New season, the same uncertainty around the squad. Sérgio Conceição wanted to start the championship with the working group already closed, but the law of the market – lack of economic power, it must be understood – has been delaying the arrival of reinforcements, which always creates some concern for the blue and white coach.
On Sunday, at the end of the meeting with Lyon and after answering a question from Porto Canal about whether he was happy with the current squad, the coach replied: “I’m happy to be working at FC Porto.” Statements that show some impatience on the part of the Porto helmsman to see that his wishes, once again, are not being fulfilled in due time.
Pepê, Bruno Costa and Fábio Cardoso are the reinforcements already made official – in addition to the continuity of Grujic and the return of Vitinha -, a lot that is far from what had been idealized by Conceição, who became more apprehensive after seeing too many defensive errors in the preparation game with Lyon, in which the team conceded three goals – in addition to the other seven that had already fallen in pre-season.
The absence of an alternative to Zaidu on the left side of defense is glaring, a player similar to Alex Telles, capable of making a difference internally, but also in more difficult games, specifically in duels with rivals Benfica and Sporting and, of course, the Champions.
The central axis could also be reinforced with Korean Kim Min-jae, in addition to which Sérgio Conceição saw Marega leave and has yet to receive any striker to compensate for the Malian’s departure.
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