William Carvalho pleased with Sporting's second Liga NOS win

"The lads deserve a pat on the back for how we played. Our objective was to win and it is never easy to do that here", said William Carvalho at the final whistle this Saturday, adding a word on transfer speculation and his future in Lisbon: "(I am) focused on Sporting."

Patrício, Adrien, William Carvalho and João Mário in training

Sporting's quartet of Euro 2016, Rui Patrício, Adrien Silva, William Carvalho and João Mário, were out on the training pitch this Wednesday, after a well-earned break.

Patrício, Adrien and William were in Alvalade for the presentation match against Lyon at the weekend, however only Patrício saw action.

The four give Jorge Jesus extra options ahead of Saturday's Five Violins Trophy hosting of Wolfsburg in Alvalade, with Sporting looking to win the trophy for the 5th time.

William Carvalho on Sporting's 3-1 win against Marítimo

William Carvalho rounded off a week which saw him celebrate his 24th birthday with a goal against Marítimo on Saturday, in a match which also saw him step in as skipper in place of the suspended Adrien Silva.

“We played really well. We were really powerful in attack and strong in defence. We showed a lot of heart and we are in the fight for the title. It was nice to score and help the team, but the most important thing now is that we focus on our next match", said the Portuguese international, going on to add a word for the fans: "Yey again we have their help. They have been absolutely fantastic this year and I hope it carries on."

William Carvalho on Sporting's 5-2 win in Restelo

William Carvalho put in another sterling performance this Monday night, this time orchestrating Sporting's 5-2 dismantling of Belenenses.

“The team is really confident right now. We played some good football and things are clicking into place now", said the Portuguese international at the final whistle, adding: "During the week we put the work in on the training pitch and we knew how to cancel out Belenenses. It went well for us and we showed a lot of power out there tonight. We will do our job, which means winning every match until the end of the season and believing we can win the league."

Fernando Santos names squad for Belgium and Bulgaria friendlies

Sporting CP dominate Fernando Santos' squad for two friendlies against Belgium and Bulgaria, in a squad list issued this week.

Rui Patrício, William Carvalho, Adrien Silva and João Mário will all feature against Bulgaria on the 25th of March in Leiria, before the Portuguese take on Belgium on the 29th of March in Brussels.

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Eduardo (Dynamo Zagreb) and Rui Patrício (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe), Cédric and José Fonte (Southampton), Eliseu (Benfica), Pepe (Real Madrid), Raphael Guerreiro (Lorient), Ricardo Carvalho (Monaco) and Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva, João Mário and William Carvalho (Sporting CP), André Gomes (Valência), Bernardo Silva (Monaco), Danilo Pereira (FC Porto) and Renato Sanches (Benfica)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit), Éder (Lille), Nani (Fenerbahçe), Rafa (SC Braga) and Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)

William Carvalho at the final whistle after draw in Guimarães

Sporting CP came away from Guimarães with a nil-nil draw this Monday, despite dominating from start to finish.

“It was a well fought game, especially in the midfield. I think we dominated for the 90 minutes and if anyone deserve to win, it was us", said William Carvalho at the final whistle, adding: "We had a lot of chances, but we didn't make the most of them."

The midfield finished with a comment on the coming Lisbon derby: "The next match means three points and that doesn't decide anything. Today we couldn't get the win and the fans might not have liked it, but we worked really hard."

William Carvalho and João Mário at the final whistle after Thursday's loss to Leverkusen

Sporting's midfield pairing of João Mário and William Carvalho took a moment to speak with radio journalists after Thursday's 3-1 Europa League loss to Bayer Leverkusen this Thursday night.

“We were not effective enough after we scored. We had chances to get ahead, but we didn't and that cost us", explained João Mário, preferring to move his focus onto Sporting's Liga NOS campaign: "We felt like we could get past this tie, but we didn't and now we will concentrate on the league."

William Carvalho also set his sights on the domestic campaign. "All we have to do is concentrate on the league now. We have said since the start of the season that our main focus is that and now we will get ready for Monday in Guimarães", affirmed the Portuguese international, finishing with his analysis of the evening's encounter: “They (Bayer Leverkusen) were more effective than us. We had our chances, but we didn't convert on them while they did."

William Carvalho on Saturday's win in Madeira

"It has been a really happy week for me. I renewed by contract, Sporting showed trust in me and I am really happy to stay here", opened William Carvalho in a flash interview after his side's 4-0 win against Nacional this Saturday.

Moving on to the match itself, the Portuguese midfielder affirmed: "It was a good game and we played really well. Now we will start focusing on Thursday's match. This was worth three points, just like it always is. All we have to think about is what we are doing and not what our rivals are doing."

The Sporting Academy graduate finished with a word on his recent form and Thursday's Europa League encounter: "I have been working hard in the week and I know my best form will come through soon. Thursday will be an important match. It is over two legs and with the first at home we want to win it."

William Carvalho's thoughts after penning a deal valid until 2020

Alraedy at Alvalade for eleven years, William Carvalho grew up at the Sporting Academy and worked his way through the club's youth system towards the dream of professional football. Today, the midfielder extended his stay for another four years.

“I am really happy with the confidence that Sporting has shown in me once again. Renewing my contract for another four years is a dream come true for me", said William Carvalho after putting pen to paper, adding: "This will motivate me even more to make sure I am at my best. I want to tell the fans that I am really happy with the contract until 2020 that I have signed and you can expect me to do by best. I have been here a long time and I want to stay here. I am really proud to play for this institution and I want to say something to the kids playing at the Academy: "Fight for your dream. Carry on working hard and you will be rewarded."

William Carvalho

In compliance with article 248.º, n.º 1 a) of the Market Securities Code, the Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol, SAD Board of Administration informs that the athlete William Silva de Carvalho has extended his contract with Sporting Clube de Portugal – Futebol SAD until the 2019/2020 season, with a buy-out clause of €45,000,000.00 (forty five million euros).

Lisbon, 9th of February 2016

The Board of Administration