Jonny Hayes reckons Aberdeen will unleash their secret weapon this season through born-again midfielder Dante Polvara.
The Dons were successful in their final -pre-season game before this weekend's big kick off when they won in London.
Aberdeen were three goals up against the English League One side before they conceded two late goals and American midfielder Polvara caught the eye with a fine performance. Polvara was loaned to homeland side Charleston Battery last season and the 23-year-old looked like he faces an uncertain future at Pittodrie.
However, with doubts remaining about the future of Ylber Ramadani who has caught the interest of Serie A side Lecce, Polvara could yet play a key role.
And veteran winger Hayes revealed he's been extremely impressed with Polvara since his return.
He said: "He has come back sharper from the loan and is moving the ball a bit quicker in training.
"Dante has always plenty of ability, there is no doubt about that. If you are looking for the most complete player in that changing room it is probably Dante Polvara.
"He has every tool, he is a young kid and moved across here just after Covid.
"He has settled off the park but all these changes for a young player moving 3,000 or 4,000 miles away it is going to be tough for him.
"It is going to take time and he will not be an overnight success.
"But the way the manager wants to play I think it will suit Dante’s game and he will get there eventually, week by week.
"The loan spell has been very beneficial for him.
"I’m not expecting him to go and win Player of the Year, but I think he is a long-term project and has a great future in the game.
"Dante can strike the ball well with both feet, he can tackle, he is strong, he is quick and powerful.
"He has got everything and he just needs to put it together- and I think he will. I have full faith in him. He is getting there slowly but surely and is a terrific asset to the team.
"Without putting him too high on a pedestal I think there is still a lot more to come from him.
"If I had a choice of picking teams in training he would be my first pick.
"However there is a long way from having all these attributes and showing it consistently every week. He has not come in and been an overnight success but there are a number of factors in that.
"Mainly being a young kid moving halfway across the world to play football. But he is a great boy and I really do hope he puts it together as he will be a real asset for this club.”
Aberdeen were too good for the Addicks and there were goals from captain Graeme Shinnie, Bojan Miovski and an own goal. Miovski also missed a penalty.
And Hayes is quietly confident about the new season with the term kicking off at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Saturday..
He said: "When we are at our best that is how we want to play.
"Sometimes we give up a bit of territory and a bit of possession but we know we can hunt in packs to get it back.
"We can attack at pace and expose the opposition.
"Pre-season is about getting fit and ready for the start of the season. We are a week closer to being ready this time around.
"There are certain elements of our game that probably weren’t as organised as everyone would like it to be.
"We understand pre-season is not about getting a great amount of tactical detail in early doors.
"You are working on fitness and match sharpness.
"There is a big difference between performance last week against Preston when we lost as we worked on that this week.
"I thought we looked a lot more organised this week than last week."
