Mauricio emerges as Palmeiras' answer to Allan's absence | OneFootball

Allan's move to Manchester City opens up space in Palmeiras' lineup, but the club does not intend to go into the market for a direct replacement. The board's strategy is to trust in the strength of the squad led by Abel Ferreira, and Mauricio has emerged as one of the main candidates to take on a bigger role after the Academy graduate's transfer.

The midfielder has been in great form since returning from the World Cup. Mauricio gained a new status within the squad after his experience with the Paraguay national team at the tournament and, since then, has come to be seen as an increasingly important piece for Abel. In July, in Palmeiras' very first match after the competition, he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Coritiba.

Mauricio in good form and no replacement planned

His strong run did not stop there. Mauricio scored four goals in four matches after the World Cup and began putting pressure on the other attacking players for a starting spot. Internally, the view is that the midfielder has taken on more responsibility and returned from the tournament at a different level.

With Allan sold to Manchester City in a deal that could reach 40 million euros, around R$240 million, Palmeiras is working with different alternatives from within its own squad. Mauricio, Felipe Anderson, Jhon Arias, Khellven, and Agustín Giay are options to fill the role left by the young forward.

The tendency, however, is for Mauricio to regain space among the starters. The midfielder can play in a more advanced role on the left side, while Jhon Arias is one of the possibilities to take over the right flank previously occupied by Allan. This setup has been identified as one of the alternatives to maintain the balance of Abel Ferreira's system without the need for a signing.

The board itself has already indicated that it does not intend to make an automatic replacement. The assessment is that the current squad offers enough alternatives to absorb Allan's departure, and a new signing would only be considered if an exceptional market opportunity arises.

Mauricio could become even more important

The situation also represents an opportunity for Mauricio to fully cement the leading role he began to build after the World Cup. At 25, the midfielder has come to be seen as a player capable of providing creativity, runs into the box, and attacking presence in different roles.

Palmeiras face Santos this Wednesday (26) at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Nubank Parque in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals. Allan is already out of the match due to his transfer to English football, and Mauricio is competing with Felipe Anderson for the spot left vacant by the forward.

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