Pedro Gonçalves: The Versatile Dynamo Driving Sporting’s Success
It has been an epic start to the campaign for Sporting CP. The Lions have enjoyed a perfect start to their title defense, scoring 39 goals and conceding just 5 in league play, and apart from their 4-3 defeat to Porto in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira as well as a 1-1 draw to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League, they have won each of the 15 matches they have contested this season.
Sporting are seeking to win back-to-back league titles for the first time in over seven decades, and they currently find themselves six points clear of Porto and eight above Benfica (who have a game in hand), with the first third of the season already completed. However, in order to pull off this extraordinary feat, they’ll have to do so without Rúben Amorim, who has become the new manager of Manchester United.
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In his first full season in charge, Amorim guided Sporting to the 2020/21 Liga Portugal championship, ending a 19-year title drought. From that victorious team, only a handful of players still remain: Nuno Santos, Gonçalo Inácio, Daniel Bragança, Eduardo Quaresma, Matheus Reis, and Pedro Gonçalves.
Born in the spa town of Vidago, Gonçalves’ father died a month after his birth. He began his development at Vidago’s academy, where his mother worked as the kit provider. Aptly named “Potinho” or “Little Pot” during his childhood because of his love for food, his chubby cheeks as well as his diminutive figure, the moniker serves as an endearing reminder of Gonçalves’ humble beginnings. Today, however, his nickname is simply “Pote.”
He would bounce around from Vidago to Chaves to Braga, leaving the latter after five years following the departure of manager Agostinho Oliveira. When Portuguese manager Nuno Espírito Santo learned of his situation, he offered him a professional contract and integrated him into Valencia’s youth setup. Pedro quickly adapted to life in Spain and even became the captain of the academy team.
After two years in Mestalla, he reunited with Nuno and made the move to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but after struggling for first-team minutes, Pedro called it quits after two years and returned to northern Portugal. Gonçalves quickly impressed for newly promoted Famalicão, scoring 7 goals and 8 assists in 40 appearances and even becoming club captain in January.
Famalicão, who were playing top-flight football for the first time in two decades, found themselves challenging for European football, only to miss out on the final day of the campaign and finish sixth. For his stellar performances, Gonçalves was named the league’s Young Player of the Season and even made it into the 2019/20 Primeira Liga Team of the Season.
This caught the attention of Sporting, who paid €6.5 million for half of his economic rights. It didn’t take long for him to justify their investment, scoring 23 goals in the league and becoming the first Portuguese player to finish as top scorer in Portugal’s top-flight since Domingos Paciência in 1996, whilst he was also named the Young Player of the Season for the second-straight season.
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At 26 years of age, the Portuguese international has already solidified his status as one of the greatest players in Sporting’s modern history, racking up 81 goals and 57 assists in 190 appearances, winning two league titles, two Taça da Liga titles, and one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira title.
His youthful exuberance has translated into a mature player, embodying a well-rounded skill set, encompassing agility, finesse, and precision on the pitch. Today, it’s not just his hunger for meals that defines him; Pote possesses an equally insatiable desire to score goals on the pitch. Let’s take a closer look at why Pote is now so hungry to score and create opportunities for his team.
The Metrics Behind Pote’s Offensive Brilliance
Pedro Gonçalves is not just a multi-functional player—his elite offensive numbers place him among the best in European football. Here’s a breakdown of his performance, based on the most critical metrics in modern football analytics. Let’s break down the metrics
- Non-Penalty Goals (0.75 per 90 | 97th percentile)
- Gonçalves is a constant threat, capable of scoring from open play or set pieces. His ability to find space and finish clinically makes him a nightmare for defenders.
- Non-Penalty Expected Goals (npxG: 0.58 per 90 | 97th percentile)
- Pote doesn’t just score; he consistently gets into high-quality goal-scoring positions, reflecting his smart off-the-ball movement.
- Assists (0.56 per 90 | 92nd percentile) & Expected Assisted Goals (xAG: 0.60 per 90 | 97th percentile)
- His creativity shines through as he frequently puts teammates in goal-scoring positions, making him equally valuable as a playmaker.
