In the second part of the interview, the ex-Sporting player discussed Viktor Gyokeres’ transfer to Arsenal and whether he is the missing piece in a future title-winning team for the Gunners, Ruben Amorim's work at Manchester United and the expectations for his former club in the new season.
Sporting's summer was dominated by the Gyokeres saga. Can it be seen as a relief for everyone that it’s finally over?
"It’s never pleasant when for months only one topic is being discussed – whether a certain player will stay or leave. That’s not good for the club, the player, the atmosphere in the dressing room, or the coach. It’s always better to have clarity as early as possible."
Where does Gyokeres stand in the conversation about the best strikers in the world, based on his stats over the last two seasons?
"It’s still hard to say, because he has a lot to prove. His place will be wherever he manages to put himself. So far, he has played in the Portuguese league with great success, and he has shown against strong opponents that he can perform.
"Now he has to demonstrate it at Arsenal. It’s not enough that they wanted you and paid a lot of money for you. From here begins the real proving ground."
What should be his first priority at the Gunners?
"He needs to stay calm and show his game, what he can do, without overloading himself mentally and without letting the noise and expectations influence him. Scoring goals is what he does best."
Could he turn out to be the final missing piece in Arsenal’s puzzle for Arteta’s team to finally win the league title?
"Certainly they were missing such a player, but I wouldn’t say that’s the only thing. The level in the Premier League is brutal, anyone can trip you up. That’s why consistency is the most important factor there. If Arsenal become champions, it won’t be just because they bought one player, even if he’s a top scorer."
Will the team’s style of play change given this different type of striker?
"He’s a typical number 9, a powerful striker, the sort of Arsenal didn’t have until now. This will open up new options in the way they play, it will add variety. Until now, their football was more fluid, combination-based. Now it might become more direct, with more crosses. At least on paper, Gyokeres’ qualities fit that type of play."
Even without key contributions from him in the opening match, Arsenal started with a win over Manchester United. Was this defeat a sign of another difficult season for the Red Devils, and how much more trust does Ruben Amorim deserve?
"Only the club’s owners can answer that. Personally, I value and respect him tremendously as a coach. I met him in Portugal. His understanding of football is, in my opinion, very modern and contemporary. But in this profession, you not only need to understand the game, you also need to be understood by the players – what exactly is required of them. Amorim took charge in an extremely difficult period for United, when the team had to be rebuilt once again."
Aren’t the criticisms toward him excessive, given the squad potential compared to the other big clubs in the league?
"To some extent, yes. But at Manchester United, expectations are always sky-high, and he knew exactly what kind of players and potential he would have when he signed. Even considering the new arrivals now – (Benjamin) Sesko, (Bryan) Mbeumo and (Matheus) Cunha - he has to work with what he’s got and avoid repeating the previous disastrous season. He has very good coaching qualities, and I hope he stays and shows them."
Read the first part of our interview with Balakov here
Back to Sporting. In the past few seasons, the Lions managed to break the duopoly in Portugal and the 28-year dominance of Porto and Benfica. What do you attribute this recent success to?
"Mainly to the club’s president, Frederico Varandas, who tightened things up, made the interesting and ultimately successful choice of appointing Amorim. With him came raised ambitions and Sporting’s higher level.
"They’re on the right path, but positions can quickly shift again with rivals like Porto and Benfica. The battle will be ruthless."
What will be most important now for Sporting to maintain this level after Gyokeres’ departure?
"It all comes down to consistency in work and following this upward trajectory, the club’s ideas. Sporting has a very strong academy that produces excellent players who are constantly integrated into the first team. Relying on homegrown talent is key for the club."
But just like Stuttgart, there comes the issue of balancing with European matches…
"Look, these are clubs that can never reach the level of the European giants in terms of financial power, organisation, ability to attract top players, and so on. If once every few years they manage to sneak higher up in Europe, that’s already a huge success.
"You need to look at it realistically. Both clubs are aware of the realities, which doesn’t mean they don’t try to grow, but let’s take Stuttgart’s striker at the moment, Nick Woltemade. He’s only been there for a year, and already Bayern and others want to buy him. Similarly at Sporting, Gyokeres stayed only two seasons. It’s extremely hard to keep such talents.
"That’s the reality. But if you maintain a high enough level to play in the Champions League, the fans will always be happy, regardless of how far you go. And even more so if you win league titles and cups domestically, even if it’s once every two or three years."
During your time at Sporting, your coaches included names like Marinho Peres, Sir Bobby Robson and Carlos Queiroz. Who influenced you the most?
"All of them. We’re talking about giants in football history. Sir Bobby Robson was a unique person. Carlos Queiroz was an innovator – many of the modern methodologies, systems and technologies we see in clubs today, he introduced them years ago, in his own way. Marinho Peres was one of the great Brazilian players.
"But from all my former coaches, I would highlight Sir Bobby Robson and Felix Magath – both were dear to me and I got along wonderfully with them. They demanded hard work but always with fair assessments and treatment."
We can’t avoid touching on Bulgarian football reality too. A World Cup qualifier against European champions Spain is coming in early September. With what mindset should the Bulgarian team enter this match?
"There’s no set recipe. They need to go out positive, with confidence, play with their heads held high and without worrying about whether they’ll lose or by how much. When you play without fear, games can turn out surprisingly more positive than if you go in saying 'let’s just hold on, let’s not concede too many goals.' That would be the biggest mistake.
"The most important thing is to step on the pitch believing the team in front of you is your equal. That’s what we used to do back in the day. Yes, there’s a difference, but we lost games too. Before that match with France in 1993, nobody counted us for much either. When you play with confidence and gain experience, great things happen."
So no parking the bus?
"The tactics will be up to Ilian Iliev; he’s the coach. Sitting back doesn’t guarantee anything. Maybe something in between. Try to play football, but when defending, be compact, no matter which part of the pitch you’re in. That’s modern football right now, and we’re still not at the level we’d like to be. That’s where the difference comes from."
The stadium will be full anyway; over 35,000 tickets are already sold. But isn’t it sad that people will pay and come to watch Lamine Yamal and Spain’s stars, and not their own team, like they used to before?
"That’s the reality. We don’t have the success to fill it because of our players. For me, it’s not sad – reality is what it is. When we fix our infrastructure, when competence in Bulgarian football improves so that it functions like in other countries ahead of us, then fans will start coming again, like they did in our time."
And finally, about the charity initiatives you’re part of - there’s an international event coming up in September, a charity match in Portugal between local and world stars, where alongside you will be names like Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, Deco, Maniche, Mendieta and others. What does participating in it mean to you?
"It means a lot – above all, an honour to be among such top legends of world football. But the most important thing is that it’s for a good cause; we’ll be helping people in difficult social situations, as well as those affected by wars, especially in Ukraine. For me, it will be a privilege to play in front of full stands for such a cause."