Andreas Pereira’s loan spell at Lazio has not really gone as he might have hoped.
After being cast aside at Manchester United following Bruno Fernandes’ arrival, Pereira sought to head out on loan.
The problem was, Pereira chose the club, as opposed to the situation.
He elected to sign with a Lazio side who could offer Champions League football, but unforunately for him, they had a settled midfield.
Pereira would have been better off choosing a club which could have offered him a quicker route to first team football, which ultimately is what he needed, after failing to start a single game for United in the June to August post-lockdown stretch last season, playing only once from the bench.
Lazio have not trusted Pereira as a regular started. The United loanee has started just three Serie A games all season.
In his 21st substitute league appearance from the bench at the weekend, Pereira’s frustration seemed to boil over, as he picked up two yellow cards in 31 minutes and was sent off.
It is highly unlikely Lazio will be picking up the £20 million plus clause to buy in his loan deal.
Loan deal a wake-up call
This loan spell has been a wake-up call for Pereira. He can’t just walk into any club and expect to start, just because he is a Manchester United player.
He now appears ready to do the best thing for his career, and choose a new club based on situation, and not name.
In an interview with La Lazio Siamo Noi, Pereira says he is open to all options regarding his future this summer.
The United midfielder said: “I don’t close the door on anyone, the main thing in the next season will be to have minutes constantly. I want to have minutes play regularly.
Asked if he may even be interested in joining Belgian side Club Brugge, he responded: “Everything will depend on the project they have in mind and want to put into practice, if it is something positive and matches my ideas, I repeat, I don’t see why not to take it into consideration.”
Pereira added he would not rule out a move to Brazil either, and is going to make the decision which is best for him.
He seems a little fed up after the season he has had, and you cannot blame him. Pereira has not started two league games in succession in 18 months.
Staying at United is not an option for him. If he did, he would fail to make the bench most weeks.
The 25-year-old was once a player United fans had very high hopes for, after impressing in the academy and then on loan at Valencia, but he has not developed into the midfielder we all wanted him to.
Now he needs to move on in order to develop his game, and another year of coming off the bench each week to play the final 10-15 minutes of games won’t help him.
Pereira needs to feel valued and appreciated, and find a club willing to give him time. This may mean switching to a weaker league or finding a mid-table or relegation threatened side. Importantly, when he gets a chance, he has to take it.
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