There is good news for Sergio Conceicao: Santiago Gimenez, who had worked separately yesterday due to a slight ankle problem he suffered with the national team, has returned to full training.
As Calciomercato.com report, Gimenez will be available to Conceicao for the away match against Napoli with extra motivation because, after a dazzling start to his time at the club – with goals against Empoli, Verona and Feyenoord – he hasn’t scored since 18 February.
For the match against Conte’s side, Conceiçao will have everyone available, apart from the injured Emerson Royal and the suspended Yunus Musah. The big doubt on the eve of the match is who will be responsible for the attack between Tammy Abraham and Gimenez.
The English striker worked well and intensely during the break under the orders of the former Porto coach and has gained pole position over his direct opponent for a starting spot. Tammy has to make up ground to convince the club to try sign hi on a permanent basis.
More than a mission, it can be called a feat considering the €6m net salary that does not run congruent with his eight goals overall in all competitions, of which only one was truly important: the Supercoppa winner against Inter.
In Serie A, for example, he has only scored two goals and also they were irrelevant for the final result. Unlike Gimenez, he has proven more useful in the build-up phase and is in better physical condition: the ballot will be resolved only on Friday.
During the break for the national team commitments, Conceicao also worked on the mechanisms of the three-man defence, a new tactical outfit that we could see often in this final part of the season but not in the next away match in Naples.
In front of Mike Maignan there will be, from right to left, Kyle Walker, Malick Thiaw, Matteo Gabbia and Theo Hernandez. The second duel is in midfield with Ruben Loftus-Cheek fighting for a spot with Warren Bondo alongside Yossouf Fofana. Christian Pulisic, Tijjani Reijnders and Rafael Leao are sure of a spot.
