Zé Elias on Corinthians squad, Diniz and club finances | OneFootball

Developed through Corinthians’ youth academy and identified with the club from his very first steps in football, Zé Elias took part in Resenha do Lounge, held in a suite at Neo Química Arena, and spoke about different topics related to the club’s current moment. The former defensive midfielder assessed the squad led by Fernando Diniz, commented on the team’s outlook for the season, addressed Memphis Depay’s situation, the club’s debts and the SAFiel project, and also recalled his development at Parque São Jorge.

Now an ESPN commentator, Zé Elias played 161 matches for Corinthians, 155 of them as a starter. He recorded 80 wins, 50 draws and 31 losses, as well as scoring two goals. Among his titles are the 1995 Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil, in addition to the 1994 Copa Bandeirantes.

Photo: Disclosure / Corinthians

His first-team debut came at just 16 years old, in September 1993, in a 2-0 win over Cruzeiro at Mineirão. The midfielder stayed with the club until 1996 and became known as “Zé da Fiel”.

Zé Elias sees limitations in the current squad

While analyzing the group available to Fernando Diniz in 2026, Zé Elias pointed to areas where he believes Corinthians do not have players of the same level to make substitutions. For the former player, this directly affects the coach’s ability to manage wear and tear throughout the season.

“I think it’s obvious, I think everyone can see that Corinthians’ squad has its limitations. There are some positions that are a problem, especially for Fernando Diniz, in terms of managing the group, making that famous rotation, so you can always have quality, a game with the same consistency, let’s put it that way, and not lose quality — and with that, you lose performance. You have some problems. For example, at right-back there’s Matheuzinho, at left-back there’s Bidu, and you don’t have replacements for them at the same level. In midfield, now, with some players having left, you have three defensive midfielders that need to rotate.

There’s the possibility of bringing in a No. 10, because unfortunately only Garro plays that role, or maybe Bidon, but Bidon is more of a forward-facing player, not one who plays with his back to goal. And up front, we don’t even need to talk about it. There are the difficulties when Yuri Alberto is out; now there’s Pedro Raul, but they’re two strikers with different characteristics, different ways of playing, so you have to build your starting 11 in a way that fits those characteristics exactly.

Memphis is a different type of player, he’s no longer a 9, he’s a 9.5, let’s say, somewhere between a No. 9 and a No. 10, and that gives you something you can use in certain situations, against certain opponents. But of course Corinthians have a lot of squad problems and that’s why we fluctuate so much. Fernando Diniz’s style of play often softens this kind of situation.”

Relationship with Diniz and assessment of his style of play

The analysis of Fernando Diniz also touched on the long-standing relationship between the two. Zé Elias said he has known the coach since his teenage years, when they crossed paths in futsal, and highlighted how the manager’s style has evolved over the course of his career.

“Well, I’ve known Fernando Diniz since I was 13 years old. We played futsal together. When I left Corinthians here and went to play futsal at GM, he was already there, so we’ve had a friendship for more than almost 30 years. I think the style of play he has is a unique style, different from Brazilian football. Maybe he was — maybe not, definitely — the pioneer in this idea of building from the back, of confidence, of playing out from deep.”

Despite praising the approach, the former midfielder noted that the team needs to recognize situations in which it is necessary to abandon short build-up play.

“I think there are moments when he can do that and moments when he shouldn’t do that. He’s already made it very clear when he says: ‘No, I don’t force any of my players into that kind of situation. They are instructed that if there’s a problem, they can clear it long, switch the pressure and so on.’ But it’s difficult, because football is very much about repetition and he trains a lot like futsal. He came from futsal, so he has that repetition and it becomes automatic in the players. So it’s natural that, when building from the back, they’ll try to do what they trained during the week. They won’t move away from what was planned.”

“But I think this: if you have the possibility to do it and benefit from it, as he often does, I think it’s valid — but there needs to be an understanding of, ‘Oops, now I can’t do it, now I’m going to do something different.’ And I think over the course of his career, since he first emerged at Votoraty, then came Audax and all the teams he’s been at, he adapted, understood, and I think here at Corinthians is his maturing phase, his test, because when he takes over, he goes, I think, nine or ten games without losing, without conceding a goal, and he adapts to that knowing the difficulties. That really is an advantage Diniz has been showing at Corinthians, not just the attacking style, but a guy who, in 13 games, conceded no goals. His style seems to be improving even more, and Corinthians opened those doors for him.”

Former midfielder believes Corinthians can be competitive this season

Asked about the outlook for the rest of 2026, Zé Elias showed confidence in Corinthians’ ability to compete, especially in knockout tournaments. At the same time, he mentioned the squad’s limitations as a bigger obstacle in a long competition such as the Brasileirão.

“I think Corinthians have what it takes to compete, right? Of course there will come a certain point, in certain matches, against some teams, when substitutions become an issue, and that can change Corinthians’ way of playing a little. But in the Brazilian Championship, it’s a bit harder, because you have round after round, a long competition, home and away, travel.”

