These reactions to Carlos Coronel's São Paulo switch suggest Orlando City dodged a bullet

With rumours awash that Martín Ojeda could well be on his way out the door this off-season, I figured we all needed some cheering up.

That's where Carlos Coronel comes in.

Just days after abandoning a move to Orlando City at the eleventh hour, the 29-year-old signed for São Paulo on a three-year deal back in his native Brazil, presumably more content to play second fiddle to Rafael, the club's steady veteran between the sticks, than continue to be lauded as one of the most talented goalkeepers in Major League Soccer.

If the reactions of some of his new club's fans are anything to go by, then Coronel probably won't be welcomed with much enthusiasm at all. It's a shame this whole transfer saga has ended the way it has, but he can't have many complaints after treating our club with so little respect.

An underwhelming addition

"Congratulations, ask if he knows how to play as a midfielder because what we need is a creative player," said one São Paulo fan on X (formerly Twitter).

Unfortunately for Coronel, even after remarkably ending a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup tie as an outfielder two-and-a-half years ago, I'm not entirely convinced he's capable of doing a job in the middle of the park full-time.

Missing out on qualification for next season's Copa Libertadores after an underwhelming campaign, São Paulo fans are demanding a whole lot more ambition than is currently being shown by the club's board.

Quite clearly, Coronel doesn't cut the mustard. But, if our affection for the recently departed Pedro Gallese is anything to go by, he would've been adored in Orlando.

A spanner in the works

Of course, as football fans, goalkeeper signings are never the most exciting. But it's not just that Coronel isn't wanted at São Paulo, it's that he really isn't needed.

In his mid-thirties, Rafael is certainly getting on a bit, but the club's prolific youth set-up is bound to yield a homegrown successor sooner rather than later.

Young, São Paulo's aptly named 23-year-old, was very much anticipated to inherit the gloves upon Rafael's retirement, and has already featured three times for the senior team.

It's not just Young whose development may be hampered by Coronel's arrival. The likes of João Pedro, Felipe Preis, and João Nazari, who have all impressed for the club's youth sides in recent times, will also likely see their chances of first-time minutes reduced.

"Another screw-up from management," said another supporter on social media. "Tip for the youth goalkeepers: get out of this club as soon as possible."

Lacking attitude, not ability

"When a guy comes from markets like China and the United States, I get a bit wary," said another.

I mean, I understand that the Brasileirão is a step up from anything our league has to offer, but I genuinely believe that Coronel is a good enough 'keeper to perform for São Paulo. It's just a shame his attitude might let him down.

He and his camp going radio silent just as his move to Orlando was set to be finalised, I think we dodged a bullet with this one. And anyway, Maxime Crépeau never shipped five goals in a do-or-die semi-final against us, did he?