leicester city The scout was at FC Porto's 2-0 win over Tondela on Sunday. However, it didn't feel like a trip built around Porto's major names.
record It was reported that Leicester was one of three English clubs represented at the Dragão, along with Stoke City and Wolverhampton. However, Fox isn't buying from a position of comfort just yet.
Sitting 23rd in the Championship table after 43 matches and in real danger of dropping into League One, it changes the type of market they can realistically attack.
Porto still offers obvious quality. Gabriel Veiga changed the match from the bench, Victor Frohold scored again and Rodrigo Mora was one of the more lively players before the break.
However, these are names that top-flight clubs would also have written down. Froholdt has now scored in consecutive league matches, while Veiga's profile has long been well ahead of the English second-tier side.
That's the glamorous end of The Notebook. The more useful Leicester section could start on Tondela's side.
Tondela looks like a more realistic market
If Leicester City are making summer plans based on financial caution and the prospect of third-tier football, Tondela's team makes more sense.
One who stands out is Bernardo Fontes. The 23-year-old Brazilian-born goalkeeper, who holds Italian citizenship, saved a penalty and prevented a major loss.
He has been Tondela's most consistent pillar this season, with over 20 league appearances, and already has a strong reputation by being named Liga Portugal's second goalkeeper of the year in 2024–25.
Rodrigo Conceição is another man who fits into the more realistic Leicester conversation. He is 26 years old and has experience at right-back, including time spent with Portugal's youth national teams. He is not a high-profile target, but he is a viable target for a club in need of reliability.
Brian Medina offers a different profile. The 24-year-old Colombian centre-back is left-footed, stands around 1.95 metres, and has already shown strong defensive numbers this season.
Juanes Rodriguez is more of a developmental bet. The 20-year-old Ecuadorian midfielder is on loan from LDU Quito. He mainly plays as a defensive midfielder. He is still in the early stages of his career. Nevertheless, his performances at this level keep him on the radar for clubs looking to build ahead of schedule.
There was also a name on the teamsheet that might have surprised some people. Joe Hodge stood in midfield for Tondela. As has been the case this season, he looked absolutely at home there.
Still only 23 years of age, he has carved out a regular starting role and has become one of the key parts in Tondela's midfield structure. His path to this point has already been pretty well covered. He developed in the academies of Manchester City and Wolverhampton. After that, he stepped up to senior football with Wolves and spent time on loan at QPR and Huddersfield.
Tondela secured him from Wolves for a relatively modest fee, and now it looks like smart business. He brings consistency and experience at different levels of English football. Plus, he also brings the added bonus of counting as a domestic player in England. All of this makes him a very practical profile for clubs looking for reliable options rather than high-risk bets.
Porto's names attract attention, but Tondela fits the reality
This is probably the main takeaway from a visit to Leicester City.
Yes, there was more attainable talent on display in Porto. Left-back Alberto Costa and young striker Deniz Gul could fall into the "cheaper" bracket compared to Veiga, Mora and Frohold. Still, if Leicester are indeed preparing for a tough summer, Tondela looks far more aligned with their situation.
Bernardo Fontes is at the forefront in that regard. He combines performance, consistency and timing. For a club in need of value and advancement, that seems like the kind of opportunity that won't be available for a long time.
Ultimately it may be about identifying gems before others. In that sense, Tondela's team may prove to be a more important achievement than this trip.
