Zaidu wins back his place as FC Porto's defensive mainstay | OneFootball

There has been much speculation in recent weeks about the possibility of FC Porto signing a new left-back, allegedly because Zaidu and Francisco Moura do not offer sufficient guarantees to Francesco Farioli. However, the most recent results seem to have removed that need.

FC Porto have already played three official matches this season, against Torreense, Alverca and Rio Ave, recording three wins. Even more importantly, the Dragons have not conceded a single goal in those matches. Although that defensive solidity may be linked to players such as Diogo Costa, Victor Froholdt or the Polish centre-back pairing of Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior, there is another name playing an important role in keeping a clean sheet.

It is Zaidu Sanusi. Although he has not always been a fan favourite among FC Porto supporters and has on several occasions been linked with a possible departure from the current national champions, the 29-year-old Nigerian full-back has taken on a highly important role in the blue-and-white defensive sector.

Since his arrival at FC Porto in 2020, Zaidu has not always been the first choice on the left side of defence. Even so, he brings with him a positive note from last season: he regained his starting spot midway through the campaign and, since then, has become something of a lucky charm for the Dragons.

In the last 16 matches in which the Nigerian featured, FC Porto conceded only four goals, against Arouca, Stuttgart, Sporting de Braga and Nottingham Forest, all last season. In the matches against Famalicão and Estoril Praia, Diogo Costa was also beaten, but Zaidu was no longer on the pitch when those goals were scored.

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