Diniz's gamble fails, contract could end early | OneFootball

Vasco is facing a dilemma with one of its main signings from the last transfer window. Midfielder Matheus França received his first chance as a starter in the defeat against Bahia, replacing the suspended Coutinho, but had a disastrous performance. The poor performance has put his future in doubt.

+ Vasco welcomes trio back and Diniz already has a favorite

Diniz's Frustration and the Zero Rating

Coach Fernando Diniz did not hide his dissatisfaction on the sidelines. During the first half at Arena Fonte Nova, the coach continuously demanded intensity. His patience ran out quickly: França was substituted at halftime for David.

The fans were also unforgiving. In a poll conducted by various outlets after the last match, the midfielder received the lowest rating among all Cruz-Maltino players. Having been booed in previous games due to improvisations, the player failed to perform even in his original position.

Contract Allows Early Exit from Vasco

França's contract is a loan from Crystal Palace until mid-2026. However, ge discovered a crucial detail: there is no mandatory purchase clause based on playing time. This gives the club freedom.

Given the performance far below expectations in the first three months, the management will reassess at the end of the season. The player's early departure is not ruled out, as he has lost prestige and is expected to return to the bench against Internacional.

The player did not perform as expected with the Giant's jersey – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

+ Follow Papo na Colina's social media: Thread, Bluesky, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok and Google News.

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