Are FC Porto on course to become a European force once again?

In short, he’s a natural winner. That’s clearly rubbed off on his squad. Under Nuno Espirito Santo in 2016-17, a star-studded Porto squad bottled their title challenge in the run-in, winning just three of their final nine games.

By contrast, they saw off the challenge of Benfica in ruthless fashion last term. Porto won the season’s last six matches, conceding just twice.

As well as those intangibles of experience and drive, he’s also proven to be a tactically savvy coach. The 4-3-3 he’s utilised in Europe has been an attacking success, while a 4-4-2 has brought the most joy domestically.

They’ve worked wonders in the transfer market

Amazingly, Porto already look to be an improvement on last season’s side. That’s despite selling several of their top names – including Diogo Dalot and Ricardo Pereira for a combined £37.8m.

That could leave many sides hamstrung, at least for a period. But Conceicao has already drafted in a series of superb additions for a fraction of those prices.

Classy centre-back Eder Militao has been a revelation at centre-back after his £3.6m summer arrival from Sao Paulo, and received his first Brazil cap in September.

Meanwhile, full-back pair Jorge (on loan from AS Monaco) and new right-back Joao Pedro are both beginning to command more gametime after strong recent displays.

With several other prospects signed and loaned out to Portimonense, they’re unlikely to be the last of this summer’s additions who make an impact at Estadio do Dragao.

At odds of 80/1 to win the Champions League, they’re definitely amongst the real outsiders. But teams will underestimate Conceicao’s outfit at their peril…

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