Gabriel Menino

Gabriel Menino secures his identity as Santos's resident Gold-tier Engine. Our verdict sees a 26-year-old midfielder determined to dictate the pace across every inch of the pitch. Following his foundational years at Palmeiras and a stint with Atlético-MG, the loanee brings genuine pedigree. The raw box-to-box dynamism is obvious. The challenge lies in harnessing that energy into pure control.

Five outings yielding just over 300 minutes of action paint the picture of an emerging profile. The sample size remains modest, yet his outstanding Dribbling ability repeatedly fractures opposition lines. One goal from the middle of the park highlights his lingering threat going forward. However, he is visibly searching for rhythm to escape a noticeable slump in form. We fully expect this erratic production to stabilise once he completes his calibration phase and settles into the tempo of the squad.

The financial stakes add serious weight to the move. Valued at €6 million with a downward trajectory, the pressure is dialled up. He needs to flip the script entirely, turning fleeting moments of brilliance into week-by-week reliability to halt the slide in his market standing.