Emanuel locks sights on fourth straight championship win

Porto captain expects Dragons to stay on top in Portugal

FC Porto’s captain Pedro Emanuel is exuding confidence as regards his team’s chances of retaining their championship crown and extending their winning streak to four consecutive titles.

“The objective is pure and simple – to become champions the fourth year running. I believe we’re at an advantage in relation to our closest rivals because we’ve been champions for the last three years and we continue to be a very strong team,” said Emanuel.

With respect to other goals, the Porto captain stated that the club want to go as far as possible in the Champions League, despite having their place in the competition in jeopardy following corruption charges.

Uefa are currently analysing the case with a final decision to be made before the draw for the qualifying round of the competition on 1 August.

“I’m not worried because we won everything on the pitch legitimately. FC Porto have done really well internationally and it appears to me that what is important is the country has its best team in the most important European club competition.

“This year we’ll maintain our targets and bring together all the necessary conditions in order to go as far as possible in the competition.”

Quaresma deal stalls

In other team news, FC Porto have confirmed that the club were involved in negotiations with Inter Milan regarding the transfer of Ricardo Quaresma.

Club president, Pinto da Costa, confessed “at this moment there are no ongoing negotiations. I am not saying that everything that has been written is all fantasy, but we are far from being near a deal. There is a lot out there that does not correspond to the truth.”

It is believed the Dragons are holding out for 40m euros, while Inter are prepared to pay 20-25m euros, plus a player. Both clubs have dismissed reports that the Italians also want to buy central defender Bruno Alves.