Pedro Gonçalves has used the international break to begin again at Fiorentina, with a place in Portugal’s plans and a starting role in Florence both in his sights.
Portugal beat Wales 1-0 in the Nations League on Sunday night without the 28-year-old, although he was part of the squad that lifted the competition’s trophy a little more than a year ago. The midfielder, who prefers to be known simply as Pedro, has made no secret of his ambition to return to the national side.
Quick facts
- Pedro joined Fiorentina from Sporting on loan.
- The deal includes a €2.5 million loan fee and a €22.5 million option to buy.
- He has played 35 Serie A minutes so far: 10 against Venezia and 25 against Napoli.
- He scored from outside the box in the Coppa Italia win over Pisa.
- Paolo Vanoli replaced Fabio Grosso after Fiorentina lost their opening three league matches.
There is also a more immediate task at Viola Park. Pedro has been back at work with the group for two days, joining what has effectively become a fresh conditioning and tactical programme under Vanoli.
The coach arrived after a difficult opening to the campaign, taking over from Grosso following three defeats in three league rounds. The matches against Venezia and Napoli then brought Fiorentina their first positive results of the season, but Pedro made only brief appearances and did not yet leave a major mark.
His Coppa Italia display against Pisa offered a more persuasive indication. In front of the Franchi crowd, he bent an unstoppable right-footed effort in from distance and showed the value Vanoli sees in him operating behind the forwards.
That position matters to the coach’s intention of settling Fiorentina into a 4-2-3-1. After the draw with the reigning Italian runners-up Napoli, Vanoli made his feelings clear: “Pedro excites me.”
The next stage is for the Portuguese player to turn that encouragement into a regular place when Serie A resumes. Fiorentina have invested heavily in the possibility, and Pedro arrives with a substantial record from Sporting: 99 goals in all competitions, plus five goals and six assists across 21 Champions League appearances.
Florence has long reserved a particular affection for creative No. 10s, from Giancarlo Antognoni and Roberto Baggio to Rui Costa and Adrian Mutu. Pedro believes he belongs in that tradition; the coming weeks will show whether he can become a central figure in Vanoli’s reconstruction.
