Barra Funda issues, privacy led players to Cotia: “Necessary”, Dorival | OneFootball

Lack of space at the Barra Funda training center and issues with the condition of the pitches there reportedly led São Paulo to move four players sidelined from the first-team squad to work at Cotia, the club’s youth academy base. The measure will remain in effect at least until the end of this week.

The information was reported by journalist Alexandre Salvador, from the channels ‘3 Zagueiros’ and ‘Arnaldo e Tironi’.

According to the report, the decision to relocate the quartet was intended to preserve the privacy of the main squad and ease an atmosphere considered awkward due to the daily presence of players who are not in the club’s plans in the training center’s common areas.

Also according to the journalist’s report, the Barra Funda training center has faced pest problems on the pitches and recent renovation work. Excessive moisture on one of the fields — located near the border with Palmeiras’ training center and with less sunlight exposure — has reportedly been leaving the surface waterlogged and unstable, a factor that, according to the internal view described, may have contributed to recent injuries suffered by players such as Arboleda, Artur, and Cauly.

Because of all this, there would be limited space for defensive midfielder Luan, full-backs Cédric Soares and Maik, and center-back Matheus Belém to maintain a routine of activities without contact with the rest of the group.

When asked about the matter at the press conference after the win over Bolívar, head coach Dorival Júnior confirmed the move and justified it on logistical and operational grounds:

“It was an internal decision of ours, it was made, everyone is aware of it, it was necessary. They are receiving all possible attention, with professionals monitoring them. Only because of the problems we are having internally did we have to make a decision,” the coach said.

The situation of the sidelined players

The players sent to the Cotia training center were given a specific schedule of activities to follow until Friday (21), while the plan for the following weeks will still be defined by the board.

Having been informed about two months ago that they would not be used by the coaching staff, the players are free to look for new clubs.

Luan: The defensive midfielder had been training at alternate times at Barra Funda. With a contract valid only until the end of this year, the player is already free to sign a pre-contract with another team and is negotiating an amicable termination after refusing to be loaned out.

Cédric Soares: The Portuguese right-back was also following a separate schedule at the first team’s training center. He has a contract with the club until the end of 2027.

Maik: The 21-year-old full-back lost space in the squad during coach Roger Machado’s spell and is under contract with São Paulo until May 2028.

Matheus Belém: The 23-year-old center-back is in the final stage of his deal, with a contract valid until the end of this year, and can also sign a pre-agreement with another club.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.