Coates on extending his stay in Alvalade

Sebastián Coates was a largely unknown name for many Sporting fans when arriving at Alvalade this January, but the backing given by fellow Uruguayan and former teammate at Liverpool, Luís Suárez, has certainly rung true: "A player like Sebastián brings lot of quality to a team. I am certain he will be a great signing." Since arriving in the Portuguese capital, Sabastián truly has bossed the Sporting defence in an intimidating double-team with Rúben Semedo.

"All players dream of playing for a club that is fighting for titles, with ambitious objectives, and that made the difference for me", said Coates in an interview with the Sporting website after signing his loan extension, before adding a word on his odd forays forward: "Personally, my role is to defend, but If I can help in attack then I will."

Jorge Jesus' focus on defence has actually taken the Uruguayan by surprise, considering that goals are need to turn in wins. However, the final result can of course be decided by good defending. "The coach worries a lot about how we defend. Of course goals are needed to win, but he really worries about getting us all defending. Not every coach does that and it makes a big difference", said the defensive giant, finishing: "This is a great club with fans who are always pushing the players. I want to do my best for this shirt for us to get the results that we all want."

The Sporting CP captain was one of the standouts in 2020/21

Sebastián Coates has been chosen in the Team Of The Season for the 2020/21 Liga NOS season, it was announced this past Sunday by the league's governing body. The Sporting Clube de Portugal defender came out on top in the voting carried out amongst coaches and captains of the top flight sides from the campaign.

At the age of 30, Coates captained the team to their first national title in 19 years, and was almost an ever-present in the season, playing 33 of the 34 Liga NOS matches. Along the way, he won the Man Of The Match award on three occasions.

The defender was magnificent throughout the year, as a crucial component of the side that conceded the fewest goals. Sporting CP would ship just 20 over the course of the season, whilst Coates would also contribute goals of his own: He found the net on five occasions, including some late winners and equalisers.

A three-time winner of the Defender of the Month award, he was also named Liga NOS Player of the Month for April.

Coates joins teammates Antonio Adán and Pedro Porro in the league's Team Of The Season.

The captain scoops the award for a second consecutive month

Sebastián Coates has been chosen as Liga NOS' Defender Of The Month for March, it was announced on Wednesday.

The Sporting Clube de Portugal captain earned 24.29% of the votes from Liga NOS coaches, with 16.43% going to Nicolás Otamendi of SL Benfica and 13.57% to Pepe of FC Porto.

During March, Coates participated in two of the three league games played by the club, in winning efforts against CD Tondela and CD Santa Clara. He scored the winning goal in the final minutes of the game against the latter team.

The club captain talks about the upcoming game against Gil Vicente FC

Just two days out from Sporting CP's opening game of the Primeira Liga season, club captain Sebastián Coates spoke about the meeting with Gil Vicente FC and the latest events in Alvalade.

The positive tests for COVID-19 by several players saw the cancellation of the Cinco Violinos Trophy game against SSC Napoli last week, and has led to a change of plans for the past few days. The group have returned to the Algarve for the second time this summer as a result.

"It has been an atypical week, but we have great players in the squad. We know that we have to win this game, and we are going to go out there with that ambition of wanting to start the season in the best way possible," said Coates.

"Having a training camp here in the Algarve has meant that we are isolated from what has happened to some of our teammates. Whether the game [against Gil Vicente FC] takes place or not isn't down to us. We have to prepare as best we can to try to win the match, which is the most important thing."

The Uruguayan added: "It isn't easy, because of everything that has been happening with some of our teammates and how we are worried for our family. However, we have to be focused."

A good start is the objective for Sporting CP in the league, with a busy schedule ahead. "It's important for everybody to start well. Then we have the Europa League coming up, and a tie that is going to be tough."

"We have a strong group. The players who have come in have been well received, and they are going to contribute a lot to us improving," continued Coates. "Those who have been here for a longer time have to explain to them what Sporting CP are all about, and try to make the group strong and united to face every game. It is going to be a long year."

For the time being, the upcoming fixtures will take place behind closed doors -and the team miss the supporters cheering them on.

"We are used to being there with the fans, hearing their chants and feeling their support. You miss them and I hope they can come back as soon as possible, obeying the measures the government feel are best for everybody."

The Sporting CP captain addressed Club's media on the first day back from the summer break

Club captain Sebastián Coates was amongst the players joining back up with the team this monday for preseason tests and he spoke about the return to action and the mood amongst the group.

"We're starting out with the same spirit as always. We are going to give everything for the club and fight hard. We're starting preseason with objectives in mind, and we want to start things off in the best possible way," he said.

"Whoever is at this club always wants to win every game, so we will do everything to ensure that happens," added the Uruguayan. "It's a year in which we have plenty of objectives, and it's a competitive league. We are going to give our all."

Before being put through the paces in fitness tests, Coates said that players "prefer to train with the ball", but that they "know fitness is very important and a part of preseason."

Whilst a date has been set for a return to Primeira Liga action, it is still unknown as to whether fans will be able to attend games when the season gets underway. It is something that concerns the Sporting CP captain. "It's always important to have the fans by our side. It's a difficult moment around the world, and we hope to have them back at our stadium. The best message that we can give is that we will do everything to prepare well for this season. (...) This group have quality and we are going to try our utmost to be in shape -physically and tactically. We all have the ambition of winning games and reaching our objectives."

One such objective will be Champions League qualification, as well as making it through to the UEFA Europa League group stage this term. "We have to show our quality. We have to show that we are capable of having a good campaign in the Europa League. Then, playing in the Champions League next season is what we all want. Sporting CP are a big club in world football, and big clubs have to be in the big competitions. Getting into the Champions League is an objective and an ambition for us all," concluded the skipper.

Sebastián Coates at the Estoril Open with several teammates

Sporting CP's Uruguayan centre-back Sebastián Coates spoke with the press this weekend, and the defensive giant was quick to confirm his stay in Alvalade: "Hopefully I will be here for years to come and I am very happy in Portugal. Sporting CP is a really important club and I have a good life here."

Coates and several other players are at the Estoril Open to watch this year's ATP World Tour, giving the squad a chance to reflect on next season's campaign: "Of course we had other objectives at the start of the season which we didn't achieve, but we have other things to focus on. We are always motivated at Sporting CP and we are all focused on winning the matches we have left, to get ready for next season as well as possible. I really like Tennis and I was here last year as well. It is nice to get away from football sometines."

Coates looks ahead to the weekend's Liga NOS hosting of Boavista

Sporting CP will host Boavista at 20h30 this Saturday, at a time when Jorge Jesus' side are really in their stride. One of the star performers this season, Coates is looking forward to another three points this weekend.

“We don't have a lot of matches to go now and we will take them as they come. The last seven matches have been good for us. We haven't always played how we would have liked, but we have won and that is what matters", said the big defender in an interview this Friday, adding a word on the weekend's action: "It will be a hard game and we will gave to do what we have been doing in the last seven games, which is to look to control the game."

The Uruguayan completed his 50th match in a green and white shirt recently and he is certainly enjoying his time in the Portuguese capital, affirming: "I am honoured to have played 50 matches for Sporting CP and hopefully I will play a lot more. I said the day I arrived that this is a club with a lot of history. It is a massive club in Portugal and it is a big responsibility to play here."

President Bruno de Carvalho reflects on the permanent signing of Coates

Speaking after attending a ceremony for the inauguration of the Matosinhos Sporting CP Supporters' Club, Bruno de Carvalho commented on the permanent move of Coates to Alvalade.

“Although people really tried to stop it, Coates is our player until 2022", said the Alvalade president.