Signings and patience with stars: how Crespo sees São Paulo’s needs | OneFootball

Coach Hernán Crespo started the season demanding reinforcements from the tricolor board. After the defeat to Mirassol last Sunday, the coach considered the departures and arrivals in the squad, as well as the players who are recovering, and made a brief assessment of the pieces he has available in the team.

In the commander's view, São Paulo still needs at least five players to strengthen the squad. The Tricolor suffered from a wave of injuries last season but is working to ensure the scenario does not repeat in 2026. To this end, they have restructured the medical and physiotherapy departments, hiring 12 new professionals.

“We have to be there, try to reinforce with five or six players, because we need it. Numerically, we need it. For now, it's about continuing to work and thinking about the next game. Here, we are all together. It's very difficult. The idea is to be all together, try to do the best possible to make the best possible this year, because it will be very difficult,” said Crespo.

So far, São Paulo has announced three reinforcements in this transfer window. The first was midfielder Danielzinho, followed by goalkeeper Carlos Coronel and defender Matheus Dória.

The Tricolor also has a pre-contract signed with right-back Lucas Ramon from Mirassol. The defender has a contract with the team from the interior of São Paulo until May of this year.

On the other hand, the club has already parted ways with seven players from the squad: goalkeeper Jandrei, full-backs Maílton and Patryck, midfielder Luiz Gustavo, and forwards Erick, Dinenno, and Rigoni. Oscar is negotiating an amicable termination after deciding to retire, and Rodriguinho is close to joining Red Bull Bragantino.

Patience with stars

Crespo also asked for patience with the stars of the squad who have not yet reached their best physical level, such as Lucas and Calleri. Number 7 dealt with issues in his right knee and returned to play in the Paulista debut against Mirassol, while the Argentine is already training normally with the group after recovering from a serious knee injury but has not yet returned to the field.

“Calleri needs time. He is not yet at his best level to play, Lucas and Wendell as well. We have to use them trying to get results that allow us to reach the quarterfinals and recover Calleri. I said, both Calleri and Lucas, the idea is that they are reinforcements, that maybe they will arrive, but we should not place hope in them and see them as the saviors of São Paulo. I think it is not fair, it is not right,” Crespo assessed.

https://twitter.com/SaoPauloFC/status/2011181604249747806?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

"Besides Calleri, São Paulo still has four other players in the medical department. Midfielder Luan has started the physical transition process. Meanwhile, André Silva and Ryan Francisco have advanced in recovering from knee injuries. Finally, Enzo Díaz still alternates activities on the field and in the gym after surgery to correct an inguinal hernia.“We don't have the numbers to play at a certain level, we have many injured players who are returning, who still need time and minutes. It is a delicate moment and we are working to improve. The window is open until March 3, so there is still time for many things. The problem is that we have many games, so we have no space to breathe, to build,” concluded the coach.Upcoming São Paulo matchesSão Paulo vs São Bernardo (second round of the Paulistão)Date and time: 01/15 (Thursday), at 9:45 PM (Brasília time)Location: Morumbi, in São Paulo (SP)Corinthians vs São Paulo (third round of the Paulistão)Date and time: 01/18 (Sunday), at 4:00 PM (Brasília time)Location: Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo (SP)

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