Latest news with #CampeonatoCarioca
New York Times
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Former Brazil coach Tite pausing career to take mental and physical health break
Former Brazil head coach Tite has announced he is taking a career break to look after his mental and physical health. The 63-year-old was hospitalised due to a heart issue in August, before departing Brazilian top-flight side Flamengo in September. Tite confirmed he subsequently held talks over a return to Corinthians, but these were put on hold due to his decision to take an 'indefinite hiatus' from his career. A post shared by Matheus Bachi 🎣 (@matheusbachi) 'I understand that there are times when it is necessary to understand that, as a human being, I can be vulnerable and admitting this will certainly make me stronger,' Tite said in a statement. 'I am passionate about what I do and will continue to be so, but after talking to my family and observing the signs my body was giving me, I decided that the best thing to do now is to interrupt my career to take care of myself for as long as necessary. Advertisement 'As it became public, there was an ongoing conversation with Corinthians, but it will need to be halted due to a difficult but necessary decision.' Tite coached Brazil between 2016 and 2022, winning the Copa America title in 2019. He left his position after the nation's World Cup quarter-final exit on penalties to Croatia. One of the country's most decorated coaches, he most recently coached Flamengo between October 2023 and September 2024, winning last year's Campeonato Carioca. ()
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who is Wesley Franca? Liverpool makes 'informal approach' for Brazilian defender
Liverpool is reportedly keeping an eye on Flamengo defender Wesley Franca as Arne Slot considers adding to his defensive options this summer. The 21-year-old has become a regular starter for the Brazilian club, who were crowned Campeonato Carioca champions last year. Since joining Flamengo, Wesley has made 113 appearances and scored two goals. It's reported that Wesley is close to earning a call-up to the Brazil squad for next month's 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina. Liverpool is said to have been monitoring the 21-year-old since last season, with "informal approaches" already made. There are suggestions that the Reds could make a move for him after the newly-enhanced Club World Cup this summer. READ MORE: Arne Slot lifts lid on conversations with Jurgen Klopp as one Liverpool topic ignored READ MORE: Man City set to be without 4 players vs Liverpool amid Erling Haaland injury update Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Aston Villa have both reportedly had bids for Wesley turned down with Manchester United also said to be keeping an eye on the player. Flamengo also rejected a $26 million (€25M) offer from Russian club Zenit Saint-Petersburg last month. The Brazilian club could potentially earn over $31M (€30) from the sale of the 21-year-old defender. By making contact over a potential deal for Wesley Liverpool could be eyeing a solution to its Trent Alexander-Arnold issue, should he decide to leave in the summer, as well as strengthening its defensive options for the future. After a stint with Atlético Tubarão, Wesley joined Flamengo in 2021 following an impressive trial, initially linking up with their youth teams. His talents were quickly recognized, and he became a key starter for the under-20 side. Within a few months, Wesley earned a call-up to the senior team, making his full debut against Atlético Goianiense at just 18 years old. The youngster was given an opportunity in Flamengo's first team in 2023 through injuries to Guillermo Varela and Matheusinho. However, even after they returned, Wesley had solidified his place in the starting lineup thanks to a string of impressive performances. His consistent displays quickly made him a key player for Flamengo. Wesley's fearless ability to drive the ball forward and create chaos on the right flank is said to be a standout aspect of his game. While he primarily operates on the right side, he's also shown adaptability in the inverted full-back role. Wesley's versatility allows him to pop up in various positions across the pitch, making him difficult for defenders to track. Defensively, he is known for making overlapping or underlapping runs that disrupt the opposition, providing not only a tricky winger to mark but also a tenacious, attack-minded full-back. The Reds have had a strong South American presence in recent years, with players like Roberto Firmino, Alisson Becker, Fabinho, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, and Alexis Mac Allister all making significant contributions. With such a well-established South American contingent, Wesley would likely have no trouble fitting in at Liverpool.
