Leonardo Jardim details Paquetá’s versatility and analyzes the impact of Freitas at Flamengo.
Flamengo head coach Leonardo Jardim gave a press conference following the victory over Mirassol, highlighting the performance of Lucas Paquetá. The manager emphasized the importance of the midfielder’s versatility, noting that his ability to play in various positions adds significant value to the team.
Leonardo Jardim stated:
“I was speaking with Paquetá just now at the end of the match to congratulate him, because I think he played one of his best games with us. He has had good games before, but today was a great, competent performance. He played as a central midfielder in the first half and as a defensive midfielder in the second. I told him: ‘Your transfer was expensive because you play in more than just one or two positions. That is why you are worth more than those who can only play in one’.”
The Rubro-negro coach emphasized that Paquetá‘s capacity to operate in different areas of the field is a major asset for the squad: “He is a versatile player whom we believe is important to our structure. (…) We have six players who like to play as defensive midfielders, but Flamengo must have solutions for various needs. I am satisfied with the versatility he shows.”
The press conference also served as an opportunity for Jardim to analyze the arrival of Joaquín Freitas, an attacking reinforcement from River Plate (ARG). The coach compared the new signing to Wallace Yan, who recently left the club.
“They are different players, but they both fulfill the role of a forward or a second striker. Freitas can play as a second striker or as a winger; he has more versatility than Wallace,” the coach explained.
With the win over Mirassol, Flamengo reached 51 points in the Brazilian Serie A, sitting just one point behind leaders Palmeiras. The team’s performance and the latest moves in the transfer market continue to be hot topics behind the scenes at the club.
