Cardoso mum on Ribeiro’s future, reveals stance on Sales as replacement | OneFootball

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Cardoso refuses to comment on Ribeiro's future, weighs in on Sales as replacement

Photo: Austin Ditlhobolo @ Facebook

Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has remained tight-lipped on the uncertain future of talisman Lucas Ribeiro Costa and weighed in on whether fellow Brazilian Arthur Sales can fill the void.

The PSL footballer of the season has drawn interest from Turkey, Qatar, and his native country, with Fluminense said to have registered concrete interest, after the player’s eye-catching performance at the FIFA Club World Cup, where he claimed the goal of the tournament accolade.

With Masandawana currently doing without the services of Ribeiro, the Portuguese mentor refused to be drawn into commenting on the uncertainty surrounding the highly sought-after star and stated that none of the Sundowns forwards should be expected to replicate the Brazilian’s form.

“No one should compare a player that will play as a right winger, whatever position, whether he plays more in or more out – no one should compare players, we cannot make a copycat of one player that is not with the team at the moment,” said Cardoso.

“I don’t think it’s up to me to give an answer to the question of Lucas [Ribeiro], for sure in the proper time we will know everything that has happened.

While Cardoso insists players should not be compared, he has heaped praise on Sales for taking more responsibility in the absence of Ribeiro. The 23-year-old striker has scored one goal and provided two assists in the four matches he featured in so far this season.

“But regarding Arthur, obviously he is giving a good answer [to Ribeiro’s absence]. I think Arthur is doing very well, showing dynamism, showing that he understands what the team wants from that position,” he added.

“He is bringing his game to help the team and as I said, no one should expect one player to replace another. It’s just one player playing the same position that another one was playing, so the game will become different.

“But we have to use the characteristics that we have from Arthur, that he is showing himself that he is being better match after match. So, let’s hope he stabilizes his performance to the highest level because he is a player that we trust