A future without their stars; Can http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186 repeat last season’s heroics?
Champions of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Helton-c16018 lifted the magnificent UEFA Europa League trophy in Dublin.
Armed to teeth with arguably the best out-and-out striker on the continent, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Radamel-Falcao-c30276, not to mention his partner, Hulk, the Portistas were relishing in the glory of an unprecedented quadruple and could hardly contain their excitement for the start
of the new campaign.
Back then, emulating their envious feats not only seemed realistic, but there was an aura of supremacy that the club could go one further and perhaps do the unthinkable, lift Europe’s biggest prize, the UEFA Champions League.
Those dreams were dashed by a series of events, which started with the resignation of coach Andre Villas-Boas.
Leading a plethora of stars to silverware is a sight that all trainers savour and enjoy. Villas-Boas was no different. He won every competition he entered but there was still something lacking, a destiny if you will.
The Portuguese tactician was mentored at each step by Jose Mourinho, who let the former Academica boss accompany him to the highest echelons of football in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926 and England. However, Villas-Boas was living in his mentor’s shadow and in order to cement his
legacy as the ‘new Special One’ chose to become the leader of the Blue revolution at Stamford Bridge.
With his departure, many players grew unsettled at Estadio do Dragao. Radamel Falcao, Hulk and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rolando-c31583 continued to lead the rumour mill in Italy.
Hulk, Guarin and Rolando showed uncommon loyalty and decided to stay with Porto. But the single biggest loss the club sustained was Radamel Falcao’s departure to Atletico Madrid.
The Colombian hit man had fired on all cylinders during the magical 2010/2011 campaign and it was no surprise that with his 39 goals, the Dragons were able to brush aside all competition. Falcao continued where he had left off and carried his red hot form
to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Argentina-c2841, where he put on a good showing with the Coffee Growers in the Copa America.
After his return, reports began to emerge that he was on the verge of a move to Chelsea, but the 25-year-old quickly dispelled that notion by penning a lucrative new deal at the helm.
That proved to be of little meaning as Falcao finally put an end to all the speculation and engineered a €47 million switch to Atletico Madrid, a decision intensely scrutinized given that his new employers did not even make it to the UEFA Champions League.
Falcao’s exit set the example for Porto star players; leave now or suffer later.
The quickest to respond to his former teammates call was Alvaro Pereira. The attacking full-back also enjoyed his best season in Dragao colours and with his glowing reputation, was able to attract the attention of Chelsea, for whom he almost signed for.
After the dust settled, the only capable player left was http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Hulk-c16436, who only stayed because no one was willing to match his €100 million buyout clause.
The Brazilian International has had a good start to the season but that’s the only positive new manager http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 and Vitoria
Guimaraes is not something a quadruple winning side should be boasting about.
Without their visionary coach, Andre Villas-Boas, and the mercurial Radamel Falcao, FC Porto are in an ominous situation, where the chances of retaining their titles are bleak and lifting silverware hard-fought.
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