Manchester United star Paul Pogba is set to leave the club this summer and Jack Grealish is expected to be the France international’s replacement.
And that could see Fernandes’ position change.
What United like most about Grealish is his creative instincts and goalscoring threat, things that are utilised best when he plays at No 10.
Currently, that role on the pitch is occupied by Fernandes.
But there’s a reason that Fernandes may end up dropping deeper into midfield, adopting the ‘Pogba role’.
Former Sporting boss Carlos Carvalhal said earlier in the season that he believed Fernandes was even better in a deeper role than an advanced one.
"He (Fernandes) is not a number 10," Carvalhal told Sky Sports. "He is a midfielder but he has developed that ability to break the line of the defence to score goals.
“He shoots, he assists, the passes and the free-kicks. But he is not a 10, he is an 8. He is a box-to-box player who understands very well the game. He doesn't just play. He understands everything that happens around him.
"He can organise the team, he can talk, he can give feedback. He is kind of like a manager on the pitch. He can organise things in the last part of the pitch. He is a really exciting player."
Source:
Express