From ugly duckling to key player: Zaidu shines again for FC Porto | OneFootball

The 19th minute was underway when Zaidu Sanusi advanced down the right flank of the attack to take a corner kick. Shortly after Gabri Veiga’s goal, the Estádio do Dragão witnessed an explosion of enthusiasm for Zaidu, whose recognition in applause was second only to that dedicated to the Spaniard. He neither scored nor provided an assist: he simply took the corner.

This episode clearly reflects the phase the Nigerian is going through in his sixth consecutive season with FC Porto. Not always cherished by the fans, the left-back has reasserted himself in Porto’s starting eleven, and his performances explain this consolidation.

“He waited for his opportunity and it came”

Strong performances against Nacional, Rio Ave, FC Arouca, Stuttgart, and Moreirense make Zaidu the main candidate to occupy FC Porto’s left-back position until the end of the 2025/2026 season. This Sunday, he left the Dragão to widespread applause, after helping the team secure a comfortable 3-0 victory.

This time, Farioli did not praise him, as he had already done so in the pre-match press conference. “I’m happy with Zaidu. There was a good possibility for him to leave for the Premier League. I spoke with him, asked what he wanted to do, if he was happy here, because in the first part of the season he had few minutes. But he always maintained great training capacity and replied that he was very happy here, having a role in the group, with the desire to compete in all three competitions.”

“He waited for his opportunity and it came soon after. He gave me the confidence to put him on the field and he is progressing well. He is one of the examples of this team, has an incredible attitude, and is loved by the fans. At the Dragão, when he touches the ball, you can feel a different atmosphere,” added the coach.

But, after all, what differentiates Zaidu from Francisco Moura? As has been usual in recent years, Zaidu is a full-back who exploits his great speed to create imbalances. Although he does not stand out for refined technique, he manages to use his body effectively to get past opponents in various situations—something in which the Portuguese player shows more difficulties.

Moreover, it is worth highlighting the evident improvements in his ball handling—although he is still far from being ideal—as was visible in the assist to Rodrigo Mora against Stuttgart, in an exemplary cross that resulted in the 0-2.

The Portuguese full-back, on the other hand, is going through a crisis of confidence, making serious mistakes in decisive matches. This has opened up space for Zaidu to stand out and secure his place in FC Porto’s starting eleven, which remains in the fight in all three competitions.

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