Tomás da Cunha says Sporting do not trust Rui Borges' duo | OneFootball

Pedro Lima’s signing, made official last Thursday, continues to generate analysis and debate among experts, especially at a time when Sporting are preparing a major midfield overhaul for the 2026/27 season.

Tomás da Cunha discussed the arrival of the former AVS player and believes the deal says a lot about what Rui Borges is looking for in the team’s midfield. “I don’t know what ceiling Sporting see for Pedro Lima, but the signing shows the need to add a left-footed and versatile midfielder (in terms of spaces and roles),” said the analyst.

In Tomás da Cunha’s view, the move for the Brazilian may also reflect some doubts regarding the options already in the Sporting squad for that area of the pitch: “Bragança (because of a lack of trust in his role as a midfielder) and Simões (one-dimensional, based on how he has been used) do not appear to have full approval,” he added, in an analysis of the characteristics of the two midfielders developed at the Alcochete Academy.

Pedro Lima, 23, was signed from AVS SAD for a fixed fee of €4 million, with the deal potentially rising to €6 million through performance-related objectives. The midfielder signed a contract until 2031 and was protected by an €80 million release clause.

The Brazilian’s arrival is part of Sporting’s strategy to strengthen the midfield, a department that has already welcomed Rodrigo Zalazar and will also include Issa Doumbia, while Silas Andersen remains very close to joining the green-and-whites.

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