New York Times
06-02-2025
- Business
- New York Times
What Carlos Alcaraz will bring to Everton
Carlos Alcaraz capped his final Flamengo appearance with a goal in the 2-0 Campeonato Carioca win over Sampaio Correa on January 31. Those in attendance at the game would not have known it then, but it was a parting gift at the end a short six-month stint at the Rio de Janeiro club. Even at that stage, the direction of travel was clear behind the scenes. Everton had agreed a deal in principle for the midfielder with the Brazilian club — the following day Alcaraz took the unusual step of publicising the move before it had properly been completed. Advertisement Late on Monday, some 72 hours later, Alcaraz formerly of Southampton and Juventus, became Everton's only signing of the window and the first under both new owners The Friedkin Group (TFG) and manager David Moyes. A late complication over an insurance clause meant the clubs required extra time after the 11pm deadline to get the deal over the line. There is always a temptation, from supporters and media alike, to read into the symbolism of such milestone moves. To look for clues as to what the first addition of a new era means for recruitment and playing style moving forward. But rather than a poster boy for Everton's new era under TFG and Moyes, Alcaraz looks like being a low-risk piece of opportunism for a club still working its way through profit and sustainability rules issues. The January window was one in which Everton encountered unique circumstances. TFG's takeover was only completed just before Christmas and Moyes replaced Sean Dyche as manager, at short notice, midway through the following month. Everyone at the club is still working out where they fit into the new setup, and the majority of due diligence on potential signings was done by director of football Kevin Thelwell and his recruitment team. Alcaraz was a long-standing target, tracked since his early days in his native Argentina with Racing Club and before he made the move to Southampton in January 2023. Industrious, versatile and a direct threat in the final third, he was seen as an 'Everton type'. Yet few on Merseyside would have initially imagined he would become available just months into his time at Flamengo. The 22-year-old was meant to be the Brazilian club's marquee addition, a record purchase at €18million over the summer. At that kind of money, he was expected to be Flamengo's star player, yet he quickly found himself down the pecking order in midfield. He started eight of their 15 league games at the end of last season, but only one of their last four. Advertisement This season, he has featured just once — Thursday's farewell in the Campeonato Carioca — but Flamengo started the campaign in a local cup competition and used their under-20 squad for the opening five games. The lack of opportunities forced the player and his representatives to act. 'Alcaraz called me on Thursday to talk and told me about Everton's offer,' Flamengo head coach Filipe Luis told a press conference last week. 'He asked if I was counting on him. I said that he was behind those he was competing for. He accepted that he wasn't doing well and said he would fight for a place on the team. It was a very sincere conversation. 'I feel sad, because I feel like it's a failure of mine. But it was a very high investment, and I didn't get the best return from it. It was a frank conversation and he decided to go. I love him. He doesn't give up, he wants to learn, he tries, he makes an effort.' A common view in Brazil was that Alcaraz was not overly suited to Flamengo's style. Under Luis, a former Brazil international who played for Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, they largely play a patient, possession game. Alcaraz, by contrast, thrives in transition and is best playing at a high tempo. 'He is a great player, but, within the game model adopted, we understand that he would have few opportunities to play his best football,' Jose Boto, Flamengo's director of football said in a statement. Alcaraz had similar issues under Russell Martin at Southampton. The Athletic reported that Martin wanted the midfielder to be safer in possession, and ended up moving him into a false nine role at times to compensate. From there, he could use his energy to press high and win back the ball. His flexibility was one of the things that appealed to Everton. The below shows the variety of ways in which he was used by Southampton in the first half of last season in the Championship, before his loan move to Juventus in Italy. After starting the campaign on the left of the midfield three, he had stints as a false nine and on the right before moving back to a deeper role before joining Flamengo. Everton are expected to use him most as a No 8 or a No 10, but the likely scenario is that he provides an extra option in Abdoulaye Doucoure's role behind the striker. Despite numerous attempts to move away from the former Watford midfielder, including a stint for Dwight McNeil centrally and the purchase of Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille last summer — they keep coming back to Doucoure for his work rate. He consistently tops the charts for distance covered and averages around 12km in games. Advertisement Alcaraz offers the same traits and a combative edge. According to SkillCorner data, he was just short of 10km per game in that half season with Southampton before he went to Serie A. But he is a better carrier of the ball than Doucoure and more of a goal threat. Alcaraz scored eight goals in 48 appearances at St Mary's. Alcaraz curls home a BEAUTY! 🤩 — Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) December 29, 2023 The below graphic shows how active the Argentine is from an attacking perspective. He averaged 2.6 shots per game in that half season in the Championship, was not afraid to strike from distance, and was able to attack the box with runs from deep with regularity. He was in active passer in the zones just outside the area. It is easy to forget that Alcaraz is just 22 and still making his way in the game. Despite his experiences in Argentina, Brazil, Italy and England, he is by no means the finished product. A move back to the Premier League gives him an opportunity to kick on and showcase his talent. The purchase clause will only be triggered if he makes a high number of league starts between now and the end of the season, giving Everton a degree of control through selection over the outcome. It is a try-before-you-buy type scenario with minimal risk and plenty of potential upside. In Alcaraz, they have a player who arrives with a point to prove, and someone who provides another decent option for a threadbare squad.
