Marcel Brands may regret sending Joao Virginia on loan to Sporting Lisbon in the summer transfer window, as the Everton star’s spell in Portugal is so far proving to be a nightmare.
The Leoes sought to refresh their goalkeeper options in the off-season by loaning Virginia after winning the Primeira Liga title. Antonio Adan guarded the net in 32 of their 34 league fixtures, however lacked depth after Luis Maximiliano joined Granada.
Virginia had enjoyed a breakthrough on Merseyside last term, but knew further chances to feature would be slim this season. Injuries to Jordan Pickford and Robin Olsen forced Carlo Ancelotti to hand Virginia a surprise Premier League debut in March.
Virginia impressed from the bench against Burnley, before standing out between the sticks against Manchester City in the FA Cup. The Toffees lost 2-0 to Pep Guardiola’s Citizens, but the Portuguese’s stops kept them in the tie until the 84th-minute.
Pickford and former Roma loanee Olsen returning to fitness saw Virginia fall out of favour under Ancelotti again. Rafa Benitez also brought Asmir Begovic in to replace Olsen as his number two after succeeding Ancelotti at the helm. Leaving Virginia once more in the cold.
So, Virginia seized an opportunity to impress by leaving Everton for Sporting Lisbon on loan in the summer transfer window. However, his status has only remained as a back-up, with Ruben Amorim keeping faith in 34-year-old Adan.
Virginia enduring nightmare Sporting loan after Everton exit
Virginia has endured a nightmare loan at Sporting Lisbon so far, with the Everton ace yet to make his debut. Amorim has only named the 22-year-old on his bench for all seven possible games across all competitions to date.
Adan, meanwhile, is giving Amorim little reason to make a change, with four clean sheets over 11 appearances so far. The Leoes are also unbeaten in the Primeira Liga and lifted the Portuguese Super Cup, although are winless in Europe.
Brands may rue sanctioning Virginia’s loan transfer from Everton, and his regret will build the longer his Sporting wait continues. Especially if the Toffees Director of Football wanted to offload the £10,000-per-week ace David Unsworth dubbed a ‘revelation’ permanently.
Reports by Record prior to Virginia’s move to the Jose Alvalade Stadium claimed Sporting obtained a €3.5m (£3m) option to buy the Everton shot-stopper as part of their loan deal. But it is unlikely they will consider purchasing him if Amorim refuses to award any minutes.
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