Saúl leaves Flamengo future open: “Play, I’m class, sit, I’m not” | OneFootball

Saúl played 90 minutes for the first time this year

It is no secret that Saúl is not happy at Flamengo. With few opportunities, the Spaniard is considering leaving the club at the end of the season. While the year is not over, the No. 8 wants to show head coach Leonardo Jardim that he can be useful. This Sunday (20), after playing 90 minutes against Bragantino, the midfielder spoke out and did not mince his words.

— If there is a good opportunity (offer) and I’m not playing, I think it is best for the team and for everyone, I will leave. But I said that before the transfer window (closed). My opportunity for myself was to work and earn opportunities in the squad. If from now until the end of the season it does not happen, I will speak with the club. If the club wants me to leave… Because then they say that when I play, Saúl is very good. When I don’t play, I’m not very good. That’s how it is — said Saúl in the mixed zone at the Maracanã.

— Football is like that. I am very happy at Flamengo. I have a great opportunity to play for Flamengo. It is a very big club, very big. Both inside and outside, the fans are very good. I am very happy to play for Flamengo. But all players want to play. And if they do not play, they have to look for opportunities elsewhere. But not now. I am happy to play for Flamengo. My family wants to stay here — added the midfielder.

SAÚL PHYSICALLY

Saúl has made only 13 appearances this year, with three starts. Against Bragantino, the midfielder played 90 minutes, something that had not happened since the 34th round of last year’s Brasileirão. Asked about his physical condition, the No. 8 admitted he is not at his best due to the lack of opportunities.

— Physically I am not at my best right now. That is normal when a player goes so long without playing; he also becomes slower. Then there are not many opportunities to play, to play ninety minutes. I keep trying to train as much as possible to be ready. And when the coach needs me, I try to do the best I can. I think that if I keep training and keep playing, physically I will get better. Normal. But I think the most important thing is always the squad and being prepared for when the team and the coach need me — said Saúl.

— It bothers me a lot (the low number of minutes). Like all players, all players want to play, want to be important to the team. But Flamengo has a very good squad, it has very good players. I think that whether the starting team plays or the backup team plays, I think they can be champions of the Brasileirão and the Libertadores. The squad is very, very, very good. The coach has a problem, because all the players want to play. And, in the end, it is very difficult to get in. The team has very mature players — explained Saúl.

— Now you have to understand that everyone wants to play. But the first and most important thing is always the team. That can be looked at in the end when there is an opportunity. The second part, when the player comes on, imagine, Bruno. He wants to play every game. When he comes on and scores the winning goal… It is very important that the people who come off the bench have that opportunity and perform like that. After that, everyone wants to play and gets upset about not playing — he concluded.

MORE MINUTES FOR SAÚL?

After a good performance against Bragantino, Saúl now hopes to earn more minutes. And that chance could come in the Libertadores, in October, against Estudiantes (ARG). After all, Jorginho is suspended for the first leg, and Evertton Araújo is unlikely to recover from injury in time.

However, Saúl will face competition from Lucas Paquetá and Erick Pulgar, who served suspensions this Sunday (20). So Leonardo Jardim will have plenty of time to ‘solve this problem.’ After all, Flamengo will not take the field again until October 8, against Santos, at Vila Belmiro.

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