Miguel Veloso departure ever more likely

Midfielder hits back at criticism and reiterates foreign dream

Miguel Veloso’s season has ended the same way as much of the campaign itself – in a turbulent and prickly tone. The talented midfielder has hit back at criticism for his attitude from both coach Paulo Bento and team-mates, saying he is being made a scapegoat for Sporting’s failings and repeating that he would like to move abroad.

It seems certain the Portugal international’s days in Lisbon are numbered. Arsenal and Bolton have shown an interest in the player in the past, and the smart money says Veloso will be playing in the Premier League in 2009/10.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a fabulous start to his senior career as a defensive midfielder. But problems between Veloso and Bento first surfaced early in the season when the player was reluctant to move to left-back. Continuing his idiosyncratic style of referring to himself in the third person, Veloso yesterday said “Miguel is not a left-back. And he doesn’t like playing at left-back.”

Deal falls through

Things really came to a head when Veloso seemed set to move to Bolton in the January transfer window, only for Sporting to pull the plug on the deal because the Premier League club did not match their valuation of the player.

“I only gave my opinion that I would like, and I have the dream, of playing abroad, I don’t think these words kill anyone,” said Veloso.  

“What I really want is to continue playing. I said, and I continue to say, I have the dream of playing abroad, but this doesn’t depend only on me.

“Sporting always have the last word. When they decide it’s decided. I don’t decide anything. If the boss wants Miguel to leave, it’s his option, not mine. He’s the one who decides and I’ve just got to respect his decisions.

“Will I give body and soul to Sporting if I stay and Bento stays? If he wants me, yes. I just want to play. If the coach wants me, I’ll stay at Sporting,” added Veloso.

Internal strife

Fellow Sporting midfielders Rochemback and Pereirinha also took a pop at Veloso this week, saying that the instability caused by the Portugal international’s declarations ended up having a detrimental effect on the team. Veloso defended himself and refutes the accusations.

“It’s not correct [to publicly criticise a team-mate]. Maybe they wanted to make me a scapegoat and this can’t happen. I don’t think this is right. I’m not going to talk about my team-mates because I don’t have the habit of doing that.”

by Tom Kundert