Football Season Guide

Chaves proved that the previous season was not a fluke, and performed even better, reaching a great 6th place while delivering a very pleasant football in the process. Of course, one of the biggest reasons for that success was the then new coach Luís Castro who implemented an attractive yet efficient football in Trás-os-Montes. However, Luís Castro left the club this season to join Guimarães, and his replacement is possibly the most different mind the board could think off from all Portuguese league coaches. Former Marítimo gaffer Daniel Soares was brought in to replace Castro, and should change the style completely into a more speculative and defensive approach, like he did last year with Marítimo, even in home games against inferior opponents. Another thing Chaves will have to cope with this season is the departure of their arguably best player of the last season: the flamboyant winger Matheus Pereira. The talented left-footed returned to Sporting having finally earned the chance to have a season over ther. Also important players like centre-half Domingos Duarte, midfielder dynamo Pedro Tiba and dangerous winger Davidson are all gone. However, Chaves avoided a major exodus as some other talents were kept, such as creative Bressan, goalscoring William and competent full-back Paulinho. The biggest surprise was, however, the way Chaves was able to keep centre-half Maras and central midfielder Eustáquio in their squad. The Serbian defender had an amazing debut season at Portugal and was from early on linked with a move to a bigger club. The youngster midfielder, on the other hand, had only half season at Chaves, but is a very hot prospect and no one expects him to stay at Chaves in the end of the current season, so ‘Flavienses’ should make good use of him during it. To face the important departures, Chaves board brought some also interesting players. Marcão had a good season with Rio Ave and will replace Domingos Duarte at the back. Ghazaryan will try to re-launch his career after a long injury, while Luís Martins continues continues with Daniel Soares (strangely enough, after having been slightly “ostracized” during last season at Marítimo). Most importantly, talented João Teixeira arrives on loan from Benfica after a good season at Setúbal, and should provide the attacking skills that Chaves used to rely on Matheus Pereira to deliver. Bruno Gallo returns to Portuguese league after having had a good impact in Marítimo back in 2014-15.