Scout Reports

Scout Report: Ricardo Pereira

Leicester City completed the first major transfer deal of the summer earlier this week with their £22m acquisition of FC Porto defender Ricardo Pereira.

Pereira is reunited with City boss Claude Puel, who brought the 24-year-old full-back to OGC Nice on a two-year loan deal in 2015.

The Portugal international has signed a five-year contract with the Foxes and looks set to usurp Danny Simpson as Leicester’s first-choice right-back.

Pereira’s move is subject to international clearance and is expected to be officially ratified on Saturday 9 June.

After passing a medical and completing terms, Pereira spoke to LCFC TV

“I feel very happy to be here and I can’t wait to do my best to help the team. The atmosphere, the fans and the football of the Premier League makes it the best in the world. I am here to support the team and to help the club to achieve its goals.”

THE HISTORY

Born in Lisbon, Pereira played youth football with CF Benfica, Sporting CP and Naval, before signing for Vitoria de Guimaraes.

It was with the Primeira Liga club that Pereira made his first-team debut in April 2012, appearing as a 78th-minute substitute in Vitoria’s 3-1 league win over Pacos de Ferreira.

After 27 league appearances for Vitoria in the 2012/13 season – a campaign in which he scored six goals in eight domestic cup fixtures, including the winner in the Taca de Portugal final – Pereira signed for Porto in July 2013.

Pereira failed to secure a regular starting role under head coach Paulo Fonseca or his successor Julen Lopetegui, featuring as much for Porto B as he did for the first team in his initial two seasons with the Portuguese giants.

A two-year loan spell at Nice followed, with Pereira quickly establishing himself as a regular in Puel’s team and helping the French side to a fourth-place finish in 2015/16. Nice bettered that the next season, finishing third in Ligue I and securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. Pereira was once again a first-team mainstay under new boss Lucien Favre, adding a further four assists to the four he supplied in his debut season at Nice.

Recalled by his parent club, Pereira made 26 starts and one substitute appearance for Porto in 2017/18, scoring twice and providing four assists. Pereira also featured in seven of his club’s Champions League fixtures, including the 5-0 home drubbing by Liverpool.

He had to be patient in waiting for his chances with the Portugal national side. Having made his debut against Russia in November 2015, Pereira has only featured on a further two occasions. However, he will be part of his country’s 23-man World Cup squad this summer.

THE PROSPECTS

Leicester’s defence has been something of a predicament since their league title success.

Only four sides conceded more goals (60) than the Foxes this season, the second successive league campaign in which they have shipped 60 or more goals. By contrast, City only conceded 36 goals in their Premier League-winning year of 2015/16. Their nine clean sheets this term was also better than just three other teams.

Pereira comes from fresh from a season in which Porto conceded a league-low of 18 goals in 34 games.

Leicester’s 408 tackles lost was the fourth-worst tally among Premier League clubs, so Pereira’s rate of 3.7 successful challenges per game (the second-best average of any Primeira Liga player) could go some way to addressing that obvious weakness. Pereira’s total of 99 successful challenges was more than any FPL defender managed in 2017/18, with Harry Maguire’s tally of 63 the best among the current Leicester squad.

Notably, Simpson made only 38 successful tackles, despite having played more minutes (2313 to Pereira’s 2271) than his new team-mate.

Pereira’s penchant for a tackle doesn’t translate into ill-discipline, though: he picked up only three yellow cards this season, less than Simpson, Wes Morgan (both four) and Maguire (seven).

While Simpson’s defensive solidity has made him a regular fixture in the City backline, no goals and four assists in as many years with Leicester tells its own story.

Pereira, meanwhile, supplied four assists for the third season in a row this campaign and made 35 key passes: only Ben Davies, Kieran Trippier, Jose Holebas and Ryan Bertrand created more chances among Premier League defenders in 2017/18. Christian Fuchs was City’s creator-in-chief from defence, laying on a comparatively meagre 19 chances in 25 appearances.

Pereira’s 48 successful dribbles ranked top for defenders in the Primeira Liga in 2017/18 and was a figure bettered by just two other defenders in the Premier League this season: Maguire and Arthur Masuaku.

Attacking verve comes naturally to Pereira, having spent a chunk of his early career at Vitoria playing as a wide-right midfielder and featuring there for Porto last season. His ability to play in an advanced role should interest Fantasy managers while also giving Puel more tactical options.

