Leonardo Jardim to use World Cup pause to assess Flamengo’s academy | OneFootball

Leonardo Jardim plans to use the World Cup break to take a closer look at Flamengo’s academy and potentially integrate under-20 players in the second half of the year, according to Globo.com.

The staff will review the under-20s this month and during the pause, with a plan to test prospects who could join the senior squad later in the year.

Jardim said Jhonny was promoted amid a shortage at left-back and is just starting out, so they would not rush him. He added he has launched many leading players and that youngsters must be prepared, which recent scheduling has hindered.

He plans to use late May and the start of pre-season in June and July to assess the best of the academy and under-20s. With constant matches and travel, building training rhythms has been difficult, so for now the emphasis stays on those working daily with the seniors.

Months ago, he voiced a wish to draw on members of the team that finished runners-up in this year’s under-20 Libertadores. Like Jhonny, several peers have made squads but have not yet played.

At Cruzeiro, he immersed himself in the academy and backed a move to return youth training to CT Toca da Raposa II, improving visibility and easing transitions. Kauã Prates, Janderson and Murilo Rhikhman were promoted, while Kaiki became a starter.

Abroad, Jardim also worked closely with youth, helping players who later flourished, including Kylian Mbappé, now at Real Madrid, and Bernardo Silva, now at Manchester City.

Source: Globo.com