Football Season Guide

Porto had a very disappointing season last time out and Azuis e Brancos are now in a very unusual position of having not won a league title for four years in a row. One would have expected Porto to have been very active in the transfer market in order to improve their level from the last two seasons. However, mainly due to Financial Fair Play rules and also due to economical restrictions at the club, this will be a very unique season for the Dragões who basically didn't make any big signings for the new season. However, there will be a big change from last year: Nuno Espírito Santo left to manage Wolves and the board brought in former Nantes coach, Sérgio Conceição. He could be a very popular choice after playing several seasons in the Blue and White jersey during his career. Two main departures will leave a bitter feeling with the fans: youth system pearls, Rúben Neves and André Silva, will be leaving Porto without ever establishing themselves as definite stars of the team. While the midfielder has been a reserve player ever since Danilo signed in, two seasons ago, striker André Silva had a fantastic first half of the season and promised to become an idol for the club. However, Italian giants AC Milan came with a big cheque and Porto simply couldn't resist. Without a chance to buy, Porto are trusting heavily in the returns of loaned players. Vincent Aboubakar had a very good season in Turkey and, a couple of weeks after having said that he would never return to Estadio do Dragão, Sérgio Conceição managed to convince him and did a great job in his re-integration to the squad. Aboubakar is considered the big “signing” for the season and will team up with Tiquinho Soares in Conceição's 4-4-2 formation. Ricardo Pereira is also a good option for the first team, playing as a right-back. He did very well while at Nice so should be now ahead of both Maxi Pereira and Layún for that spot in the backline. As for the rest, the biggest change seems to be in the idea for the tactics. Conceição seems to want the team to play a more passing game rather than NES’ direct football. Spanish midfielder, Oliver, is now expected to have much more influence in the team, and maybe prove that he is one of the league's best talents. Brahimi, Otávio and Corona are also promising to have good respective seasons. Meanwhile, at the back, it is expected that efficiency will be kept with Marcano and Felipe forming one of Europe's most interesting centre-halves duo.