Sporting midfield revamp: more height, more power and 50m spent | OneFootball

Sporting carried out a major midfield overhaul for the new season, opting for a younger, stronger, and more physically imposing central area. The strategy was defined by the club’s board together with Rui Borges’ coaching staff.

The four signings secured for midfield—namely Silas Andersen, Sergi Altimira, Issa Doumbia, and Pedro Lima—brought a significant increase in the squad’s average height. Altogether, the new arrivals add around eight centimeters compared to last season’s midfield, in a change designed to give the team a greater physical presence.

In addition to height, the average weight also rose significantly, going from 74.4 kilograms to 80.7 kilograms, reflecting a clear focus on a more muscular profile. Conversely, the average age dropped significantly, falling from 26.2 years to 22.7, making the sector younger and with greater room for development.

Among the new signings, Issa Doumbia stands out as the heaviest player, while only Pedro Lima comes in under 80 kilograms. In terms of height, Silas Andersen emerges as the tallest midfielder in the group, highlighting the new physical trend implemented in Sporting’s squad.

The revamp is part of Sporting’s overall plan for the new season, with a major investment of around €50 million in the central area. The idea is to build a team that is stronger in duels and better prepared to try to reclaim the title lost in 2025/26.

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