Popovic insists the Brazilian has a future at the A-League club.
Western Sydney Wanderers boss Tony Popovic says troubled playmaker Vitor Saba has a future at the club despite speculation linking him with a January move.
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Saba was left out of the Wanderers’ past two games with reports suggesting Popovic is not happy with the Brazilian’s fitness.
There has been widespread rumours that the Wanderers were looking to offload Saba during the January transfer window, however Popovic told reporters that the former Brescia man was a “talented player” and had a future at the A-League club.
“What’s written in the papers has never worried me,” Popovic told reporters.
“But he’s a contracted player like all the others and we’re desperate to end the run we’re on. He’s got a contract and a future, he is a talented player.”
Popovic said that he had chased Saba for two years before signing him from Serie B club Brescia.
“We remember all the good moments from foreign players who have played for our club like Jerome Polenz, Youssouf Hersi, Iacopo La Rocca and Shinji Ono,” he said.
“But we forget that La Rocca sat in the stands for six weeks when he first arrived because he wasn’t fit enough.
“Jerome and Youssouf took about eight weeks to get going and we forget Shinji needed to lose seven kilos before he got going.
“People remember the good parts but forget the initial settling-in period and that happens with all foreigners and I am sure it won’t change.”
The Wanderers take on Melbourne Victory on Tuesday in Parramatta.