Perhaps the most compelling roster battle to watch during preseason will be in the central midfield. Assuming full fitness, João Paulo seems a solid bet to be starting in the defensive midfield. But who his partner is and what the depth looks like behind him seems to be very much in question.
It’s not for a lack of options. Cristian Roldan, Albert Rusnák and Nicolás Lodeiro are all candidates to fill that spot and are potentially Best XI-caliber players. One way or another, though, all three of those players are probably starting, though.
Where it gets potentially more interesting — at least from a preseason storyline perspective — is the situation behind them.