Pereira’s versatility extends to the full-back positions too: during his debut season with Nice, Puel utilised Pereira chiefly at left-back. Leicester conceded 420 chances from the right flank this season – only Burnley (421) allowed more – and Pereira has the adaptability to fill in for Fuchs or Ben Chilwell should he be asked to do so.

Puel’s relationship with Pereira was a crucial element in his move to Leicester: the player himself has stated that his new manager was a “very important” factor in the decision to sign for City and that the former Nice boss had inspired confidence in him during his loan spell in France.

The future of Puel as Leicester manager is, of course, far from certain, though it seems unlikely that Pereira would have put pen to paper without assurances about Puel’s job security. His fulsome praise of his mentor would seem to strengthen the case for Puel to start the 2018/19 season as City boss.

Whether or not the Frenchman remains in charge at the King Power Stadium shouldn’t diminish Pereira’s appeal to Fantasy managers. Indeed, Puel’s fondness for a somewhat defensive 4-5-1 or even the classic Leicester 4-4-1-1 would seem to hinder Pereira’s attacking instincts. A more offensive 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 would give the new signing the stage to shine in attack, and Puel’s short-lived experiments with a wing-back system this season – most notably in their defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad – suggests that this is unlikely to happen under his stewardship.

Nevertheless, Pereira has played the bulk of his career in a back four and his deployment as an orthodox right-back has not blunted his attacking returns so far. The prospect of Pereira dovetailing with Riyad Mahrez on the right flank would be an appealing thought for Leicester fans and Fantasy managers alike, though the Algerian’s future with the Foxes looks as unclear as ever.

Pereira’s attacking threat and defensive contributions make him a likely beneficiary of points from all avenues, including via the Bonus Points System (BPS). That ensures that he is already an asset to monitor in both the World Cup and over the pre-season.

258 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Cheeseoid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    So if I read this right in the Telegraph game you can make transfers between games and points for both matches count. That isn't just for matches on seperate days but someone could play in the first match of the day and you could switch them out for the second but you get points for both if you do

    1. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      My word it is dead here

      1. Saint Steve-O (@EliteFPL)
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Did chuckle at your own comment, I woke at 3am BST (looked at FFS at 340) almost 3 hours later. Nothing lol

      2. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Nah it’s just because nobody plays the Telegraph game 😉

    2. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      That's right Yer. Transfers between matches , 26 of them. Then transfer amnistey after last group game. Then 20 more transfers. Basically

      " what did you do last summer? "

      " oh I spent the whole summer in front of the PC picking my telegraph fantasy world cup transfers"

  2. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Is Carvajal nailed for Spain?

    1. QuintonFortune25
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah, based on the squad it seems Alvaro Odriozola is the alternative RB but not sure exactly how good he is but surely he's just back up for Carvajal.

  3. QuintonFortune25
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Been having a go at the iTeam world cup fantasy and got this team, what do you reckon?

    Pickford
    Trippier - Sidibe - Hector (will be Kimmich but for some reason he isn't in the game yet?)
    Isco - Coutinho - Sane - Lemar
    Jesus - Werner - Griezmann

    1. Pirlø's Pen
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah that’s really nice.

      1. QuintonFortune25
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks very much

    2. ludaslol
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Looks nice, I'm building my team around Isco/Griezman/Jesus (different site tho and way lower budget).

      But is Trippier nailed? Looks like a solid pick if that's the case.

      Trippier Stones Cahill Walker most likely?

      1. QuintonFortune25
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I'd say so yes, I think 5 at the back, Trippier Walker Stones Maguire Rose/Young so if that's the case only Alexander-Arnold would replace Trippier on the RWB position which I think is unlikely. Cheers for feedback

        1. Zenith UK
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Nah man, Walker will play RWB not RCB. Trippier is a much better defender.

  4. the Penman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    A nailed on (and fit) Ramsey as central to the new Arsenal manager’s plans? Anywhere less than 9m and he’s nailed on for my GW1 team.

    http://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11670/11382102/unai-emery-wants-aaron-ramsey-and-pierre-emerick-aubameyang-to-have-important-roles-at-arsenal?__twitter_impression=true

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah, might be decent.

      Let’s see if he can get through pre-season unscathed 🙂

      Should be no more than 7.5 imo

  5. Twelve years a slave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    No more Jonty O: Now he just Joe, does not have the same ring to it

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      What you banging on about mate?

      1. Twelve years a slave
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Has retired the name Jonty, see the hot topic on price changes

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Oh yeah.

