Jorge Jesus ahead of Monday's hosting of Rio Ave

Jorge Jesus was with the press on Sunday afternoon for the Rio Ave pre-match press conference. While brushing off the idea of extra pressure coming from his side being provisionally in 2nd in the table, the Sporting coach was cautious to alert to the quality of Monday's opposition.

“Rio Ave are one of the best teams in the league. They are hard to play against tactically and how they play is well drilled, because they have had the same coach for a while now. We know what Rio Ave are worth and we will have to be in good form to win", opened the Alvalade boss, continuing: “We are in a position where we are the intruders in relation to our two rivals. We have said since the beginning of the season that we want to be in the fight, but we never thought we would be in first at this stage of the season. We are really proud for having been in first for so long and it shows the quality of the squad."

Explaining that Jefferson and Naldo have not been declared fit to face Rio Ave, while revealing that William Carvalho is in with a shout, Jesus also spoke about Coates, Barcos and Teo Gutiérrez: “Coates and Barcos haven't been with us for long and they are getting to know how the team works. Coates is pretty much match fit, while Barcos played a couple of weeks pre-season in China. They could be both included in the squad. Teo is focused. He arrived a bit later, which I authorised due to the injury he had. He is stable physically and he will be in the squad tomorrow is nothing happens in the meantime."

Guaranteeing that he has enough attacking options, despite the exit of Montero and Tanaka, Jorge Jesus dismissed comments on Carrillo and reflected on Octávio Mochado's statement on refereeing after last week's victory over Académica: “It isn't easy to be a referee in Portugal. We have good referees here, but everything is analysed here after the game, when it is easy to give out opinions. It is is a bit like the football team: when they don't play well, they are critised."

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will kick off at 19h00 on Monday, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Carlos Xistra names for Liga NOS matchday 21

Carlos Xistra, 42, from the Castelo Branco Football Association, has been named to take charge of Liga NOS matchday 21, between Sporting CP and Rio Ave.

Bertino Miranda and Jorge Cruz will act as linesmen.

Thsi will be Xistra's third time officiating Sporting this season, after the trips to Tondela (matchday 1, 2-1) and Estádio da Luz (matchday 8, 3-0).

Sporting CP-Rio Ave will kick off at 19h00 on Sunday the 8th of February, in Estádio José Alvalade.

Almost 10% of players making the jump from international youth football come from Sporting

A study by national under-21 assistant coach Alexandre Silva officially proves that Sporting is the club that has provided most players to the national under-20 and under-21 squads, with a total of  9.8%. Benfica and Porto trail behind Alvalade, with 7.2% and 7.1% respectively.

The results of the study are once again a show of quality from Sporting's youth system, at an age that the Portuguese Football Federation sees as decisive.

The same study also highlights Sporting's role in the under-15 to under-19 squads, with Alvalade dominating with 22.3% of all players provided.

Alvalade forward up for France Football award

Until 22h tonight (Friday) you can vote on France Football's website for African Player of the Month. Alvalade hitman Islam Slimani is in the running, along with Cheick Diabaté (Bordéus, Mali)and Hakim Ziyech (FC Twente, Morocco). The Sporting forward has netted a total of 16 goals so far this season, with performances that have kept Sporting at the top of Liga NOS.

Slimani has already been in the spotlight, after his showing against Braga on Liga NOS matchday 17. With 13 goals at the time, he was Africa's third best scorer in European football. His current tally of 16 has moved him up to second, bettered only by Pierre Aubameyand.

You can vote here.

Adrien reflects on season so far and the importance of the Alvalade youth system

Sporting skipper Adrien Silva gave shared an extensive interview this week, talking about the Alvalade youth system, as well as what has been a fantastic season so far for the talismanic captain.

