Sporting prepare for life without Hjulmand, three favourites emerge | OneFootball

The possible departure of Morten Hjulmand continues to dominate attention in Alvalade and is forcing Sporting to prepare a new hierarchy within the dressing room. The Lions’ captain is one of the most sought-after players in the squad and has an understanding with Sporting’s board to facilitate a transfer in this window, a scenario that is expected to bring major changes to the team’s leadership structure.

The Danish international is being tracked by clubs such as Atlético de Madrid, Juventus and Manchester City, making it increasingly difficult to imagine the midfielder staying at Alvalade. Beyond his importance on the pitch, Hjulmand’s potential departure would leave a significant void in the dressing room, where he quickly took on a leading role after arriving at Sporting in 2023.

Given this scenario, potential successors to the armband are already beginning to emerge. Rui Silva is one of the strongest candidates, thanks to the experience he has built up throughout his career and the influence he quickly gained within the group. At 32, he is currently the most experienced player in Sporting’s squad and one of the most respected voices in the dressing room.

Another natural candidate is Eduardo Quaresma. A product of Alcochete, the centre-back has already worn the armband on several occasions during the last season and continues to establish himself as one of the players most cherished by the fans. Although negotiations over a renewal have not yet been concluded, both sides are confident of reaching an agreement.

Further up the pitch, Geny Catamo also appears as an option. The Mozambique international is seen as one of the players who has grown the most internally in recent years and has gained status within the group. After the best season of his career, in which he recorded eight goals and four assists in 47 matches, the 'number 10' is also among the names tipped to take on greater responsibilities in Sporting’s dressing room.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.