Rui Borges could spring big surprise in Sporting squad for Nacional | OneFootball

Moncef Zekri has now been properly registered by Sporting and could make his official debut wearing the Lions' shirt in the home match against Nacional, scheduled for this Saturday at Alvalade. The left-back has spent around a week working with the first team squad and is starting to come into Rui Borges’ plans.

According to newspaper A Bola, the Sporting coach has taken positive signs from the first few days of the 17-year-old at the Cristiano Ronaldo Academy. Rui Borges particularly likes the former Mechelen player’s attacking tendency, although he is aware that the Moroccan still has plenty of room to develop.

The personality shown by Zekri has also pleased the coaching staff. The full-back has shown a willingness to learn and adapt to the new demands, in a process that will be handled without pressure, especially since Maxi Araújo remains the undisputed first choice on the left side of Sporting's defense.

The question now is whether Rui Borges feels the time has come to call up Zekri for the first time. If he chooses to give the new signing more time, Rodrigo Dias remains available as an alternative, having already started against Estrela da Amadora and been included in the following matchday squads.

Signed from Mechelen for a fixed fee of 3 million euros, plus bonuses, Zekri arrives as an investment for the present and, above all, for the future. Sporting intend to help him develop in the shadow of Maxi Araújo, but the clash with Nacional could already provide the youngster’s first official experience at Alvalade.

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