This week, Palmeiras initiated a dismantling of the very successful 2018/2019 U-20 youth team. Some ten athletes are expected to be placed or traded within the coming days.
We already know the destination of two of them: Matheus Neris and Léo Passos are joining second-division Londrina on loan until the end of the year. They are among the players Palmeiras wish to see develop further, acquire more mileage, before being reevaluated with the aim of integrating them – or not – to the squad as of next year. 21-year-old striker Artur (at Bahia until the end of the year) and 22-year-old centre-back Augusto (Londrina, idem) are looking to trail the same path. Raphael Veiga and Victor Luis are recent examples of Palmeiras players returning to secure spots in the squad after stints at other clubs. However, only Victor Luis originates from the club’s youth divisions; he’s the one exception in the champion squad of 2018.
Some U-20 players have received proposals from Europe and Asia. Those deemed unfit to gain a spot in Scolari’s squad this year and with limited prospects of evolution will, a priori, be sold.
Palmeiras have a numerous and, for Brazilian standards, very qualified squad; it’s seldom players from the youth divisions (think Gabriel Jesus) go straight into the A-team. Even players that currently hold the São Paulo State championship, the Brazilian championship and the Brazil Cup. This, rightfully, renders some questioning as to the club’s preparation and transition practices; a topic that will be further explored in a future post.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 