São Paulo Sends Sidelined Players to Train at Cotia
Listen to the story
São Paulo, one of Brazil's major football clubs, has sent four players who are currently outside the first-team plans to train at Cotia, its training complex, until the end of the week.
These players are considered sidelined, meaning the coaching staff does not count on them for upcoming matches. In total, a group of five players finds itself in this situation, though only four have been moved to Cotia so far.
Among them is defender Cédric, whose case has become the latest chapter in an ongoing story at the club. His future with São Paulo remains uncertain, and this move adds a new development to his situation.
Sending players to train separately from the main squad is a common practice in football when a club wants to reduce a player's role or push them toward a transfer. It often signals that the player is not part of the coach's future plans.
The exact reasons behind each player's situation have not been detailed, but the decision affects five players in total, showing a broader reshuffle within the squad.
It remains to be seen whether these players will return to regular training with the main group after this week, or whether their situations will lead to further changes, such as loans or transfers away from the club.
Vocabulary5 words
- training complex
- a place with fields and buildings used for team practice
- sidelined
- kept out of the team; not chosen to play
- chapter
- a new part of a longer story or situation
- transfer
- when a player moves from one club to another
- reshuffle
- a change in the order or group of people
Quiz
Answer key
1. Five 2. He is not part of the coach's plans 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
São Paulo, one of Brazil's major football clubs, has sent four players who are currently outside the first-team _____ to train at Cotia, its training _____, until the end of the week.
These players are considered _____, meaning the coaching staff does not count on them for upcoming matches. In total, a group of five players finds itself in this situation, though only four have been moved to Cotia so far.
Among them is defender Cédric, whose case has become the latest _____ in an ongoing story at the club. His future with São Paulo remains uncertain, and this move adds a new development to his situation.
Sending players to train separately from the main squad is a common practice in football when a club wants to reduce a player's role or push them toward a _____. It often signals that the player is not part of the coach's future plans.
The exact reasons behind each player's situation have not been detailed, but the decision affects five players in total, showing a broader _____ within the squad.
It remains to be seen whether these players will return to regular training with the main group after this week, or whether their situations will lead to further _____, such as loans or transfers away from the club.
Discussion questions
- Why do football clubs sometimes send players to train separately from the main squad?
- How might it feel for a player to be sidelined from the first team?
- What options might a club have for players who are not part of its plans?
- Do you think this kind of situation is common in professional sports? Why or why not?