Crystal Palace forward Matheus França’s frustrating spell in Brazil has just taken another unexpected turn.
The 22-year-old was sent to Vasco da Gama last year at the request of Fernando Diniz. The move looked like an ideal opportunity.
Diniz was a long-time admirer of the player and believed he could help revive a career that had stalled after injuries and limited opportunities in England. But it never worked out that way.
During Diniz’s time at Vasco, França started only four matches. He struggled for continuity, rarely looked comfortable and was even tested as a defensive midfielder at times, despite being naturally an attacking player.
As Vasco’s results deteriorated, Diniz lost his job. França remained at the club but continued to struggle for minutes and relevance. Renato Gaúcho arrived, Vasco improved, yet the Palace loanee remained on the fringes.
Diniz, meanwhile, moved to Corinthians and has made an encouraging start there. Which makes the latest report from Brazil particularly intriguing.
According to RTI Esporte, Diniz has now asked Corinthians to explore a move for Matheus França.
In other words, the same manager who pushed Vasco to sign the Crystal Palace player – and then barely used him – now wants to bring him to his new club.
Diniz still believes?
The recommendation is notable because Diniz consistently defended França throughout their time together.
Even when the midfielder struggled badly, the coach publicly insisted Vasco should not give up on him. Diniz argued that França had arrived after a long period without playing, had suffered important injuries in England and “hadn’t forgotten how to play football”.
Those comments never translated into a regular place in the team, though. França made 17 appearances under Diniz but started only four matches. He was also used in unfamiliar positions as the coach searched for solutions during a difficult period for Vasco.
Despite that, RTI Esporte report that Diniz remains convinced the player can recover his best form and sees him as a useful addition for Corinthians.
Palace preparing next move
França’s loan expires on June 30 and he is not expected to remain at Vasco.
Across his full spell in Rio de Janeiro, he made 27 appearances and scored one goal. The move never delivered the reset that either Vasco or Crystal Palace had hoped for.
RTI Esporte add that Palace do not currently have França in their plans for next season and are expected to seek another loan move. The player’s representatives are also said to view a continued stay in Brazilian football positively.
There are no negotiations underway at this stage. Corinthians are still dealing with financial issues, including delayed salary payments and outstanding transfer debts, before making significant moves in the market.
For Palace, though, the story is already unusual enough. After a loan spell that never really worked under Fernando Diniz, the manager remains one of França’s biggest believers and is now trying to give him another opportunity at a different club.
