José Cordoba sees Borja Sainz settled and happy at FC Porto | OneFootball

Borja Sainz continues to look for space at FC Porto in the new 2026/27 season, after a change in status that has not taken away his effectiveness against opponents. José Cordoba, the Spanish forward’s former teammate at Norwich City, highlighted his ability to make the difference, his adaptation to the club, and his resilience during a demanding personal moment. On his integration at FC Porto, he assured: “That is the most important thing.”

Signed from Norwich City a little over a year ago, Borja Sainz went from undisputed starter to backup option, given the rise of the partnership between Pepê and William Gomes. Even so, Francesco Farioli has used him in all eight matches played since the start of the season, always off the bench, and the Spaniard has responded with three goals. José Cordoba’s message is clear: confidence remains the ground where the winger finds his best version.

Asked about the qualities he saw at Carrow Road, the Panama international did not hesitate to point to Borja Sainz’s speed and ability to beat opponents. In his view, he is a player capable of making simple what usually requires risk and execution.

“When Borja is confident, he makes the difference and unsettles teams with his speed and ability to get past opponents. He does that very well and even gives the impression that it looks easy.”

José Cordoba also follows his former teammate’s path at FC Porto, largely because of the relationship he kept with him. And he sees a player settled into the new context.

“He started very well, I always try to watch the matches on television, and from the outside, I see Borja as very well adapted and happy. That is the most important thing.”

The picture drawn by the centre-back combines performance and comfort: Borja Sainz may have fewer minutes, but he continues to find ways to leave his mark when he comes on. The goals help support that response, while his adaptation seems to be consolidating away from the noise surrounding the starting spot.

José Cordoba went further by recalling how easy it was to play alongside the Spaniard and the way he interpreted the flank. The versatility between individual dribbling and linking up with the forwards is what stuck with him most.

“What he did was incredible. It was very easy to play with him, because he was always in the right place to hurt the opponent (…).”

The former teammate also stressed his preference for seeing him out wide, where his acceleration takes on another dimension.

“For me, I always loved seeing him as a winger, because he is capable of devouring the flank and the full-backs. Then he has the right creativity to combine with the forwards and be crucial in supplying them.”

It is in that combination of speed, creativity and attacking presence that Cordoba identifies Borja Sainz’s potential. Even as a backup option, the Spaniard retains attributes that can change the rhythm of a match and create imbalance in the wider attacking areas.

Off the pitch, José Cordoba remembered Borja Sainz as outgoing and ready to welcome those arriving in the dressing room. The relationship began when the Panamanian joined Norwich City, in an environment marked by shared references to football in his country.

“When I arrived, he welcomed me straight away together with Marcelino Nuñez. He was very playful,” he recalled. “Because he had the experience of having played with another Panamanian, at Alavés, Puma Rodríguez. I also heard about him, about his characteristics, through that mutual friendship. I remember Borja as outgoing, on and off the pitch.”

The personal memory carries even more weight in light of the death of Borja Sainz’s mother, Maria Begoña Egusquiza, on February 26. Since then, the forward has dedicated the goals he scores to her, in a tribute that accompanies his effort to maintain his competitive response.

“It is always very difficult to be at 100% when, off the pitch, there is a lot of noise or pain. But we are looking at a case of resilience, in which he was helped by his father and family.”

In José Cordoba’s words, the dimension of the player cannot be separated from that of the man. Between the fight for more space at FC Porto and the pain experienced off the pitch, Borja Sainz continues to respond with presence, goals and resilience.

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