Reading manager Jose Gomes has poured cold water on speculation linking Joao Virginia with an early return to Everton.
The Portugal youth international joined the Royals on a season-long loan deal for the new season, following his successful Under-23s campaign last year, but his time at the Madejski Stadium hasn’t quite gone to play.
Starting both of Reading’s opening two Championship games against Sheffield Wednesday and Hull, the 19-year old goalkeeper conceded five goals in both losses, while he made a blunder attempt at saving a near post shot against The Tigers.
Reading dropped the Everton starlet after that game, and he hasn’t played since, with the Royals having not lost a game since that decision.
Reading even played their third choice goalkeeper, Sam Walker, over Virginia against Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Cup this week, leading some to speculate that the club could soon look to terminate Virginia’s loan agreement.
However, Gomes has confirmed that he won’t be looking to do so, with Reading a stronger squad with Virginia at the club.
Talking to Berkshire Live, Gomes defended his decision to play Walker over Virginia in the cup. Gomes said:
I think Sam Walker deserved to play and it was a good game to let him play 90 minutes on Tuesday.
Joao Virginia has been working very, very well and he has been improving day by day. If we need him, we can count with him.
I picked Sam because he hasn’t played in the league and didn’t play in the first round at Wycombe.
And with so many changes I decided to give him a chance to play.
When asked about the rumours linking Virginia with an early Everton return, Gomes continued saying:
He is our player so I don’t think this can happen.
I think we are stronger with him than if we let him go.
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It’s a tough situation for any young goalkeeper to make the step up into senior football. Out of every position on the pitch it is the most difficult, because any mistake (which young players will always make) will almost always lead to a goal being conceded.
If Virginia continues to train well and work hard for Gomes, then hopefully he can find his way back into the Royals team soon enough. If he can’t however, Everton must explore bringing him back in January if possible to ensure he continues developing by getting minutes under his belt while playing at a good level of football.
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