am at Marseille and I am satisfied with this situation." The player ultimately managed to play at Marseille and continued to gain experience and improve his performance.
