Sporting star likened to Viktor Gyokeres, needs to improve in key area | OneFootball

Giannis Goumas has no doubt that Fotis Ioannidis will make Sporting fans forget about Viktor Gyokeres. The former Panathinaikos striker, who spent his entire career at the Greek club, knows the green-and-white center-forward well, keeps in touch with him, and gave an interview to the newspaper A Bola, where he spoke about the characteristics of the Sporting player.

"When I first called him up to the under-19s, he was still at a smaller club, Levadiakos. I was very impressed. Strong in duels, able to hold the ball under suffocating pressure, able to create space for his teammates and, most importantly for a striker... he scored easily," began the man who was also a youth coach for the Greek national team.

Goumas continued: "I have a personal relationship with Fotis and we talk whenever the opportunity arises. He wanted to take this step to Sporting since last year, but Panathinaikos didn’t let him leave. Because he was the captain, the best player, and made the difference. I am sure he is absolutely happy with this choice and in a short time he will become influential at Sporting."

"He was captain, one of the fans’ favorites, his departure saddened the supporters and brought uncertainty about whether the void would be filled. Everyone dreams that one day he might return (...) On the pitch it was his insight, leadership qualities, and talent; off the pitch, it was his personality and character that stood out," he went on to explain about the Sporting player – who is about to receive good news at Alvalade.

To conclude, he did not forget the former green-and-white striker: "What he needs to improve is that as a center-forward, he needs to be more inside the opponent’s box and ready to shoot, not waste energy outside the box so that he has a clear mind to finish the play in the best way. He needs to moderate that (...) The Swede is one of the best strikers in the world right now, but I think Fotis will replace him worthily and will become a catchphrase among Sporting fans. He will make the fans forget Gyokeres quickly. I am sure of it."

Check out here the presentation video of Fotis Ioannidis:

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