Sevilla have lost their right wing starter, Miguel Sierra, who will undergo surgery for a shoulder dislocation and will be out for at least three months. With Sierra's absence, the club is looking for Rubén Vargas, a Swiss international, to assume the leadership that coach Luis García Plaza demands. Vargas, who has been out of the squad for several months, must demonstrate his ability to fill the position vacated by the defender.
Vargas was left out of the squad before the market closed, when Olympiacos was about to sign him. According to García Plaza, the player was left out of two league games to “not take risks.” After that episode, Vargas was injured again with a knee problem that has allowed him to participate only in spare minutes. However, the Swiss international has taken advantage of the break to recover and, according to the coach, he should be 100% fit this week.
Sierra's loss opens up several alternatives on the right wing. Alfon, who replaced Sierra in the match against Ciutat de Valencia after his injury, is a viable option. Another alternative is the Nigerian Ejuke, a player skilled in dribbling but who has not totally convinced García Plaza due to his defensive deficiencies and his somewhat improvised style of play. The final choice will depend on Vargas' performance in training and the strategy that the coach decides to implement before the next matches.
Sevilla needs to consolidate its defense and attack on the right, and Sierra's absence forces the squad to reorganize. Vargas, with his international experience and recent recovery, presents himself as the key figure that the club hopes will boost the game in that area. The coach has made it clear that Vargas' step forward is essential to maintain the team's competitiveness in the league and in European competitions. With Sierra's injury, Sevilla faces an immediate challenge, but also an opportunity to demonstrate the depth of its squad and the ability of its players to adapt to the club's demands.