Deco explains why Barcelona never pursued Estevao before Chelsea move

FC Barcelona have centered on signing developmental bets in latest seasons. They went on a spree this January, however even earlier than that, the membership had introduced in various promising gamers since Deco turned sporting director.

One participant they didn’t pursue, regardless of his apparent expertise, was Estevao Willian earlier than he joined Chelsea. Though touted as the most important Brazilian expertise since Neymar and a self-proclaimed Barcelona fan, the membership didn’t transfer for him.

Estevao has since joined Chelsea, the place he has made a reputation for himself with some good performances. Now, in an interview with Brazilian channel TNT Sports activities, as reported by SPORTDeco has defined why Barcelona by no means positioned themselves for the Brazilian teenager.

Deco began by highlighting Barcelona’s squad planning on the time:

“There are a number of causes. First, within the development section we’re in, we’ve got a participant in the identical place with comparable traits known as Lamine Yamal. It’s apparent.”

He then addressed the query of whether or not each gamers might have performed collectively:

“Nevertheless, can they play collectively? Sure, nice gamers all the time adapt. The issue is that our priorities have been to not strengthen that place.”

Deco additional emphasised the significance of constructing strategic investments throughout the squad fairly than spending closely on gamers with overlapping talent units:

“When you’ve got cash to spend and also you make investments it in a participant with the identical traits, then you’ll be able to’t complain later that you just’re lacking gamers in different positions.”

He additionally identified that timing performed a key function. The membership’s selections have been influenced by the second Barcelona was in, and signing Estevao was merely not aligned with their speedy wants:

“It’s a query of timing and of Barcelona’s second, when different selections needed to be made, and this was not one in all them.”

Deco prompt that Estevao’s profile didn’t match the membership’s tactical wants on the time:

“Possibly if Estêvão have been a right-footed participant who performed on the opposite facet, the answer would have been there… however that wasn’t the case. He’s a really comparable participant to Lamine, though with completely different traits.”

He made it clear that the choice was not a mirrored image of Estevao’s expertise, however fairly a consequence of Barcelona’s strategic priorities and squad stability.

“He and Lamine are two nice gamers, however at that second, it wasn’t the choice. It has nothing to do with high quality, however with the second Barça have been in when strengthening the squad.”

Lastly, Deco acknowledged the Brazilian’s high quality in motion, recalling his robust efficiency in Chelsea’s 3–0 victory over Barcelona within the Champions League.

“We arrived with out some essential gamers, like Raphinha. Chelsea have been very aggressive and really robust. Estêvão had three or 4 actions close to the field, and that’s the place his high quality made the distinction.”

All the things factors to Estevao having an enormous profession within the sport. That mentioned, Deco makes full sense in saying that Barcelona selected to not pursue a possible transfer for the Brazilian due to Lamine Yamal’s presence on the precise wing.

In distinction, Barcelona signed Roony Bardghji for a cut price price, and the Swedish winger has settled in properly. This has allowed them to strengthen different positions, together with the goalkeeping division. We are going to see how the Brazilian’s profession performs out and whether or not his path crosses with that of the Catalan membership at any level sooner or later.