Marcão keeps tabs on five Xerém gems at Fluminense, see | OneFootball

First of all, coach Marcão took advantage of the break to observe five Fluminense U-20 players. Vagno, Ruan Sales, Naarã Lucas, Keven Samuel, and Wesley Natã are among those being evaluated by the coaching staff.

RTI Esporte Agency has learned that Marcão attended last Saturday’s (26) U-20 derby between Flamengo and Fluminense. The coach went to the match to monitor the youngsters’ development and identify possible options for the senior squad.

The coach’s list includes players from different positions. Vagno, for example, plays as a left-back; Ruan Sales is a defensive midfielder; Naarã Lucas plays in midfield; while Keven Samuel and Wesley Natã are forwards.

Among the five, Naarã Lucas is the only one who has not yet made his debut for the first team. The midfielder, however, has already been included in the squad for a match and is seen as one of the most promising players of the current Xerém generation.

Naarã Lucas stands out among the names

Naarã Lucas’s situation deserves attention precisely because of how close he is to the senior team. Although he has not yet taken the field for the first team, the midfielder has already had contact with that environment and is waiting for an opportunity to make the definitive transition.

The process, however, does not mean an immediate promotion this season. Fluminense are assessing the players’ development before deciding the right time to integrate them into the squad led by Marcão.

Vagno, Ruan Sales, Keven Samuel, and Wesley Natã are already further along in this process of moving closer to professional football. The progress shown by each of them could open up new possibilities over the course of the season.

Marcão has already given opportunities to academy players

The focus on Xerém players reflects an approach Marcão has adopted since returning to lead Fluminense. The coach has already increased the involvement of youngsters in the squad and given opportunities to players such as Júlio Fidelis and Riquelme Felipe.

The strategy becomes even more important with a schedule that will remain intense after the FIFA international break. Fluminense will have four consecutive matches at the Maracanã Stadium, against Coritiba, Flamengo, Palmeiras, and Santos.

At the same time as he prepares the team for the next stretch of the Brazilian Serie A season, coach Marcão is working with a squad that combines experienced players and athletes developed at the club.

Fluminense return to action on October 8 against Coritiba in the 29th round of the Brasileirão. Until then, Marcão will have time to make his decisions and, possibly, bring another Xerém name closer to the first team.

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