Portugal squad for crucial World Cup playoffs to be announced - here's what the squad could look like
Portugal’s World Cup hopes all come down to this. Two one-legged affairs will have to be navigated successfully should Portugal want to keep their perfect record of qualifying for every major tournament since the start of the century going.
But they will have to do it without some crucial members of their playing squad. Renato Sanches will at the very least miss the Turkey outing through suspension, and injury will likely rule him out of the second match should Portugal get there. Cancelo is also out against Turkey due to the accumulation of yellow cards, while Ruben Dias, a rock in defence, is to miss out through injury, as is Nelson Semedo, who has been having an excellent campaign with Wolverhampton Wanderers. There are therefore some real issues for Fernando Santos to consider and find a solution to.
Nevertheless, Portugal are blessed with a large national pool in modern football, with no shortage of stars in every position. As such, here’s a look at what the Portugal squad could look like.
GOALKEEPERS: There isn’t too much doubt about this one, though the third choice keeper could be up for debate. No doubt, however, that stalwart Rui Patricio will be included in the squad alongside arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, Jose Sa. Many have even suggested Sa should start for Portugal such is his form - and there's certainly a case to be made for that. Nevertheless, Patricio has also been having a great campaign at Mourinho’s Roma, and doesn’t really deserve to be dropped. But Santos has something to think about in this department.
The third choice goalkeeper is more challenging to predict. Anthony Lopes has been a regular for Lyon for so long and so often performs, while Porto’s Diogo Costa is also more than deserving of a place in the team after usurping Marchesin and performing so well all season. Brazilian born Matheus continues to be one of the best goalkeepers in Portugal too and has made no secret of his desire to represent the country at international level. Perhaps beating them to the spot, however, is Rui Silva of high-flying Real Betis. He has been a reliable figure between the sticks for Pelligrini’s side, and is a big reason for their Champions League push.
DEFENDERS: Should fitness permit it, Pepe is clearly going to be in the squad. Despite being 39 years of age now, Pepe remains so important for club and country, and hopefully the head injury suffered against Lyon is not too serious. Alongside him in the absence of Ruben Dias will be Jose Fonte, another veteran of the game, but another player who keeps stepping up for his country when needed, and for his club Lille too.
It’s not too easy to predict the other one or two centrebacks to be included. Domingos Duarte is a real possibility having been called up in the past, although Granada haven’t been good this season. More likely perhaps is Sporting CP’s Luis Neto or Goncalo Inacio, who both seem a good bet to be called up. Tiago Djalo of Lille is definitely also deserving of a call-up though, after having a really strong season in France. Santos may look for more experience though, so may favour Neto and, despite actually being younger, Inacio, as the latter has at least been called up to the Portugal squad before despite not playing.
At right back, you can expect Joao Cancelo to be called up even if he is suspended for the first match, while his positional rival is slightly less clear. The most talented available option is Ricardo Pereira, although he has not been back from injury for all that long. Maybe more likely is Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot or even Arsenal’s Cedric Soares, who was part of Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph. Perhaps Diogo Dalot is most likely though.
Meanwhile at left back, things should be more straightforward to predict. Raphael Guerreiro and Nuno Mendes should be the two vying to start versus Turkey.
MIDFIELDERS: This could actually be quite challenging to predict, with the likes of Danilo Pereira, William Carvalho and Sergio Oliveira all finding form. Certainly Ruben Neves has to be included, as does Joao Palhinha. Who will be included alongside them is less clear, but Danilo Pereira is perhaps the most likely, particularly as he is able to provide excellent cover at centreback as well. The experienced Joao Moutinho will also likely be involved, such a reliable servant for his nation, while Matheus Nunes should really be included, able to offer something similar to that of the injured Renato Sanches that can add a spark to the midfield. Clearly both Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes will be on Santos’ list, and are expected to play a key role. The final midfielder to be in the squad, if indeed there is another one, is less clear, but Otavio is a possible inclusion.
FORWARDS: Joining Cristiano Ronaldo in the forward areas, you can expect the rejuvenated Joao Felix to be present in the team, as should Diogo Jota and Andre Silva. We should also see Benfica’s Rafa Silva in there, offering something slightly different to the others with his incredible pace. The reliable Goncalo Guedes is once again back in form too, so he should make the cut. There may not, however, be space for Pedro Goncalves on this occasion, who may see others selected ahead of him, with Daniel Podence perhaps also just missing out. One very deserving player, however, is Rafael Leao. With that in mind, don’t be surprised if Leao is called up ahead of one of the four central defenders.
