Saprissa again showed that aggressive and determined face in the leg market and went out to sign big to cover his needs. To the arrivals that the club has already announced, two more will be added that are at the front door: winger Bryan Oviedo and Panamanian defender Fidel Escobar, who, if confirmed, will end the great headaches that the Monster was dragging.
[ Saprissa devuelve a otro de sus extranjeros ]
It is no secret to anyone that Tibaseños have not achieved a solution in the left lane since 2009 when Oviedo left for Europe.
Moreover, 17 figures have passed through that sector since Horizonte Morado took control in 2011 and none was consolidated. Names like Esteban Sirias, Kraesher Mooke, Juan Manuel Morales, Moisés Hernández, Rafael Morales, Sebastián Diana, Wálter Cortés or Luis José Hernández held the position and could not consolidate themselves.
Regarding the central zone, in the Clausura Tournament 2022 the injuries reduced Kendall Waston and Aubrey David left for Alajuelense at the end of the championship. Although Pablo Arboine (24 years old) already put on the S shirt, it still seemed that coach Jeaustin Campos lacked one more man with experience and leadership, just what Escobar (27 years old) offers.
“These signings do not guarantee Saprissa that he will be champion, but now he has what it takes to fight for the title. We know what Oviedo brings, he has a lot of experience in Europe and in the National Team, he knows the game completely and he has clear decisions that he must make in defense and attack. While I have seen Escobar with the Panamanian national team, he is a very good player and has a good resume, now everything is that he fits well in the team and performs as he has shown before. They are players who like titles and know how to play in those moments”, analyzed Róger Flores.
Flores, a referent and ex-saprissista figure, added that: “Saprissa is doing well in the construction of a new campus. Jeaustin has been able to fill the gaps that he had in the team, he knows that he needs quality and quantity and he is achieving it, especially when he is in such a short championship and when there is so much pressure. Jeaustin likes to form teams with experience and a good level and he is on that path to shape it to go for the championship”.
In the case of Fidel, he arrives after passing through clubs in Spain, such as Córdoba, Alcorcón and lately with Cultural Leonesa (third division). The canalero has extensive experience in international soccer, since he was also in the Correcaminos of the Expansion League of Mexico (second), New York Red Bulls of the MLS of the United States and Sporting de Portugal two (second) . Likewise, he participated in the 2018 World Cup in Russia (started in all three games) and is a regular in the current calls of his team.
With Oviedo there is little to add, since he is one of the pillars of the National Team and finally gave the yes for which Saprissa fought so hard. Beyond the interest of the League, he returned to the club where he was trained. Of course, the lane should focus on picking up the pace, after his non-participation with Denmark’s Copenhagen and after the vacation period.
[ Saprissa suma dos salidas más en su plantel ]
precise movements
Róger Flores considers that Saprissa has been able to move in the market and did the right thing to leave behind an adverse season, in which he even came last and was eliminated in the semifinals at the hands of Alajuelense.
For Flores it is a success that the arrivals of Luis Paradela, Javon East, Youstin Salas and Pablo Arboine materialized.
“Jeaustin is attacking all the weaknesses that he saw and he is strengthening them so that he does not have those doubts in the championship. In addition, now he does have relays, because if he does not get to have one of the most experienced, another one comes after him who, with the competition, will level up and can respond. Everything is profit and Jeaustin appeals to build a team with figures that are compatible, make good partnerships and that give a lot of security, due to their journey and what they have experienced at the international level, “said Flores.
The purples also suffered the loss of Víctor Medina, Francisco Rodríguez, Jimmy Marín, Darixon Vuelto and Aubrey David, while Jordy Evans (Greece) and Julen Cordero (Guadalupe FC) went on loan.