Tottenham loanee hoping to make his first appearance in a Porto shirt on Friday.
Tottenham Hotspur brought in Souza from Brazilian side Santos in the winter transfer window to beef up their left-back options.
The youngster made a total of four appearances last season in the Premier League, including outings against Manchester United and Liverpool. The 20-year-old was expected to kick on and challenge Destiny Udogie for a starting berth in Roberto De Zerbi’s side this season. Instead, Spurs snapped up Andy Robertson on a free transfer from Liverpool, which raised question marks over Souza’s future.
Eventually, the Brazilian defender ended up leaving Spurs in the summer. Souza sealed a season-long loan move to FC Porto on August 31 to continue his development. The Portuguese champions identified Souza as the right candidate to strengthen their full-back position and brought him in.
Souza in line to play against Deportivo La Coruna
The Spurs loanee is still waiting to make his Porto debut. He hasn’t played a competitive minute since moving to Estadio do Dragao. Souza has been an unused substitute for Porto against Moreirense, Manchester City, Casa Pia and Benfica.
That doesn’t mean manager Francesco Farioli has forgotten about him. It was Farioli who pushed Porto to bring the 20-year-old from Tottenham, and the Portuguese tactician continues to help him adapt to his system. Now, with the Dragons short of left-back options, having lost Martin Fernandes to a calf injury on top of Zaidu’s adductor problem, the door has opened for the Brazilian youth international to get his first minutes.
Porto face Spanish club Deportivo La Coruna in a friendly on Friday, and Portuguese newspaper A Bola claims Souza has a strong chance of featuring from the off. It offers the Tottenham loanee a big opportunity to show Farioli he is ready for first-team minutes.
Roberto Carlos backs Souza to do well at FC Porto
Souza has also received encouragement while waiting for his opportunity at Porto. Brazil legend Roberto Carlos spoke about the 20-year-old at the Portugal Football Summit and made it clear he highly regards him, backing his compatriot to shine at the Estádio do Dragão.
“I don’t like making comparisons. He joined Porto because he has quality,” Roberto Carlos was quoted by Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.
“He played really well at Santos. Of course, he was a great signing. I’m absolutely certain he’ll deliver what they expect from him on the pitch. He’s a top-level player.”
It must be frustrating for Souza waiting for his opportunities at Porto. He has been a bench-warmer in four games, but the left-back’s first appearance is getting closer. Hopefully, the Maua-born talent is handed a start against La Coruna on Friday.
