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| Thursday, 19 July 2012 18:37 |
Sporting reinforcements continueLions capture Rojo, Boulahrouz & Pranjić in the space of a week Sporting Lisbon have this week continued their preparations for the season ahead by bolstering their squad with the signings of three international stars, taking the number of new arrivals at the Alvalade this summer to five.
It was this evening confirmed that Sporting have beaten both Benfica and Porto to the signature of Argentinean international Marcos Rojo. The 22-year-old arrives on a four-year deal from Spartak Moscow for a fee believed to be in the region of €5m. Rojo, who already has nine caps to his name, plays predominantly as a left-back but at over six foot tall can also offer cover in the centre of defence. Upon being unveiled this evening the former Estudiantes player could barely hide his excitement: “It is true that I had other options, but I was very impressed with how those in charge of the club showed their interest in signing me. I felt that it was the best option for my career and I am, naturally, very happy to finally be able to wear this shirt.” Rojo will be joined in defence by Dutch international Khalid Boulahrouz who signed a two-year deal with the Lions yesterday following his release from Stuttgart. The thirty-year old is a versatile defender who plays predominantly as a right-back and boasts a wealth of experience. The Liga ZON Sagres will be the fifth major European league that Boulahrouz has played in, following spells with RKC Waalwijk in the Eredivisie, Hamburg and Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, Chelsea in the Premier League and a loan spell with Sevilla in La Liga.  Boulahrouz, who formed part of the Dutch squad at Euro 2012 this summer, has amassed thirty-five caps for the Oranje during an international career that has spanned four major tournaments. He is certainly no stranger to Portuguese fans, after he saw red during the infamous second-round game between the Netherlands and Portugal at the 2006 World Cup. The man nicknamed ‘The Cannibal’ was one of four players to be dismissed during “The Battle of Nuremburg” thanks to a thigh-high assault on Cristiano Ronaldo that forced the winger off injured and an elbow on Luis Figo that sparked a touchline altercation. Boulahrouz is the third seasoned international to arrive at Sporting in the space of a week, after the capture of Danijel Pranjić on a three-year deal was announced last Friday. The thirty-year-old arrives on a free transfer after terminating his contract with Bayern Munich following a frustrating three years with the club in which he made just over fifty appearances.  The left-sided midfielder made his name in his homeland with Dinamo Zagreb after spells at NAŠK, Papuk Orahovica, Beliŝće and Osijek. After just one season with the Croatian giants he earned a move to the Eredivisie with Heerenveen in 2005, where he made 128 appearances and scored 32 goals in four years. Pranjić has won forty-five caps for his country, the most recent of which came during Euro 2012 where he came on as a substitute against Italy and started the game against Spain as Croatia narrowly missed out on qualification for the quarter-finals. With the Lions' squad looking stronger by the day, it certainly promises to be a fascinating season as Ricardo Sá Pinto's men look to improve on their fourth-place finish last season. by Tom Clee |
Andre Martins definitely does look like a fantastic player. He's definitely more of a #10 than Joao Moutinho, but he also possesses Moutinho's excellent work ethic off the ball. Adrien Silva also seems like an excellent all-around midfielder who could definitely give Raul Meireles a run for his money. In my opinion, he's much better defensively and he's better in possession.
Daniel Carrico will hopefully continue to develop into an excellent center back, and Cedric looks to be a talented, attack-minded right back.
This squad has temendousssss ability and will be really exciting to watch and will help Sporting and Portugal alot for many years to come! There are players in this team now that can step up very soon into the senior national team and actually improve the team if not as starters definitely as better subs than are currently there. Andre Martins and Adrien Silva specifically will help Portugal's midfield even more. Cedric is a very talented attacking right back. National team is already set and solid there though with Silvio, Joao Perreira and Miguel Lopes.
But long story short with the advent of these B teams as well. One only has to cast the eye there and see the gems in there as well who will offer further depth and future replacements to the senior team to see that Sporting is in a very good position right now! Sa Pinto is awesome! He knows what he's doing! I'm VERY optimistic about this coming season for Sporting! Benfica and Porto will be strong also, but Sporting I believe will be right up on the same level with them this season! I believe Sporting can do it this year! The ingredients are there, the set up is in place! Sa Pinto is going to have to show skillful man management this season also because Sporting's squad is now finally just as big as Porto's and Benfica's but i actually believe that to be a good thing and they should keep it as it is. Sa Pinto is a great motivator and he'll be able to connect with them all and inspire them on to great competition and therefore even higher levels of game play! Alot of players in this team can have some real break out seasons where they take their game to an even higher level! Sporting is gonna be amazing! FORCA SPORTING!!!!
But they will always behind Benfica and Porto..
except rojo,All of their signings are mediocre players..
As for Martins, I hope he has a little more Deco than Moutinho. I know we always talk about the striker situation in the Seleccao, but we've also lacked a true #10.
I'm actually of the belief that there are good young Portuguese players out there. Some need to be rediscovered, and some will develop just fine.
As for Sporting, I believe most of these players have come on the free. Yes wage bill has gone up, but they didn't take that initial big hit. Let me add that most importantly, I think that they own these guys outright. Meaning they get all of the sell price.
Let me add that Sporting will get some money, should Moutinho get sold. They are due 25% of that fee, and I believe that it has to at least match the 11 mil they originally got form Porto. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm a big Figo fan, and his goal celebration on Cristianos goal was outstanding. Great raw emotion.
That being said for all of Figos accolades for his leadership, he didn't do a very good job of it in the Seleccao. His squads continually under performed and actually complained and whined a ton. They even threatened to not play in tourneys if certain demands weren't met.
Cristiano has clearly passed Figo in Portuguese and All Time Greats. That's not a knock, it just goes to Cristianos greatness.
Frankly I'm thrilled that there's yet another Portuguese regarded amongst the worlds best.
Is a star in the making, this guy plays touch line to touch line, creates, supports, scores, he reminds me of a moutinho/ deco sort of combination.
Jose/Canada
They probably havent been updating because there is nothing new to report. This is the off season haven't you noticed? I think they deserve a break anyway.
Now that I've thrown up a little bit in my mouth due to my Sporting defense, I'll go back to despising them.
It's still very early in everyone's campaign.
Although getting results and looking well, Benfica still has very big holes to fill.
Porto could have immense holes to fill.
Braga, I can only guess, will continue to keep its fingers crossed.
However, my understanding is that Sporting has continued to gut their youth academy to raise some extra cash. It still doesn’t add up for me.
I wish them luck but after spending so much last year and bringing in so many players, the idea of bringing in another boat load of players does not breed stability within a squad. I would have expected Sporting to just build on last year’s team with the addition of a couple of players. They have the right talent to do something with the club but I can’t help but worry if they are looking too short term and could get themselves into a financial hole.
These signings look pretty decent but I worry that they will further complicate Sporting’s chemistry which seemed to be improving at the end of last season.