Crespo backs Cotia talent: six academy stars for São Paulo in 2026 | OneFootball

São Paulo will change its squad-building strategy for 2026. In the first planning meeting already focused on next season, held this Wednesday (29), the board and the technical staff led by Hernán Crespo set the direction for Tricolor.

And for the future, the bet will be on Cotia's homegrown talents, the youth academy that continues to produce great names every year. According to information gathered by AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR, it was decided after the discussions that at least six young players will be promoted to São Paulo's first team next year.

Crespo and his staff have been observing the under-20 team's talents since their arrival, and frequently use many of these players in activities at the Barra Funda training center, sometimes even including them in match squads, especially due to the club's ongoing injury issues over the years.

The Argentine coach, therefore, has indicated some preferred names to join the senior team, but the evaluation will continue until the end of the season, and the number of promotions could still increase.

Tricolor has two important tournaments at the end of this year and the beginning of 2026, with two title defenses. Still in 2025, the team led by Allan Barcelos will compete in the Copa do Brasil, facing Grêmio in the round of 16.

At the start of next season, the traditional Copinha will take place in January. São Paulo is the current champion of both youth tournaments. Only after that will Hernán Crespo decide who will actually join his squad.

Some names are almost certain to be used, such as forward Gustavo Santana, already 20 years old, but recently signed by Tricolor, already thinking about the future. Defender Isac and top scorer Paulinho, recently included by Crespo, are others likely to be promoted.

In addition to them, goalkeeper João Pedro, full-back/midfielder Nicolas, and forward Lucca, who frequently train at Barra Funda, may get more opportunities. Other youngsters, such as Matheus Ferreira, Pedro Ferreira, and Igor Felisberto are also being closely monitored.

SQUAD BUILDING

Also during the meeting, the squad assembly was discussed. Casares, superintendent Márcio Carlomagno, director Carlos Belmonte, and executive Rui Costa emphasized to Crespo that the number of signings will, of course, depend on whether or not the club qualifies for the Libertadores.

The same goes for the 'cost' of these players. If Tricolor reaches the main continental competition, the promise is that the possibility of signing a more high-profile (and expensive) player could be considered.

There was no resistance from Crespo. But there was a caveat. He was emphatic with the directors: he wants far fewer injury cases in his squad next season. This year, São Paulo has accumulated a total of 59 injury cases. In the last two games, 11 players were absent and handed over to Reffis.

According to reports given to AMT, Casares and Belmonte agreed that the issue needs to be improved. And they maintained the promise to make changes to Reffis at the end of the current season. But they were surprised. Crespo wants to talk to the scouting department. And to include in the scouting process factors such as minutes played and, especially, injury history. According to sources, the Argentine asked that players without many recent matches or who have suffered serious recent injuries be excluded from signing targets.

The profile drawn by Crespo for ideal reinforcements for Tricolor in 2026 is of players who have great intensity, physical strength, and versatility, who can perform more than one role and are able to recover defensively after attacking, without the ball, with some ease. Marcos Antônio was the example used, according to information given to AMT.

Meetings between Crespo and the board may occur weekly, but there is no set frequency. The coach also does not want a kind of 'dedication' to next year's planning while important things are still at stake this year. The directors agreed.

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