How Borja Sainz is getting on at Porto after Norwich City transfer exit | OneFootball

Borja Sainz left Carrow Road this summer

Borja Sainz left Norwich City this summer to join Porto.

The Canaries will be relatively happy with the transfer business they managed to commence, bringing in Liam Manning as their new boss alongside players such as Pape Diallo, Harry Darling and Mathias Kvistgaarden.

Their biggest coup was arguably managing to maintain Josh Sargent’s services. The USMNT striker had been linked with moves to Wolfsburg and Burnley, but Norwich stood firm and kept him at Carrow Road.

The 25-year-old has netted 37 times in his last 65 second-tier appearances and has already scored five of the Canaries’ six league goals this season.

However, it wasn’t a perfect summer in Norfolk, as they were forced to part ways with another one of their most important players.

After bagging 18 Championship goals for Norwich last term, Borja Sainz completed a £14.25 million move to Portuguese outfit Porto.

Following his transfer, Football League World have explored how Sainz has started life at the Estádio do Dragão.

Borja Sainz has made an instant impact for Porto after Norwich City exit

Sainz showed last season that he has what it takes to perform at a higher level than the Championship, with his dazzling dribbling skills and clinical finishing levels above what most attackers in the division can produce.

The 24-year-old has proven that instantly at Porto, scoring two goals and providing one assist in his first four league appearances.

A Player of the Match display against Casa Pia AC saw Sainz notch a brace and alerted the Dragões’ faithful as to the enormous talent they now have on their hands.

He didn’t record a goal contribution in Porto’s crunch match away at reigning champions Sporting CP, but his creative presence and ability to work for the team shone throughout and allowed Francesco Farioli’s side to run out 2-1 victors.

Porto’s new boss clearly has faith in Sainz and views him as an essential part of the squad, with the former Norwich City forward starting every game the Portuguese outfit have played so far this season.

Borja Sainz will hope to take his form onto the European stage with Porto

It has been a brilliant start to life in Portugal for Sainz, but some of his biggest challenges lie in the coming weeks.

Obviously, Porto’s main goal will be to secure their 31st league title and first since the 2021/22 campaign. They are currently sitting at the top of the table and will be encouraged by their promising beginning to the season.

However, there will also be a real onus on the Dragões to perform in the Europa League.

They have a great history in the competition, claiming the prize in both 2003 and 2011. The higher-ups at Porto will be keen to add a third trophy to that tally, and Sainz must now prove he is capable of performing on the continental stage.

Porto will initiate their UEFA Europa League campaign with a trip to RB Salzburg before facing FK Crvena Zvedza, FC Utrecht, OGC Nice, Malmö, Viktoria Plzen and Rangers, while a return to England also beckons for Sainz when his side face Nottingham Forest away from home on October 23.

His encouraging performances thus far suggest he has what it takes, but only time will tell if the former Norwich City man can showcase his talent to the rest of Europe.