Arsenal defender is currently out on loan at Marseille.
However, the Gunners man’s time at the Ligue 1 club has been mixed, to put it mildly.
Tavares began well, scoring three goals in his first three league outings for his loan side.
The 23-year-old Arsenal loanee also scored in consecutive games just after Christmas.
However, Tavares has lost form of late, and has really struggled in his last few matches.
Footmercato awarded the Arsenal man just 1/10 for his display against Strasbourg on 12 March.
Meanwhile, 90Min gave Tavares 3/10 despite their win against Reims before the international break.
However, Marseille head coach Igor Tudor is adamant the Gunners loanee still has amazing potential.
Indeed, he reckons Tavares has what it takes to play for the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City.
“He’s a boy who is still young,” Tudor said, as per Foot Mercato.
“He played two days ago with Portugal U21, he has high-level physical qualities, he has an extraordinary explosiveness.
“He could play at Real Madrid, Barca or Manchester City.
“There are other things he needs to improve. He must progress, we often talk.
“There is always room for improvement, we are here to help him.
“He is shown concrete things to improve. He scored 5, 6 goals, I don’t know anymore.
“It has always been important to us even if it has not had continuity.
“He always participates, he is an important player for us.
“As I always say, we hope he will help us in the last ten matches.
“He is a player who, when he is in shape, can change things. He can make a difference.”
UNCERTAIN FUTURE
It’s great to hear Tudor sing Tavares’ praises so highly, particularly considering his struggles at times this term.
However, it remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta plans to keep the full-back beyond the summer.
RMC Sport journalist Florent Germain recently claimed that Arsenal don’t want to keep him.
“Arsenal would like to sell him,” he said, as per Marseille’s official website and transcribed by Sport Witness.
“The Gunners bosses don’t want to loan him for a second year in a row.”
“The Arsenal bosses have the same opinion as the Marseille ones. They don’t see him as a reliable player.
Obviously this is one reporter’s claim. For all we know, Arteta may want to at least look at him in pre-season.
It would nice for things to work out and for Tavares to kick on at Arsenal.
