The club is looking to add a new player to their lineup this March to boost their chances of winning more tournaments.
It’s February and Flamengo has already won two trophies. Two. February. Let that sink in for a moment. In a matter of weeks, that number could be up to three. They have an upcoming match against Independiente del Valle scheduled this week in the Recopa Sudamericana.
Looking to add to their trophy haul (because, of course, who wouldn’t want to), the Brazilian football club is looking to sign a new player this March. This has been bumped up as a priority recently with the aforementioned tournament nearing its final. Jorge Jesus, the club’s manager, wants a player who will embrace his role as a backup to Rafinha. This, however, doesn’t mean that that player is willing to sacrifice quality just because of the role. Undoubtedly, this has made negotiating for players a tad difficult since it’s too much to ask for a substitute role.
One player that would have suited the role was Atlético Nacional captain Daniel Muñoz. However, the club’s executives thought that the asking price for the player was too high and that the player’s parent club is asking too much because of Flamengo’s current reputation. Other players are also being eyed for the role with their names being kept confidential so as not to affect possible negotiations. Currently, the club has João Lucas and Matheus França as their backup to Rafinha. The latter has been playing with the club’s U-20 side. They’ve managed to qualify for the Copa Libertadores U-20 semi-finals. Coincidentally, they will also face Independiente del Valle’s U-20 squad.
In similar news, Flamengo’s manager has allowed his players some time off after their excellent performance as of late. They beat Athletico-PR in the Supercopa do Brasil recently, adding the Taça Guanabara to their list of trophies won for the year. Despite being down 1-0 in the fifth minute, Flamengo was able to come back with a goal from Diego before the first-half came to an end. A goal from Gabriel Barbosa during the 81st minute secured the win for the club.
Jorge Jesus, who believes that his team earned a break from the game, allowed them to take some time for themselves. ‘We are going to take time off and are free for Carnival or to be able to rest, whoever wants to’, said the manager in an interview. He also added that he was hoping that no injuries befall the team before the Recopa Sudamericana match against Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle and that Jorge Henrique recovers quicker.
‘We had to change more than usual against Boavista’, said Jorge Jesus. ‘Players who had physical problems, like Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Rafinha and Bruno Henrique, we don’t know if they will be recoverable. I have some doubts, maybe Rafinha will have a better chance. I’m used to doctors doing miracles’.
In other news, veteran player Hernane is thinking of playing for Flamengo one more time before he retires. He previously spent three years with the club from 2012 to 2014. In an interview, he said, ‘When the fan sees me on the street, he asks me to come back and I think this is recognition of a job well done. It is marked in history and nobody can erase what I did with the Flamengo shirt. If I have the opportunity (to return) one day, who knows?’.