You’d be surprised quite how many players are on his books
For agents, the transfer window means working 24/7. Constant phone calls, WhatsApp messages, and very little sleep for those intermediates looking to move their players around from club to club and pick up a chunky fee while they’re at it.
One of the busiest agents in football is Jorge Mendes, founder of Gestifute. You probably know Mendes as Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent, or José Mourinho’s agent, or the man who sends half his players to Wolves. And you’d be right on all three counts. The Portuguese super agent has become a powerful force in the transfer market and has countless big names on his books at Gestifute.
We’ve decided, for no other reason than we felt like it, to compile the best XI of players registered with the Gestifute agency.
Goalkeeper: Ederson
Unlucky for Rui Patricio, but there are few better keepers than Ederson in world football, let alone at Mendes’ agency, so this one is a no brainer.
Right-back: Matt Doherty
It might surprise you to hear he is a Mendes client, because, well, he’s Irish. But the Irishman is on the books at Gestifute, which only makes his transfer from Wolves (Mendes club) to Tottenham (managed by Mourinho, Mendes client) all the more logical. It also allowed Mendes to take Nelson Semedo to Wolves from Barcelona, so everyone wins. Except for Semedo because he doesn’t make it into this XI.
Centre-back: Rúben Dias
Big things are expected of the 23-year-old at Manchester City, where he replaces Nicolas Otamendi. Speaking of whom…
Centre-back: Nicolas Otamendi
Otamendi has had a great career considering his limitations as a player. Maybe that’s harsh, but given his form in recent seasons, two Premier League titles reflects very well on him. And there aren’t many centre-backs on Mendes’ list of clients, so he makes it into this team.
Left-back: Faouzi Ghoulam
Again, not many left-backs to choose from unfortunately. Ghoulam was fantastic for Napoli before his horrible knee injury though, and would have gone on to join one of the elite clubs in Europe had it not hampered his progress. Or he would’ve joined Wolves. One of the two.
Holding midfield: Fabinho
This is where we start seeing real quality in the team. I’m putting two holding midfielders in this team because I don’t trust that backline. Fabinho is an automatic pick.
Holding midfield: Rúben Neves
Fabinho wins the ball back, Neves sprays it forward.
Attacking midfield: James RodrÃguez
Before this season, I might not have included James. But in his first month as an Everton player he has reminded everyone just how good he is, and just how much fun football can be.
Right wing: Bernardo Silva
Just a very good player isn’t he? Had some competition from Gonçalo Guedes but this was a pretty easy choice.
Left wing: Angel Di MarÃa
Another world class player, who would swing in pin point crosses for days – a pretty good tactic given who we’ve got up front.
Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo
Not really any other option here is there? Diego Costa? Nope. Radamel Falcao? Nope. I’m not putting him on the left either, he’s not got the legs for that anymore. Just stick him in the box and get crosses raining in. Goals galore.
Manager: Nuno Espirito Santo
Sorry, José. It’s not 2006 anymore.
