GD Chaves

Chaves was one of the sensations of last season, finishing 7 and displaying a very solid and competitive football throughout the season, in their first season at top flight after returning. The transfer market moves has been questionable, so far, as Chaves lost some of their most important units, with very little if any reliable new addition for the next season. The key midfielders João Teixeira and João Mendes are gone and it's now up to João Pedro and Guima to take control of midfield, while Kelechi is perhaps Chaves' biggest hope for the season. In goal, Paulo Vítor left after a very good season, but Chaves brought Hugo Souza, the young promise from Flamengo that failed to prove his talent in big stages with the Mengão shirt in Brazil, and will now have a chances to restart with a less demanding job. At the back, the useful but not too important Nélson Monte left, and Bruno Rodrigues was brought in from Braga to replace him. The biggest "new signing" for the back will be the João Correia, who is expected to have a great season after spending a few months out with injury in last one. Ygor Nogueira looks an appropriate choice to replace the departing Carlos Ponck. In attack, Juninho's departure is a big blow, as he provided a vast array of characteristics that will be difficult to replace. The winger Paulo Victor is arriving after a couple of decent seasons in Brazilian lower divisions, while Hector Hernandez will remain the biggest reference in the centre of attack. All in all, Flavienses look considerably weaker, without their main references of last season and relying on many unknown players that are arriving from lower divisions and Chaves' youth academy.