Rui Borges names surprise starter for Sporting v Alverca | OneFootball

The signs had been emerging in recent weeks, and the good performances in training and matches confirmed the trend: João Simões is going to gain prominence in Sporting's midfield and is even expected to return as a starter in the upcoming match this Friday, October 31, against Alverca, alongside Morten Hjulmand.

According to the newspaper A Bola, Rui Borges has already made the decision to promote the 18-year-old midfielder in the hierarchy of the green and whites, which ends up overshadowing Giorgi Kochorashvili, despite the young lion's quieter start to the season.

The midfielder trained in Alcochete has surpassed the Georgian in the race and is now on equal footing with Hidemasa Morita in the fight for a spot in the starting eleven. At the moment, the same source reveals that João Simões is slightly ahead of the Japanese international, who is going through a phase of lower performance and is approaching the end of his contract, with no renewal in sight.

Rui Borges, nonetheless, counts on Morita for the rest of the season, but intends to give more space and minutes to the young lion, recognizing his intensity, versatility, and recovery ability, characteristics that free up Hjulmand for a more offensive role.

This season, wearing the Sporting jersey, João Simões - valued at 6 million euros - has played five matches. The midfielder trained at the Cristiano Ronaldo Academy has 235 minutes: 142 in the Champions League and 93 in the Liga Portugal Betclic.

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