Redemption? Luan wins over Roger, gets backing for new deal | OneFootball

More observant São Paulo fans may have noticed that in recent weeks, speculation in the news about the club’s plans to sign a defensive midfielder has disappeared.

There is an explanation for that. Coach Roger Machado is absolutely convinced that Luan has been performing well enough to remain at Morumbi after his contract expires in December.

According to what AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR has learned, the manager has become one of the biggest supporters of renewing the midfielder’s contract, having approved of his performances in the last two Copa Sudamericana matches, when he started.

It is quite a turnaround, considering that Luan had been included on some of the board’s lists of players available for release since the start of the year. He was also one of the indirect reasons behind Hernán Crespo’s dismissal, after being surprisingly named in the starting lineup for the Paulista Championship semifinal against rivals Palmeiras.

What happened is that, with the injuries to Pablo Maia and Marcos Antônio, along with the physical wear and tear of other midfielders in the squad, such as Bobadilla and Danielzinho, Luan regained his place in the team. Number 33 has not been left out of a matchday squad since the win over Primavera in the Paulista Championship on February 7. This season, he has already made 11 appearances, four as a starter, in addition to being included in the squad for another ten matches. In other words, out of São Paulo’s 29 matches this year, the midfielder has been absent from only seven.

A comeback, without a doubt. Especially for a player who raises more doubts than certainties. Developed at Cotia, Luan has been part of São Paulo’s first team since 2019. After reaching his peak in 2021, when he scored the goal that secured the state title, he had more low points than high ones, even being loaned to Vitória in 2024 and training separately after returning from the Bahia-based club the following year.

It was only with Crespo’s return, the same coach from 2021, that Luan started being included again, though without the consistency he has shown this season.

For now, the subject of Luan’s renewal is being handled cautiously. São Paulo will wait for the calendar break for the World Cup to discuss the matter. An initial contact between the board and the player’s representatives indicated that his priority is to remain at Morumbi.

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