Porto Coach Sergio Conceição Separates Four Players from Training
Spanish footballers Toni Martinez and Ivan Jaime, Mexican Jorge Sanchez, and Portuguese Andre Franco have been separated from training with the rest of the first team by Porto coach Sergio Conceição. The decision comes ahead of their upcoming match against Vitória de Guimarães.
Conceição did not provide specific explanations for the separation in a press conference, stating “there is nothing to say,” and emphasizing that more than just having a contract is required to work with Porto. It is likely that these four players will not be in the squad for the upcoming match.
This is not the first time Conceição has made such a decision, as in 2017, he withdrew Iker Casillas from the starting lineup due to performance issues. However, Casillas returned to the team shortly after.
Toni Martinez, Ivan Jaime, and Jorge Sanchez are players who have not been regular starters under Conceição. Martinez, a forward from Spain, has been with Porto since the 2020-21 season but has not secured a starting position. Jaime, a midfielder from Malaga, arrived last season from Famalicão and has also struggled to earn a spot in the starting eleven. Mexican defender Jorge Sanchez is on loan from Ajax and will return to the Dutch club at the end of the season.
Porto is currently in a tense situation, as they are facing the risk of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season. The club will also hold elections for the presidency on April 27, with current president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa facing a challenge from renowned coach André Villas-Boas.
The decision to separate the four players from training adds to the uncertainty surrounding Porto, as they prepare for their upcoming match against Vitória de Guimarães.