“When it’s a knockout tournament, you play 180 minutes. Fernando Diniz himself said it, right? ‘We got it wrong against Inter, the spirit, the way of playing, and we ended up paying for it.’ So I think Corinthians, little by little, keep changing, keep adapting to the difficulties. Corinthians have always had that as a trait. Ever since the time when I played here, it was always like that. And Corinthians have something few teams have, which is their fans. That ends up making the team, especially, step out of its comfort zone and play a little beyond what we expect, very much because of the support of the supporters.”

SAFiel and Corinthians’ financial crisis

The club’s administrative situation also came up in the conversation. When asked by a fan about SAFiel and possible ways to solve Corinthians’ debts, Zé Elias described the project as an interesting alternative, although he believes some adjustments are needed.

“I think SAFiel can make some adjustments, no doubt about it. I think it’s a nice project, good ideas, but with some adjustments. But before SAFiel, we have to solve the problems we have right now. I think that’s the most important thing. I see a lot of people talking about intervention, intervention. I’ve been asking for that for a long time, not just now.”

“Those who follow my work on ESPN know that I’ve already said Corinthians needed a move like that, back when it happened at Cruzeiro. At that moment, I had already asked for it. Because we know that, unfortunately, the ones who suffer, who pay and who keep paying are the supporters. So the club… We have a saying in the dressing room: the executive leaves, the coach leaves, the players leave, and the club remains. So many of the people who did what they did to the club didn’t think about what they were doing. They played to the crowd and, unfortunately, harmed things and ended up leaving Corinthians in this situation. But I think SAFiel is one of the good ideas we have to settle these debts that are so hard to settle.”

Bidon, Raniele and identifying with Zé Elias’ style

When comparing himself with players in the current squad, Zé Elias mentioned José Martínez, who left Corinthians, as someone he identified with because of the way he competes. Among the players still at the club, he highlighted Breno Bidon.

“There was one, but he messed up and was sent away, which was Martínez. He was the one who fought. I think I saw a lot of myself in him — fighting, battling until the end, creating that chaos, that Corinthians spirit. The way of being, of representing the supporters on the pitch. I really like Bidon. I think because he’s left-footed, I identify a lot with him. And he’s in a very good process of development, as I say. He needs to understand some things, and then each coach will show him what needs to be done so he can improve even more. But I think he’s the one I’m closest to.”

When reminded about Raniele, the former midfielder also praised the No. 14.

“But, you know, I thought a lot about Martínez because of the spirit, the fight, the chaos. Whoever watched me play knows I was a bit like that. So it was more in that sense. And the fact of the left foot. But I think Raniele is one of the main players in this squad. In the match now against Rosario Central, he, Gustavo and Gabriel were sensational. He’s a very good player.”

“In fact, I already told him that once. I ran into him in Rio de Janeiro and congratulated him on the work he had been doing, because it’s sensational. From that group that came from Cuiabá, he was the only one who stayed. And Raniele is a guy who, if he has to leave bleeding, with his shirt covered in grass stains, he’ll definitely do it.”

Zé Elias analyzes Memphis’ future from two perspectives

One of the main topics of the conversation was Memphis Depay. Zé Elias split his opinion between his desire as a supporter and his financial assessment as a commentator. Although he highlighted the Dutchman’s footballing quality, he also showed concern about the weight of the contract given Corinthians’ debts.

“There are two perspectives. My perspective as a supporter. Of course I’d like Memphis at Corinthians. Who wouldn’t? He’s a good player, a player who brings quality to the team, who gives confidence to some players. As a supporter, I’d like him to stay.Now, within my role as a commentator, I have to look at the bigger picture. Corinthians currently owe 3 billion. It recently came out that Corinthians owe 240 million just to agents. Besides the agents, which wasn’t included.

You also still have former players who haven’t charged Corinthians because they like Corinthians. That’s also going to be a lot of money. And then you have to add it all up. The numbers are there. It’s 150 million over two years. Just with one clause that, if Corinthians are late with an installment, he can take the 150 million and leave. With interest, with a number of other things. So what would be 70 or 90 — you do the math — becomes much bigger.”

He then linked the discussion to the delays faced by the squad and questioned how sustainable this scenario is.

“And I think it’s time for Corinthians to start taking responsibility and get rid of the debts. Because we were talking and I told you that the ones paying for all this are the supporters. The supporter who goes to the stadium, the supporter who buys the ticket, who cheers — he’s the one who pays, with suffering, with everything we’re seeing. And in my view, I think it’s very expensive for the situation Corinthians are in.”

“I was a football player for 26 years. Corinthians owe salaries to the players. So how are you going to talk to a player? He’ll say: ‘Look, Guilherme, your salary is late, we’re going to negotiate and in two months, one month, we’ll sort it out,’ and then you negotiate and sign a 150 million contract. I don’t know if you remember, but Hugo, 20 days ago, said that this issue of late salaries is hurting us, we need a little more confidence. So there are a number of factors together that create a very difficult and complicated situation. Osmar’s mistake was letting the situation get as far as it did. I think he should have spoken first with Memphis, like: ‘Look, Memphis, this and this and this,’ and then with the supporters. That’s the big problem.”

