“If Chermiti signs a new contract, I won’t get any forwards.” This is how Rúben Amorim shot at the press conference when asked about the 18-year-old striker who made his debut in a Lisbon derby, far from rival Benfica, with the result open and 78 minutes on the scoreboard. The presence of Yussef Chermiti left his mark on the game, in what were the first minutes of the imposing striker in the sports season.
Born in Vila do Porto, on the island of Santa Maria (Azores), Youssef Chermiti is the son of a Tunisian father and a Cape Verdean mother. He played indoor soccer and soccer in the early years of his career, escaping the familiar sport of basketball. His father and his sisters excelled in this modality, but Youssef revealed an aptitude for soccer and goals. He arrives at Sporting’s main team with 1 meter 93 centimeters, a striker profile that can contribute something to the highest level of competition in Portugal. This is how Filipe Pedro, the coach who guided Youssef Chermiti in the under-23s at Sporting, explains it on TSF.
“He has shown a lot of courage since he arrived at the quarry. He reached the Sub 23 shortly after the start of the season. He came from the Sub 17, had some performance and ended up making it to the B team. He didn’t do so well, with some accumulated wear and tear. I think that after Rúben Amorim’s words he will only be able to grow and feel valued”, explains Filipe Pedro, a 35-year-old coach.
And what Rúben Amorim said cannot fail to influence the player in a decision about the future. “Looking at Chermiti… We are discussing a new contract with him. If he signs a new contract, we won’t look for another striker. He, Rodrigo and Paulinho are my strikers. Sign a new contract, I won’t.” look for more center forwards”, explained the coach. The striker’s relationship with the lions ends in 2024. Which means that the player is free to sign for a new club in January 2024.
Paulinho, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Youssef to attack the second part
Born in 2004, Chermiti is looking for opportunities in a team where Rúben Amorim has opted for Rodrigo Ribeiro, a year younger. “Youssef (Chermiti), being in the same position as Rodrigo Ribeiro, has different characteristics that can be used. He has a very strong physical capacity, a lot of ability to play with his back to the goal, as a forward support. playing with speed, attacking the back of the defence, filling areas with shots inside the box with good shooting ability”.
In the comparison between the two youngest strikers there are differences that value the team, says Filipe Pedro. “Rodrigo is a player who likes short combinations, he likes to come for the ball, participate in the play to appear in a space to shoot. That difference between Rodrigo Ribeiro and Youssef is very useful for Sporting”.
Afonso Moreira and others to grow and appear
“Youssef has a lot of room to grow. We can’t say that, just because he came on after ten or 15 minutes and created a goal situation against Benfica, he is clearly prepared. But sometimes looking outside, not sure that that is coming player, it is better to look for solutions at home, with qualities that can be taken advantage of and even contribute something to the squad, and even, in the future, represent sales for the club. Youssef fits this profile”, underlines the former coach of the Leones sub -2. 3.
The address of the club is indicated in the Amorim options. Dario Essugo, Rodrigo Ribeiro and Mateus Fernandes, Chico Lamba and Marsá are proof. “Until now he has had (an important role in the team). They have all been used in different matches. Some have had some bad luck, like Dário (Essugo) and Mateus (Fernandes), with room to make mistakes that have occurred at this stage, with the privilege of the youngest, they have room to grow, to one day be good sales for the club and so players continue to appear ”.
Amorim’s bet comes with experience in national teams. “They are players with a presence in the different levels of formation of the national team. They are also very useful players in Sporting’s training levels, which gives them a great ability to adapt to these moments”, indicates Filipe Pedro. “Also this weekend Afonso Moreira scored another goal for team B [Liga 3]. He is another player who is standing out, who will appear in a short time. And others will come.”
Source: TSF
