Samu in line to start, but faces competition from Gül and De Jong | OneFootball

Samu remains at the top of FC Porto's scoring list this season, with nine goals, but the pressure from the competition requires the Spanish international to maintain maximum concentration and effort to keep his starting position.

The closest competitors are Deniz Gül and Luuk de Jong. The Turkish international has been coming off the bench and scoring crucial goals, while the Dutchman, who is about to return to the field, is expected to be fit within a month and provide another offensive option for Francesco Farioli.

In nine matches and 270 minutes of play, Deniz Gül has already equaled the two goals he scored in 24 games (653’) last season. Always used as a substitute, he made two decisive strikes: the 2-0 in Arouca, shortly after Martim Fernandes was sent off, and the goal in Moreirense that completed the comeback and victory. In Moreira de Cónegos, he received the MVP award and has been winning the admiration of the fans, who even dedicated a song to him. His performance justified the refusal by the SAD management of a sale proposal in the summer when the club invested 4.5 million euros in his signing in 2024.

Luuk de Jong, who only arrived in the last transfer window, had his adaptation hindered by a sprain with an internal lateral ligament injury in his left knee during a training match with Lusitânia de Lourosa on September 8. According to Record, the 35-year-old forward is expected to resume running exercises this week at the Jorge Costa Training and Sports Development Center and be fit within a month.

Although he will miss the most demanding cycle of games until the next break, De Jong is expected to be available from December, when, for example, the Europa League enters its decisive phase. To speed up his return, the Dutchman will continue to train regularly at the training center, just like Nehuén Pérez, even with the rest of the squad on break. In summary, FC Porto's offensive bench is gaining greater depth.

Deniz Gül and Luuk de Jong have already scored this season. Before the injury, the Dutchman scored FC Porto's first goal in the victory at Alvalade against Sporting. The Turkish international scored in Arouca and Moreira de Cónegos, now sharing third place on FC Porto's top scorers list with Pepê and Borja Sainz. The second spot, behind Samu, belongs to William Gomes, with four goals.

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