Contracts of Four Cruzeiro Players About to Expire by Year's End
Let's dissect the future of four Cruzeiro players
Fagner
Signed to mingle with the heavyweights, Fagner found himself warming the bench to start the season. Out of the 30 games the celestial squad play this year, he graced only 12 (a modest 20%). For comparison, the regular William played 23 times, almost twice as much. Yet, Fagner has shined as a standout player this year.
When the scene opened with the Campeonato Mineiro and Copa Sul-Americana, Fagner was on the sidelines. However, he stepped up with a significant role in the Campeonato Brasileiro, starting with the game against São Paulo. Fagner bolstered the offensive sector with menacing crosses while showcasing defensive security with solid marking performances.
Regardless of his recent benchwarming status, Fagner remains a key pillar in the stellar roster. He's part of a tight-knit group of 17 players Leonardo Jardim heavily relies on throughout the season's games.
Bolasie
A peculiar piece in the Cruzeiro puzzle, Bolasie joined forces with the elite team following a successful stint at Criciúma in 2024. Since the start of the year, Bolasie has etched his name as a sort of unofficial 12th man for the team. Out of the 30 games the team has played this season, Bolasie has been part of 20 (two-thirds), frequently making appearances as a substitute.
Bolasie's versatility is one of his strengths, as he can perform as a second striker or as a fixed center-forward. The latter role has gained importance in the squad, given the departure of Dinenno. These characteristics have earned Bolasie the confidence of Jardim.
In one of the team's most pivotal matches this year, Bolasie played a crucial role. In the 7th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro against Flamengo, Bolasie sparked a play that ended with Eduardo being awarded a penalty, almost at the final whistle. Gabigol converted the blue goal after the rebound from the penalty kick.
Eduardo
Once a subject of criticism and skepticism from the Cruzeiro faithful, Eduardo has emerged as an integral member of the squad. Since he arrived, following successful seasons at Botafogo, the midfielder has graced the field in 26 of the 30 games the team has played so far this year. Although he initially struggled to win the hearts of the fans, Eduardo's performances have improved recently.
In recent fixtures, Eduardo has shone off the bench or played alongside the Cruzeiro captain. Against Vila Nova-GO, in the third phase of the Copa do Brasil, Eduardo was instrumental, scoring two goals in the 3-0 victory in the return game at Serra Dourada. At a critical moment when Vila Nova was posing a threat, Eduardo proved his worth.
Eduardo is another one who has the backing of Jardim, having even worked with the coach at other clubs. "He was at Porto and then in two teams I worked with in the Middle East (Al-Hilal and Shabab Al Ahli). I had no doubts that he would add value to us. He is a competent player and is loaded with talent," said the coach after the second game against Vila Nova-GO.
Gamarra
Gamarra is the least likely to continue his journey at Fox Den II. He joined the team in February of this year but has had limited playing time, appearing in only 7 of the 22 games Cruzeiro has disputed since his arrival. When he played, he didn't impress, and spectators voiced their concerns.
Besides the lackluster performances, there are other factors clouding Gamarra's future. Presently, Fabrício Bruno, Villalba, and Jonathan Jesus are excelling in the Cruzeiro defense, making room scarce for others. In this environment, Cruzeiro is reportedly considering returning Gamarra to Athletico-PR, his loan club until the end of 2025.
- 2025
- END OF CONTRACT
- CRUZEIRO
- PLAYERS
Bruno Daniel
Sources:1. Cruzeiro breaks up with Juan Ignacio Dinenno2. Cruzeiro renews the contract of Lucas Romero3. Cruzeiro's Key Player Contracts
In the rapidly approaching European leagues, Fagner's resilience and skill as a versatile footballer could potentially secure him a spot in one of the premier European leagues, such as the Premier League. Meanwhile, Eduardo's remarkable turnaround in performance since joining Cruzeiro has caught the attention of several clubs, making his contract expiration in 2025 an interesting aspect to watch in the upcoming player transfers.
