Everton first-team outcast Joao Virginia struggling at Sporting Lisbon
Everton goalkeeper Joao Virginia is struggling at Sporting Lisbon and hasn’t made an appearance for the Portuguese giants yet.
Liverpool World report that the 22-year-old goalkeeper has really struggled out on loan, with Antonio Adan appearing to be the first-choice goalkeeper.
Virginia could have been the Toffees’ number two keeper this season, but Rafael Benitez decided to bring Asmir Begovic in and Virginia was sent out on loan but is really struggling.
Liverpool World said: “The goalkeeper was granted a temporary exit to aid his promising progress.
“However, Virginia has found things tough back in his homeland.
“The 22-year-old is still to make an appearance for Sporting, with Antonio Adan firmly first-choice stopper.”
Well, we are still very early into the season, and Sporting do compete on numerous fronts.
So, you would think there will be an opportunity for the goalkeeper to make an impression for one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.
However, given that Sporting have played seven games already and Virginia has not made one first-team appearance yet, perhaps he isn’t doing enough in training, or Adan is too good.
Either way, it is up to Virginia, who joined Everton in 2018, shortly after the appointment of Marcel Brands [official Everton website] to prove what he can do when given a chance to impress.
Now, the Portuguese side have an option to buy inserted into the loan deal, but we can’t see that being activated any time soon unless something changes [Record].
However, even if Sporting don’t activate the option to buy, what good is this loan doing for Everton?
Virginia is just sat on the bench, and if that situation doesn’t change, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Toffees recall him in January.
In other Everton news, Simon Jordan issues claim on former Toffees man linked with Newcastle.
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