Dorival Júnior defends Tchoca after collapsed Torino move | OneFootball

Corinthians drew 1-1 with Cruzeiro at Mineirão on Wednesday in the fourth round of the Campeonato Brasileiro, with João Pedro Tchoca scoring. It was the defender’s first goal since his proposed switch to Torino fell through.

According to Meu Timao, the loan, announced on 25 January with an obligation to buy, was scrapped days later while Tchoca was already in Italy. The club did not officially disclose a reason. He is said to have passed initial medicals, but further tests, prompted by a youth history, indicated a bone condition described as arthritis, and Torino chose not to proceed.

The agreement would have seen the Italian club pay 1.5 million euros for a loan until the end of June, about R$ 9.5 million. An obligation to buy would have been triggered if he played at least 10 matches of 45 minutes, for a further 4.5 million euros, with bonuses potentially lifting the total to roughly R$ 43.8 million.

After the draw, head coach Dorival Júnior backed the 22-year-old, arguing Torino made the wrong call. He praised Tchoca’s personality, presence and reliability, and said the centre-back could grow significantly, perhaps earning another chance in Europe, while suggesting the Italians might soon regret their choice.

Reintegrated, Tchoca has taken the number 4 shirt and featured in three matches, moving up the centre-back pecking order ahead of Cacá, who has joined Vitória on loan. Corinthians now turn to Saturday’s Paulista semi-final at Estádio Doutor Jorge Ismael de Biasi against Novorizontino, kick-off 20:30.

Source: Meu Timao