The Sporting midfielder proved particularly proud of a recent study released by the Portuguese Football Federation on call-ups to the national under-15 to under-19, under-20 and under-20 squads, which put Sporting ahead of the rest of the pack: "Sporting always has been one of the best youth systems in the world and the study is fair recognition of the work being doing at the Academy. In my case, I arrived there when I was 12 and I went through the whole youth system at the club, so you I can say I learnt to become a man and a player here. I am really happy with the study. I have been in teams that have won national championships at under-15 up to under-19 and then I made by debut for the senior team when I was 18. It was also really important to spend time away, where I picked up experience and I am a better player today because of it. All I am missing is winning the senior title, after the Portuguese Cup and Super Cup."

In relation to the season so far, Adrien affirmed his side's confidence in turning in another win after a battling victory against Académica: “Rio Ave are one of the good sides in our league and that is why they are towards the top end of the table. They play some good football and they don't just look to defend. If that will make it easier for us, well I don't think you can look at it like that. Sporting always goes for the win against whoever we are playing against and it is down to us to put into practice what we have been doing during the week."

The Sporting number 23 also went on to highlight the importance of the fans this year in Sporting's title charge: “Both at home and away, the fans have been with us and they were again against Académica. They were crucial for us turning the game around. We let a goal in early, but we felt the fans with us and that is really important for us to carry on taking each game as it comes and to win the title. We are up there fighting for it! It is us that got us where we are now, in a fight that was only between two teams until last year!"

Interview with Sporting's Uruguayan international

Ever wondered what is going through a player's head when penning a deal with a new club? Well in the case of Sebastián Coates, it was the new kit he was about to put on. "It is really beautiful. It is a really nice colour", said the Uruguayan international.

Standing a towering 1.96m, Sebastián Coates will wear number 13. "Sporting is a club with a lot of history. It is one of the big clubs in Portugal and I am really happy. I will work and do the best I can", affirmed the centre-back in his first interview in Alvalade, having arrived on loan from Sunderland. “I have been playing in Europe for some years now and I am a player that likes to win, that is the main thing about me. I give everything I have got in every training session and match. I work hard, which is the most important thing, and I will give everything I can on the pitch for Sporting. I know the coach and I know his work. Sporting are really strong, we are in first in the league and we are in Europe, which is also important", finished the defensive giant.

Tobias, Jefferson, Naldo and William

Sporting's Medical Department has released the following clinical update on the first team:

Tobias: specialised training

Jefferson: muscle injury in the right calf - in treatment

Naldo: muscle injury in the right thigh - in treatment

William: trauma to the left foot - in treatment

André Carrillo

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol, SAD has officially been informed by Benfica of the signing of a sports employment contract with the athlete André Carrillo, from 01/07/2016 to 30/06/2021.

Junya Tanaka leaves message for the fans before heading for Japan

Heading off for Japan, where he will represent Kashiwa Reysol on loan until July 2017, Junya Tanaka left a message for his fans for their support, revealing that he will miss the country that welcomed him for what was his first experience abroad.

“I will miss it a lot. I really like Portugal, the climate and the food. The Sporting fans sang for me and that made me feel really happy, but I want to play more and here it is difficult right now. I have to play. In the last six months I haven't played a lot and I need to recover in Japan, where I won everything. I am better and faster. In Japan, the game is slower. Here, it is really quick and strong and I have to adapt. Jorge Jesus is a good coach, the team is bigger and better and defending well, which is the most important thing. We defend really well and we know how to attack."

Junya Tanaka went on to remember his goal against Braga, which for him was the finest strike of his career: "It was my best goal. It gave me a lot of motivation and spirit to do more. I like using the Sporting shirt and I will miss this. It will stay in my hear forever."

The Japanese forward parted with a work of thanks for the fans: "Sporting had to be champion this year. The fans want it and they will go with me in my heart. I really liked it when they shouted ‘Tanaka, Tanaka’. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

Transfer of Fredy Montero to Tianjin Teda

Sporting Clube de Portugal, Futebol SAD has reached an agreement with Tianjin Teda for the transfer of Fredy Montero for a fee of €5,000,000.00, with Sporting SAD maintaining 20% of the athlete's economic rights.

Sporting SAD wishes Montero the best of personal and professional success.