While there’s been a lot of talk of Nuno Tavares having a tough second half of the season on loan away from Arsenal, it appears he hasn’t lost any stock in the eyes of his manager at Marseille.
Igor Tudor was asked about the Portuguese defender during a press conference on Thursday ahead of the upcoming fixture against Montpellier on Friday, and, relayed by RMC Sport, he had nothing but encouraging words to give the Gunners man.
He said: “He’s still a young player. He’s got fantastic physical capacities. He’s got an outstanding ability to run. He could play at Real, at Barça, at Manchester City… He still needs to grow and progress, we talk a lot to him.
“He’s been very important to us this season. He’s scored a few goals, which isn’t that common at his position. What’s important is the way we finish the season. He can change games when he’s in form.”
Tavares, who never really convinced Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, was sent on loan to Marseille in hope he could mimic the progression of William Saliba after the French defender spent last season in the south of France.
However, despite a promising first half of the campaign when goals were flying in left, right and centre for the left-back, the second part has, to date, been a bit more difficult.
That has led to a lot of criticism, with questions being asked about his future at both Marseille and Arsenal in the long run, who will have some decisions to make when he returns to the Emirates.
