Key players, including Eduardo Anderson and Gino Vivi, may leave Deportivo Saprissa amid disappointing performances and contract expirations.
Deportivo Saprissa, one of
Costa Rica's most storied football clubs, is facing significant changes to its roster as player performance and contract expirations loom.
The head coach, Paulo César Wanchope, has notably reduced reliance on several key players, impacting their participation in recent matches.
Among those at risk of leaving are Eduardo Anderson and Gino Vivi, both of whom are on loan and will return to their parent clubs at the end of the current season if not extended.
Anderson, a Panamanian midfielder, is on loan from Alianza FC in Panama, and Vivi is contracted to Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer (MLS).
Both players have seen limited playing time in recent fixtures, raising questions about their future with the team.
Anderson has been one of the more frequently utilized players, accumulating 1,154 minutes on the pitch this season, ranking as the third most-used player on the team.
However, fan dissatisfaction with his performance has grown, particularly after he was benched for several matches and only managed to play 10 minutes in a recent game against Sporting.
His form declined notably during Wanchope’s early tenure, where he initially featured in all 90 minutes of his first match under the new coach but then saw his minutes dwindle.
Vivi’s situation mirrors Anderson's, as he has also faced health issues and limited participation.
He played a total of 27 minutes in his first game under Wanchope, started the second, logged 70 minutes, but has not seen action in the last three matches.
While the club reported a foot contusion as the reason for his absence, there had not been prior communication regarding a specific injury.
In addition to these two players, other Saprissa members are under scrutiny.
Jefry Valverde and Ryan Bolaños have had minimal impact this season, with Valverde with 258 minutes and Bolaños at 528 minutes.
Valverde's participation has been especially limited, getting only 21 minutes of game time under the new coach, while Bolaños's contributions have been similarly sparse.
Furthermore, players like Yoserth Hernández and Orlando Sinclair, who command contracts through December 2026, have also played minimal minutes, with Hernández featuring for only 238 minutes and Sinclair for 426.
As the season progresses, the club has not issued any formal statements regarding contract renewals for the departing players.
The uncertainty surrounding player contracts and the coaching decisions raises important questions about the future direction of Deportivo Saprissa as it aims to return to competitive form in Costa Rican football.