Joao Mario started his professional career with Sporting Lisbon spending time at rivals Porto as a youngster between 2002 and 2004. Mario made his debut for Sporting on December 2011 when he came on a 78th-minute substitute in a 2-0 away defeat to Lazio.
That would be the only game that he played during the 2011/12 season before becoming a regular with the club’s B side the following season, playing 31 games, scoring once and making 11 assists. The 2013/14 season saw Mario make the step up to the first-team during the second half of the season as he made 15 appearances picking up six assists without scoring.
The following campaign saw the Portuguese midfielder play 45 times in all competitions, scoring seven goals and assisting a further five. He would make the same number of appearances and score the same amount of goals in 2015/16 while he racked up 12 assists from a number of positions.
That form coupled with some impressive displays with Portugal who won Euro 2016 convinced Inter Milan to fork out 40 million Euros plus an extra 5 million of add-ons to bring him to Italy. In his first season, he scored three goals and assisted eight in 33 appearances.
This season he has started 10 games for Inter making 5 assists in all competitions. He also scored one goal from two appearances for Portugal.
The 25-year-old is capable of playing anywhere across midfield. He is said to be confident and composed on the ball, his passing in the final third is always accurate and full of quality, evident in his 89% pass accuracy stat in Italy.
The Portuguese player likes to run at defenders. He is happy to bring the ball from deep with his powerful running or using his quick feet, good spatial awareness and is tricky to work his way out of tight spaces. A hugely impressive 78% take on percentage highlights his ability with the ball at his feet.
The Inter man is described an all-action midfield player who’s running and energy is the main part of his game and that might be the clue on why David Moyes wants him to join the Hammers on loan.
https://youtu.be/NKjqrPXd4GM
In a league nowhere near as brutal and fast as the Premier League, yet to be convinced. Of more concern is that we have only 1 fit recognised striker and need to do sth about that.
Should we take this detailed report as a hin that you’ve heard some new Hugh?
I wrote it rather than Hugh but we expect the deal to go over the line barring a problem liked a failed medical. The clubs have agreed, the player has agreed in principle so he needs to pass a medical and sign on the dotted line.
Is that going to be the only signing then Sean especially with the new injuries ??
Allegedly having agreed a deal, will be having a medical Friday. Sullivan about to press the green button on Shelvey too.
I know you shouldn’t believe everything you read but they both kinda make sense.
Sorry Sean.
Id be happy with Shelvey too he can certainly pick a pass and could be the key to Hernandez finally succeeding.
Shelvy – two read, no goals and no assists?! seriously?
two reds..
Most worries me is his attitude & work ethic which is what Inter fans complain about. But hopefully Moyes can make it work w him & is WC year. 5 assists in 10 apps mostly off the bench is impressive. His wages surprise me tho didn’t think would earn £137k a week thought maybe £60-80k but that much at Inter coming from SP.
Starting to see to much wage gap btwn players Rice £3k Sakho £30k AC £85k Chic £145k & Mario & Hart on loan around £130k wages Mario will hopefully start bc our bug earners have been on the bench & we have seen at other clubs that this can cause issues so think come this summer we need to try & keep things more level. I want to Chic to stay & think if Sakho plays w him up front could do well but have to play Sakho who says he is fit but club says not.
Just hope Mario hits the ground Running