TugaScout is an English-language site reporting on matters associated with Portuguese football by freelance writer Alex Goncalves, offering the latest news, reviews and opinions surrounding the Portuguese League and the Seleção players based abroad.

​Sevilla manager urges Portugal not to call up Andre Silva - and demands intervention from UEFA if they do

Joaquin Caparros, the manager of Andre Silva's current club Sevilla, has gone on record to say that he hopes his striker is not in Portugal's Nations League squad next month.

Silva, who is only on loan at the Spanish outfit from AC Milan, has been struggling for game time at the La Liga club in recent weeks due to injury.

And Caparros believes that Silva should therefore be left at home for recovery.

He said "for the good of the Portuguese national team they should not call him up to play. It would be bad for him and his recovery."

If Fernando Santos were to ignore his requires, he has demanded UEFA to step in and take action, saying that if Andre Silva does get called up, "UEFA should intervene and listen to the medical report of the team that pays him."

"It would be an insult to football if he were called up."

It is still unclear whether Sevilla will take up their option to sign Silva permanently for 35 million euros this summer.

Should Andre Silva be left out of the squad, Portugal's other options to play up front would include Cristiano Ronaldo, Dyego Sousa, João Felix and Diogo Jota, although the latter two would likely need to play in a duo rather than as a lone striker; the same goes for Benfica star Rafa Silva.

Gonçalo Guedes would also be able to operate up front, while there could be a route back into the national team for the likes of Eder, Nelson Oliveira or Paulinho should Fernando Santos want a more physical out-and-out striker in the side.

Rafael Leão would seem the most suitable replacement, but because he's in the U20 World Cup squad, he will be unavailable for selection for Fernando Santos.

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