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Sporting CP have found their own "Striking Viking" in Viktor Gyökeres

At 6’2/90 kgs and a strong build, Viktor Gyökeres offers Sporting manager Rúben Amorim something different. A true number 9.  

The 25-year-old has brought a spark to a Sporting side that is looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2022/23 season. Tall with good movement, Gyökeres is an agile and powerful forward who can play on the wings or as a lone target man. The striker has good speed, is comfortable with both feet, strong in the air and a capable penalty-taker. 


Sporting's summer signing has made an immediate impact for the club since his highly publicised move to Lisbon. Signed in July for a club record transfer fee of €20 million (plus add-ons), Gyökeres quelled any doubts over his exorbitant fee with a stunning brace against FC Vizela. In the 14th minute, the striker showed off his fancy footwork to create a yard of space before finishing with a well-placed left-footed shot past Vizela goalkeeper Fabijan Buntic. Less than 90 seconds later, the Swede was once again charging down the field and somehow managed to manoeuvre through two defenders before delivering a clinical finish, this time with his right foot.

It was a dream debut for a player the supporters knew very little about until that point. 

The following week, Gyökeres impressed under difficult circumstances in a 2-1 away victory at Casa Pia. He was involved in the first goal and was relentless throughout the night creating all types of problems for defenders. 

".@viktor_gyokeres + Paulinho Revê os golos de ontem, na vitória diante do FC Vizela" - Sporting CP 

For fans of the English Championship, his emphatic debut should come as no surprise. Gyökeres was exceptional for a Coventry City side that finished fifth in the league last season and just missed out on promotion to the Premier League. 

The forward recorded 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions during the 2022/23 campaign. In 2021/22, he scored 18 goals and finished with five assists. 

Viktor Gyökeres started his professional career with Swedish football club IF Brommapojkarna in 2015. He impressed at an early age and caught the eye of several European scouts, eventually ending up at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Sporting are off to a perfect start with six points from two matches. Paulinho currently leads the team with three goals, but Gyökeres' contribution cannot be underestimated. He has added some healthy competition amongst the forwards and provided Rúben Amorim with a welcome headache up front. It will be interesting to see how the manager utilises Gyokeres in the coming matches.  

He may have only played 180 mins for the Lisbon club, but Gyökeres is fast developing into a hero amongst the Sporting faithful. It may be a little early to make comparisons to Norwegian European Golden Boot winner Erling Haaland, but the verde y brancos seem to have unearthed a gem in Gyökeres, and found their very own "Striking Viking." 

It was an eventful start to the Liga Portugal season with Benfica and Braga both losing on the opening weekend. Porto have looked shaky with unconvincing late wins over Moreirense FC and SC Farense. Sporting have retained the core of their 2022/23 side and look like serious contenders with the addition of Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyökeres.  


By S. Bhojwani 

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Comments

  1. Luís AlmeidaAugust 22, 2023 at 1:46 PM

    I'm a Sporting fan, and I'm very very excited with this upcoming season. Gyokeres is already indispensable for the team and he promises many goals. Everything in this piece is right on. Let's go Sporting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maria ReguilaAugust 23, 2023 at 2:34 AM

    Sou adepta do Benfica mas dou-te os parabéns pelo excelente texto!! Go Sahir, go

    ReplyDelete

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