Farioli on busy summer at Porto: “Froholdt? The club want to keep stars” | OneFootball

Francesco Farioli brought up a topic in the preview of the match against AVS, on matchday 33 of the Liga, that usually gains momentum as the season approaches its end: the transfer market. The FC Porto coach spoke about Victor Froholdt, the intention to retain talent, and the need to look at the squad with a cool head, amid loans, expiring contracts, and positions that require assessment. And he made one central idea very clear, assuring: “trying to keep our best players here.”

In the press room, with the league now entering the final stretch, Francesco Farioli sought to balance caution and planning. The message was consistent: before any decision, there is still a season to finish, but that does not stop FC Porto from already thinking about the core of the group and the choices it will have to make in the coming weeks.

Asked about Victor Froholdt, the market, and the perception of the Dane’s interest, Farioli began by praising the player’s journey and the progress he observed over the course of the season. Rather than responding to rumors, the coach focused on performances and the signals given by the player himself.

“Regarding Victor, first of all, credit must be given to the player for the level of focus he has shown, because of his consistency, the progress he has made, and the maturity he has shown in every game, and I think that says a lot,” he said. “He was not the only one to make fantastic progress, but I think his words after Saturday’s match were clear. On the one hand, there is the club’s clear desire and intention to move in the right direction, to try to keep our best players here and build on this group.”

In the coach’s words, there is a clear dual reading: individual recognition and, at the same time, the defense of an idea of continuity. At a stage when the market is beginning to circle the standout players, Farioli did not shut the door on the outside noise, but he stressed the club’s desire to protect the backbone of the team.

When the conversation turned to the market in general, including cases of players in uncertain contractual situations, the coach kept a calm tone. He spoke of ongoing processes, talks underway, and a dressing room that, regardless of each player’s future, has delivered what was asked of it.

“As for the market, as you know, there are some players here on loan, some whose contracts are coming to an end, and there are discussions with the players, with the agents, and with their clubs to understand the situations and the possible conditions,” he explained. “All of those players have helped with what we wanted, and I have a lot of gratitude for the professionalism and contribution they have given to the team, as well as a personal connection with all of them. We are close to some decisions, but nothing will be decided until the end of the league, because the focus is on trying to get the maximum number of points from the next two games.”

There is a very clear management approach here: separating planning from anxiety. Farioli acknowledges that the file is open and even admits that some decisions are close, but he holds back any rush with an immediate priority that he does not want to see contaminated by the summer ahead.

Faced with the possibility of departures and the need to strengthen certain areas, the coach appeared less tied to the emotion of the moment and more interested in a cold assessment of the squad. The team’s good run, he implied, should not cloud the diagnosis.

“We are at a moment when the positive wave in the league has to be put aside, and we must keep a cool head and analyze the team, where to improve, and go case by case, because there are positions where we have to do something. In attack it is a clear situation while we wait for Samu, and there are situations we have to assess; there is the option on Terem and we have to evaluate,” he said. “In addition, we have to listen to some players to understand whether they want to continue with us or not, as well as loan situations, and we are already working on the different dossiers.”

The final picture is that of a club that wants to preserve what it considers essential, without avoiding the areas of the squad that need intervention. Between the intention to keep the best players, the analysis of individual situations, and the identification of the most obvious needs, Farioli outlined a summer market that promises to be handled case by case, without losing sight of what still remains to be played.

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