Stoke City had a scout in the stands as FC Porto beat Tondela 2-0. The Championship side would have left with a fairly clear idea of what is realistic. And also what probably is not.
Porto’s biggest names once again took the spotlight.
Gabri Veiga came off the bench and changed the game almost instantly, scoring within minutes. Victor Froholdt followed up with the second goal and is building a reputation for arriving in the box at the right time. Now he is scoring in back-to-back matches. Rodrigo Mora also impressed in the first half, linking midfield and attack before being taken off.
The issue for Stoke is that those three are already being tracked by top clubs across Europe. That kind of attention puts them in a different market entirely. And performances like this only push them further away from Championship reach.
Where Stoke City can realistically look
Alberto Costa is a strong example of smart business. The 22-year-old right-back had a very active night, constantly involved in attacking phases and combining well down the flank. He looks like a player who can contribute immediately but still has room to grow.
Young striker Deniz Gül also fits that bracket. He did not have the cleanest first half, but still ended up influencing both goals. He assisted Veiga’s opener and played a part in the move for the second. That ability to impact games even without dominating them is something clubs often value highly.
Tondela offer clearer opportunities
On the other hand, the away side had players operating without the same level of spotlight. This naturally makes them more accessible.
Rodrigo Conceição, Brayan Medina and Juanse Rodríguez all featured and could be seen as potential value options. This is especially true for a club willing to develop talent rather than compete at the very top end of the market.
Still, the standout was Bernardo Fontes. The 23-year-old goalkeeper – Brazilian, with Italian citizenship – produced another strong display and saved a penalty. He has been one of Tondela’s most reliable performers all season. There is a growing sense that a bigger move is coming sooner rather than later.
There was also a slightly unexpected presence on the pitch. Joe Hodge started in midfield for Tondela and quietly put in another solid shift. The 23-year-old came through the academies at Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, breaking into senior football with Wolves before spells at QPR and Huddersfield Town.
Now at Tondela, he has become a regular starter and one of the main figures in their midfield. He was signed from Wolves for a relatively low fee, and given his steady development and consistent minutes, he stands out as a very practical profile. Add in the fact he qualifies as a homegrown player in England, and he ticks a lot of boxes for clubs looking for reliable, ready-made options.
This felt like a useful scouting trip for Stoke City. The elite names impressed, as expected, but the more realistic targets were there too. In particular, Bernardo Fontes looks like a player who will not stay under the radar for much longer.
