Report: Santos defender Zé Carlos unlikely to join Columbus Crew on loan

Santos defender Zé Carlos is unlikely to join Major League Soccer outfit Columbus Crew, according to reports.  Website Massive Report, citing ESPN Brazil’s Gustavo Zupak, claims that a potential agreement that was in the pipeline looks to have been called off. Zupak suggests that Zé Carlos – full name José Carlos Cracco Neto – has […]
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sambafoot_admin
2015-07-15 21:08:00

Santos defender Zé Carlos is unlikely to join Major League Soccer outfit Columbus Crew, according to reports. 

Website Massive Report, citing ESPN Brazil’s Gustavo Zupak, claims that a potential agreement that was in the pipeline looks to have been called off.

Zupak suggests that Zé Carlos – full name José Carlos Cracco Neto – has chosen to remain at Santos, rather than move to Columbus, due to the arrival of Dorival Júnior as Head Coach.

The incoming tactician is believed to have outlined that he would prefer to retain Zé Carlos, who had been looking to leave for better first-team opportunities.

So far this season, the 21 year-old has featured just once in the Brasileirão, despite making 14 appearances last term.

The likes of Victor Ferraz, Chiquinho and Caju were preferred instead under interim Head Coach Marcelo Fernandes, but the arrival of Dorival Júnior will seemingly increase Zé Carlos’ chances of playing. 

His solitary appearance this season came in Santos’ most recent outing – a 3-0 win over Figueirense, which would suggest Júnior does intend to utilise him.

The 53 year-old has returned to Santos for a second spell at the helm and is charged with getting them out of the relegation zone and up the Brasileirão standings.