Football Season Guide

Boavista FC

In


Alireza Beiranvand (gk) Royal Antwerp, BEL; Filipe Ferreira (def) Tondela, Kenji Gorré (att) Nacional, Rodrigo Abascal (def) Peñarol, URU; Gaius Makouta (mid) SC Braga

Out


Léo Jardim (k)(def) Lille, FRA - return from loan; Jesús Gómez (sp)(def) Atlas, MEX - return from loan; Devenish (r)(def) Atletico Nacional, COL - return from loan; Show (sp)(mid) Lille, FRA - return from loan; Nuno Santos (r)(mid) Benfica - return from loan; Jorge Benguché (sp)(att) Olimpia, HON - return from loan; Angel Gomes (k)(mid) Lille, FRA - on loan; Paulinho (r)(mid) Al-Shabab, SAU; Adil Rami (r)(def) end of contract

Boavista was slightly disappointing in 2020-21, as they were expected to achieve some higher positions after a strong investment during last summer. Angel Gomes was the only new face to actually deliver, while Rami and Javi Garcia spent most of the time with the medical department. J.P. Sousa was brought in to lead the team, in a move that should be read as a serious attempt from the board to change the club's philosophy on the pitch. Sousa is known for an attractive, passing style, something totally different from Boavista's trademark hard-working and warrior mentality. One of Sousa's biggest task will be to find a way to cope with Angel Gomes' departure. The creative attacking midfielder was by far the team's greatest asset during last season, but he's now gone. Paulinho is also a very important departure. Nuno Santos and Devenish are also gone. Leo Jardim left, but there are good hopes that Iran's no. 1 choice goalkeeper Alireza Beiravand will be a good replacement. Devenish and Rami left; Abascal should be a first team option at the back. Filipe Ferreira was brought in to replace Mangas, who should be leaving soon. There's a clear lack of good options for midfield, especially in the creation department, after Gomes, Paulinho and Nuno Santos left. Sauer was left alone for the task. It's vital that the club bring in new players, even if Reisinho and Javi Garcia recover well from very long injuries. Kenji Gorré arrived from Nacional, presumably to replace Elis, who should also be leaving soon. Yusupha Njie is the reliable name in attack, but there are high expectations on the affirmation of a couple of youngsters like Luís Santos, Tiago Morais or Jeriel. JP Sousa is usually a fan of a positive, commanding and ball playing 433, but he doesn't seem to possess the players for that.

Target


Boavista is expected to struggle during the season, especially if the don't bring in some serious new signings. Avoiding relegation should be the realistic target.