Cuca urges Santos board to reinforce full backs, midfield and attack | OneFootball

Santos head coach Cuca has set the club a clear task for the World Cup break, to bring in reinforcements and restore balance across a squad he believes needs work.

According to Globo.com, he wants adjustments in every line, citing thin full back options, extra midfield depth and attackers capable of one-v-one dribbles. He even joked that a couple in each area would help, but the focus is balance.

The full back positions have been a persistent issue. On the right, Igor Vinícius has been playing with a broken toe. Mayke is an alternative, yet the veteran faces strong supporter opposition and may leave mid-season. On the left, Escobar is the only option.

Vini Lira has suffered a serious left-knee injury and is out for the season. Rafael Gonzaga failed to convince and has returned to the under-20s. In midfield, the club intend to recruit more defensive midfielders.

Zé Rafael is training separately and could have his contract rescinded. The Venezuelan Tomás Rincón is not in the plans. With João Schmidt and Gabriel Menino injured, Cuca has turned to academy players Samuel Pierri and Gustavo Henrique.

He noted that Samuel Pierri and Davizinho, who featured, are under 18, so it is early to judge them, even if they are being forced to mature quickly. Up front, he wants more wide options who can dribble and create individually. For now, Moisés is viewed as the only profile of that type, and he too has been criticised by supporters.

Source: Globo.com