          Maybe he’s trying to fit in with the common people.

    2. Bunk Moreland
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Who is Jonty O?

    3. FC Lackless [BALEGIUM]
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      It's a Canadian postal code ... J0E

    4. FPL_ANT
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Ir's like when The Rock became Dwayne Johnson.

    5. Nascimento
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Finally using his real name like the rest of us.

      1. FPL_ANT
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        This.

      2. Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yer welcome to the club

  6. FFFrog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    It’s fairly dead here so I’ll give you all something to talk about - for me, big hitters are by far the most important players to have in WC Fantasy. Very few successful differentials appear every tournament and even fewer from small teams, especially in the midfield- the skill appears to be in picking the right players from the big teams, especially when they’re playing small teams in the groups. I therefore suggest that playing a 4-3-3 with one cheaper forward, 4-4-2 with 4 big hitting mids or a 5-3-2 with 5 defenders from top teams to avoid the low scoring mids - thoughts?

    1. FFFrog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      As opposed to the full team of mid level options that are appearing in FPL, because these mid level differentials simply don’t exist in WC fantasy

    2. ludaslol
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I agree, the fantasy site I'm playing on also gives points for a team win/negative points for loss etc. The value seems to be in defenders on good teams or big hitting forwards on good teams.

      Also picking good players from bad teams will probably make you have to transfer them out for a fee after the group stage anyway.

      Players that seem essential: Isco, Griezman, Jesus, Werner(good 3rd striker?)

      Which more players might be worth taking a look at?

      Obviously players are priced different on every site but who are good fantasy options despite price?

      1. FFFrog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Well my current shortlist is

        FWD
        Smolov
        Cavani
        Griezmann/ Mbappe
        Messi
        Werner
        Jesus
        Berg
        Lukaku
        Kane
        Milik/ Lewa

        But in midfield only
        Isco/ Silva
        Perisic
        Paulinho
        Hazard/ KdB
        Muller (when he’s a mid)
        James

        So there are many more options at striker imo and all the decent mid options are top price (apart from Paulinho)

        1. Sune
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          My top targets:

          MID:
          Grosicki
          Paulinho
          D. Silva
          Carrasco
          Hazard
          Eriksen

          FW:
          Muller
          André Silva
          Seferovic
          Vela
          Lukaku
          Lewandowski
          Jesus
          Jimenez
          Suárez
          Hernandez
          Mertens
          Ronaldo
          Griezmann

  7. ludaslol
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    At the site I'm playing the budget is VERY tight and I'm looking at something like this right now, 4-3-3.

    Akinfeev
    Vertonghen Miranda Carvajal G. Silva
    Dzagoev Golovin Isco
    Werner Griezman Jesus

    Russia plays twice the first round thats why I'm sticking with them.
    Is everyone nailed atleast?
    I'm probably going to change around a million times but Isco, Jesus, Griezman and Werner is staying atleast I think.

    1. FFFrog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      What’s the transfer situation on this game - because although Russia play twice in gw1 this isn’t to any great advantage because it just means that they don’t play gw2 and then have a tough game against Uruguay gw3 so probably need transferring out

      1. ludaslol
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        "Each time you change players, it costs 1% of the current player's current value in transfer fee".

        And the game is all about having as high value as possible after the final. So as long as I transfer in players who do decent it might be worth a shot. So plan is to have them for the first round then transfer everyone out.

    2. Sune
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I’m playing the same game and looking at something like:

      Subasic
      Meunier, Miranda, Boateng
      Carrasco, D. Silva, Paulinho, Grosicki
      Muller, Seferovic, A. Silva

      1. Sune
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Or

        Subasic
        Meunier, Carvajal, Boateng, Miranda
        D. Silva, Grosicki, Paulinho
        A. Silva, Muller, Werner

    3. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      What game is this? Sounds good

  8. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Completely forgot Zaha played for Ivory Coast.

    Imagine him and Sterling flanking Kane. Damn it!

    1. pakornk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      The sight of them diving and getting booked is somewhat exciting.

      1. Bragazeti
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Add Alli into the mix

  9. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    BBC reporting Emery confirmed as Arsenal manager.

    1. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Very interesting, and bar the English language issue, the ideal project for Emery I'd say. Sevilla played some lovely and very effective football under him.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I hope he gets English lessons from Sean Dyche

  10. The Darkest Knight
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    OFFICIAL: Unai Emery is a new Arsenal manager...!