In an interview with Paulo Freitas – follower of Brazilian football with a special interest in youth football and a writer for O Jogo Bonito – we discuss, amongst other things, Solidarity Mechanism, La Copa Libertadores Sub-20, and the recent State Juvenil tournaments.
What effect, if any, do you think FIFA’s solidarity mechanism has had on Brazilian football clubs, especially with lower-league clubs?
It has almost no effect on Brazilian amateur clubs as development of players is made mostly by professional clubs. But many clubs (big and small ones) have people in charge of checking what happens to former youth players so that the clubs can get some extra income when those players move to different clubs.
Would you like to see the 5% amount increased?
I certainly would, maybe to 10% or so, it will benefit more the countries that export too many players, inflation in players’ transfer values would be a bad side effect, but I think it would still be worth it changing that percentage.
Why do you think the mechanism, especially within Europe, is so unheard of – even to some clubs.
I think part of the problem is that most of the big clubs, bar Barcelona, are essentially buyers rather than sellers of players. Those clubs are naturally the ones that get more press and fan attention, so since the solidarity mechanism is not important to them, it is not important to the press and fans either.
What were your thoughts on the inaugural Copa Libertadores Sub-20? Is it here to stay?
I think on the pitch it was a very interesting tournament, the level was not brilliant but was not bad either. I expect it to stay for a few more years at least, but it will need to get more media attention, at least in Brazil. Here it was only shown on cable TV, which also showed only Flamengo games, but no matches involving only foreign teams.
Ahead of Lucas Piazón’s January move to Chelsea do you think it is too soon for him to be moving to Europe? Do you think he will adapt successfully?
I think he should have tried first to make a name in Brazil before leaving the country. I expect him to struggle to play often as Chelsea have a very strong squad and don’t really need him now. He will end up either rotting in the reserves or get loaned to small teams. I don’t think he will have any big trouble to adapt to England though.
Is there a player from any of the 2011 State Juvenil tournaments who overly impressed you?
Many players, especially those who play for Flamengo, impressed me in the Copa São Paulo [Brazil’s most important youth tournament], like Flamengo’s goalkeeper César who saved many penalties too, São Paulo’s attacking left-back Henrique Miranda who is also already part of their senior team, Flamengo’s defensive midfielder Muralha (Muralha means “wall”) who is strong and marks well and Desportivo Brasil’s striker Dellatorre who is a good goal poacher.
As Brazilian Football gets financially stronger do you think the reliance on developing youth players will decrease?
I am sure clubs will focus less on youth development, as just bringing established players, or keeping them, is an easier and safer option in the short-term than gambling on youth players who tend to lack consistency. Most fans also seem to prefer to see big names than unknown kids, unless that kid is overhyped by the press. I expect youth development to become far more important for the smaller clubs that won’t be able to import players as they will sell their players to big ones, like already happens to some extent with the likes of Atlético Paranaense, Goiás and Vitória.
And finally….
If you could change/implement any regulation which concerns Youth Football at either a national or world-wide level what would it be?
I think ideally U-21 players or even U-23 ones should not be allowed to leave their countries, so that they can develop a local football identity, and so that fans can get to know them. This kind of rule is not feasible though as would clash with laws that allow adults to live and work wherever they want to.
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Thank you to Paulo for his time.
Paulo Freitas writes for O Jogo Bonito, and can be followed on Twitter @Cynegeticus.
He has, in the past, written for this site as well.
World Youth Soccer 