Rui Borges may start regular substitute against Sporting, he’s ready | OneFootball

Rui Borges revealed, in a preview of the match against Tondela, that João Simões is ready to be a starter in the League - just as Augusto Inácio admitted. The midfielder has been used in the Lions' starting eleven in the Champions League, but has only accumulated three minutes of playing time in the National Championship.

"He is as prepared as anyone else. He has responded well whenever the coach has felt those were the best opportunities for him. He had a somewhat difficult pre-season, in terms of the level we were expecting from him," said Rui Borges.

Rui Borges also praised the midfielder: "He has grown. He’s been called up. Tomorrow we’ll see. He has given a fantastic response. He will be a leader at Sporting, I have no doubt about it. He’s at a stage of maturity, he has very good qualities. He’s a fantastic kid."

This season, wearing the Sporting shirt, João Simões - valued at 6 million euros - has made four appearances. The midfielder, trained at the Cristiano Ronaldo Academy, has 145 minutes: 142 in the Champions League and three in Liga Portugal Betclic.

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