Football Season Guide

Vitoria de Guimaraes

In


Bruno Varela (gk) Ajax, NED; Matous Trmal (gk) Slovacko, SVK; Gideon Mensah (def) RB Salzburg - on loan; Abdul Mumin (def) Nordsjaelland, DEN; Yann Bisseck (def) Roda, NED (on loan from Koln, GER); Sílvio (def) Setúbal; Jonas Carls (def) Schalke 04, GER - on loan; Jorge Fernandes (def) Kasimpasa, TUR; Pepelu (mid) Tondela (on loan from Levante, SPA); Jaccob Maddox (mid) Southampton, ENG; Nicolas Janvier (mid) B-team; Kim Jung-min (mid) Admira Wacker, AUT; Francisco Ramos (mid) Santa Clara - return from loan; Nelson Luz (att) 1.º de Agosto, ANG; Ricardo Quaresma (mid/att) Kasimpasa, TUR; Lyle Foster (att) Cercle Brugge, BEL; Noah Holm (att) RB Leipzig, GER;

Out


Douglas (r)(gk) retired; Miguel Silva (sp)(gk) Apoel, CYP; Victor Garcia (sp)(def) released; Bondarenko (sp)(def) Shakhtar Donetsk, UKR - return from loan; Florentin Hanin (r)(def) Paris FC, FRA; Pepê Rodrigues (k)(mid) Olimpyakos, GRE; Lucas Evangelista (sp)(mid) RB Bragantino, BRA; JC Teixeira (r)(mid) Feyenoord, NED; Leo Bonatini (sp)(att) Wolverhampton, EG - return from loan; Yakubu Aziz (att) Estoril - on loan; Davidson (r)(att) Alanyaspor, TUR; Nuninho (att) Felgueiras; João Pedro (sp)(att) Paços de Ferreira;

Coming from a disappointing season. Vitória was out from European places and that can never be considered a good thing for the demanding supporters. Even worse: Guimarães finished 10 points away from arch-rivals Braga. Club seems decided to make a fresh new start, having brought a new (and totally unexperienced) gaffer Tiago Mendes (former Chelsea, Lyon and Atletico midfielder) along with many new (and unknown) players to rebuild the squad. Several faces from the past were just let go, like Douglas and Pedro Henriques, while key members from last season Pepê, Teixeira and Hanin were sold. Guimarães focused mainly on foreigner young unknown players to build the new squad, but the highlight must certainly be the 36-years old Quaresma. The biggest move was however the surprising staying of absolute star Marcus Edwards, who was thought to be moving to a big name this season after having impressed all Europe with dazzling performances at 'Cidade Berço'. Veiga was brought for goal, which should be considered a risky move at least, after he was never totally convincing in all places he was in. With many names with all to prove being brought, Vitória will surely be depending on the physical condition of players who have picked big injuries in recent times, like Joseph Amoah, André André, Sacko and Wakaso.

Target


Getting back to European qualification places. Getting closer to Braga would be a bonus, but that may be an over stretch, at this point.