Vojvoda tries every centre-back as Santos’ defensive instability worsens after Frías injury | OneFootball

Juan Pablo Vojvoda has run the rule over every centre-back in his squad, yet Santos remain defensively unstable. The problem has deepened with Adonis Frías sidelined by a right calf injury as the club battle Paulistão relegation fears, chase progression, and try to recover from a poor Brasileiro start.

According to Globo.com, Frías had been emerging as a starter and is set to miss the next matches.

With Frías unavailable, João Basso is in line for more minutes. He had not been selected since Vojvoda arrived last year, and only made his first appearance under the Argentine in last Wednesday’s Brasileiro clássico with São Paulo.

Alexis Duarte has featured only six times since joining mid-season last year, and poor displays have recurred. In the league opener against Chapecoense, he was directly involved in at least three of the four goals conceded in defeat. Santos have been looking to negotiate the Paraguayan, while he seeks consistent game time to fight for a World Cup call-up.

Zé Ivaldo began this year as a starter but lost his place after a poor outing against Corinthians in the Paulistão, spending three of the last four games on the bench. Luan Peres, who started the season among the substitutes, has since been given more chances.

The board also favour a homegrown route. Under-20 defenders João Alencar and João Ananias have trained with the seniors and been named in matchday squads, though neither has yet played. Both are well regarded and seen as candidates for opportunities as the year unfolds.

Santos’ centre-back issues stretch back to early 2025. Zé Ivaldo arrived on loan from Cruzeiro and Luisão came from Novorizontino, but under Pedro Caixinha poor form led to veteran Gil being recalled, then later he left for personal reasons and retired.

Under Cleber Xavier, Luisão did not convince, a clause tied to Ivaldo’s loan also counted against him, and João Basso was used alongside Luan Peres. In the last window the board spent to sign Adonis Frías and Alexis Duarte, but only Frías settled.

Vojvoda replaced Cleber Xavier and restored Zé Ivaldo, who ended last year as a starter. He then met appearance targets in his loan, obliging Santos to complete a permanent deal this season.

Source: Globo.com