- Shot-Creating Actions (9.34 per 90 | 97th percentile)
- Pote plays a pivotal role in Sporting’s attack, consistently initiating plays that lead to shots, whether through progressive passes, dribbles, or key contributions in buildup phases.
Master of Progressive Play
A hallmark of Gonçalves’s game is his ability to advance the ball and create attacking momentum.
- Progressive Passes (6.91 per 90 | 97th percentile):
His passing is not only accurate but forward-thinking, consistently pushing Sporting into dangerous areas. - Touches in the Attacking Penalty Area (7.84 per 90 | 97th percentile):
His involvement near the goal ensures that he’s always at the heart of scoring opportunities, either finishing moves himself or assisting teammates. - Progressive Passes Received (8.22 per 90 | 81st percentile):
Gonçalves’s off-the-ball intelligence allows him to position himself to receive key passes in advanced areas, keeping defenders under pressure.
Strength in Versatility: A Tactical Swiss Army Knife
Pote’s ability to thrive in multiple roles makes him invaluable for Sporting CP. Whether deployed as a winger or in midfield, he adapts seamlessly to tactical needs. His vision and technique allow him to cut inside from the right, orchestrate from the center, or deliver dangerous crosses from the left. His versatility ensures that Sporting can shift between formations without sacrificing creativity or goal-scoring power.
Defensive Tenacity with Room for Growth
While his focus is often on attack, Gonçalves also contributes defensively.
- Tackles (1.31 per 90 | 47th percentile): Though not elite in ball recovery, he shows willingness to engage in defensive actions when needed.
- Interceptions (0.37 per 90 | 42nd percentile): There’s potential for him to improve his defensive anticipation to help regain possession in critical moments.
Opportunities for Improvement
Despite his elite numbers, there are areas in which Pote can grow:
- Successful Take-Ons (1.49 per 90 | 75th percentile): While above average, improving his dribbling could make him more effective at breaking down compact defenses.
- Pass Completion Rate (76.1% | 69th percentile): His ambitious passing style sometimes leads to turnovers. Refining his ball retention under pressure will help him control play more consistently.
Gonçalves’ 8 goal contributions are second only to Francisco Trincão and Viktor Gyökeres in the Portuguese top-flight, whilst only Ángel Di María (3.45) has more Expected Assists than him (3.27). Pote’s 4.0 shots per game are second only to Gyökeres (4.5), whilst he also sits atop the league for big chances created alongside Trincão (8). Finally, he is racking up 4.6 key passes per game, nearly double the amount of the second-best player in Trincão (2.5).
The Future: Unlocking His Full Potential
Pedro Gonçalves has already demonstrated the qualities of a top-tier footballer—elite goal-scoring instincts, creativity, and tactical versatility. However, there is room to sharpen his skills further. By improving his dribbling and ball retention, Pote can elevate his game to new heights and attract interest from the biggest clubs in Europe.
The Portugal international exemplifies the modern footballer: versatile, creative, and decisive in front of goal. His numbers—goals, assists, shot-creating actions, and progressive passing—place him among the most influential players in the Primeira Liga. Whether scoring goals, creating chances, or pressing opponents, Pote’s impact is felt across every phase of the game.
Gonçalves’ impact will certainly be felt over the coming weeks after he was sidelined with a thigh injury in their recent comeback win vs. Braga, one which will keep him out until 2025. However, Sporting may just have the short-term lined up in Danish striker Conrad Harder, who looks set to challenge for a starting spot and potentially fill Viktor Gyökeres’ void in the long run.
As he enters the prime of his career, the sky truly is the limit. With minor refinements, Pedro Gonçalves has the potential to become one of the best in Europe. Sporting CP can rest assured that with Pote leading the way, the club’s ambitions—both domestic and international—are in safe hands.
By: Egy Dwi Kurnianto / @egydwikrnt
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Octavio Passos – Getty Images