Late payments can affect confidence inside the dressing room

His experience as a player also served as the basis for Zé Elias to explain how wage differences and delayed payments are received by the squad. For him, the issue is not what another player earns, but the failure to fulfill what was individually agreed.

“Those who follow me know I’m very sincere and direct in what I say. The player isn’t too worried about how much he’s earning, how much you’re earning or not. What matters is that mine drops on the 30th day. You understand? From the moment that doesn’t happen, you start creating bad situations, you start creating demands, expectations, because Memphis, Yuri or any Corinthians player who signed a contract asked for it. If Corinthians agreed to it, it’s not their problem. If Corinthians can’t pay what was agreed, it’s not the player’s problem, you understand? Because there was a mutual agreement for that contract to be signed.”

“And that’s bad, like I told you, it’s bad, because you get to the dressing room, maybe you won’t be upset — actually, for sure you won’t fight with the player, because it’s not his fault. But the executive will lose credibility, he’ll be… He’ll walk into the dressing room, nobody will believe him, he’ll lose respect, and then you lose the group. That’s why I said there are many things that happen behind the scenes that supporters often don’t understand how they work. And it’s one of those things… It’s like a snowball. It starts very small, very small, very small, and when you see it, it becomes an avalanche and you lose everything.”

Corinthians players with potential for the Brazil national team

Zé Elias was also asked about Corinthians players who could earn opportunities with the Brazil national team. Breno Bidon was one of the first names he mentioned.

“Let’s wait and see. Ancelotti already said it’s going to be a new national team. I think Bidon has a great chance. I don’t know Bidu’s age, I apologize, because there are so many players and I don’t know his age. How old is Bidu? But he should have a chance, for sure.”

Then, broadening the analysis, the commentator included Matheus Bidu and Matheuzinho among the names with call-up potential.

“Does Corinthians currently have players who can be selected? First, we need to understand how Ancelotti is going to set up the Brazil team. Because if he wants to build a European-style team, like he did at the World Cup, some players may be called up and others may not. I think Bidu, Matheuzinho and Bidon are good players and have chances of playing for the Brazil national team.”

“Because here in Brazil we have a lot of problems with full-backs. We don’t have a right-back, we don’t have a fixed left-back. You used to be able to say, ‘This one is going to the national team,’ like in the past. And other positions too. The versatility Bidon has been showing, that he can play as a second defensive midfielder, can play wide, on the right side, to cut inside on his stronger foot. So there’s a lot of potential there. Raniele himself has had good campaigns. Then we need to see what Ancelotti’s intention will be, whether he’s really going to build a European team or a team closer to what we used to be in the past.”

Futsal background and early days at Corinthians

A child of Terrão, Zé Elias also went back to his roots during the interview. The former midfielder said he started at Corinthians as a child and explained the influence futsal had on the way he came to understand the game.

“It was very important. I joined Corinthians here on August 22, 1982. It was my first futsal match. Paineiras do Morumbi and Corinthians. And then I grew up, I stayed here playing futsal until I was 14. After that I went to play futsal elsewhere, but field football from the age of 12 here at the club.”

“I was lucky enough to play futsal and football at the same time. So that helped me a lot. Futsal gives us peripheral vision, so you observe the field and can see tactical issues and the possible plays you have. There’s the technical side, with the ball always glued to your foot, because you’re under pressure all the time, so you have to protect it so you don’t lose it. And there’s the body aspect. You’re able to protect yourself from challenges, you can anticipate how the opponent is coming to try to win the ball.”

“So you use your body, you see other plays that make this issue in field football much easier. When I started playing, it was different from today. Today you have the coach telling the player exactly what to do, the movements. When I played, in my time, the coach positioned you and then, on the pitch, you had to find the diagonal, had to find the positioning so you could play a good match. Because football is very much about positioning. So I think futsal gave me that.”

His bond with Corinthians began at home

To wrap up, Zé Elias recalled how he learned, still as a child, the full meaning of Corinthians. The former player mentioned the influence of his mother, a die-hard Corinthians fan, and told stories that marked his development even before reaching the professional level.

“I understood it. Today maybe not as much, but I understood it because I have a mother who is a die-hard Corinthians fan. So when I played my first Corinthians-Palmeiras match, she called my aunt, who is a Palmeiras fan, and said: ‘Who are you going to support?’. Then my aunt said: ‘I’m going to support my nephew playing well, but for Palmeiras to win.’ And then she hung up the phone and they didn’t speak for almost a year. So I lived that rivalry, I knew what it was.”

“My mother… I used to train, leave home at six in the morning and come back at midnight, half past midnight. One day I came back earlier and saw my mother crying. My mother was crying, ironing clothes. I said: ‘Mom, for the love of God.’ I hadn’t seen my brother. My brother had gone to training. I said: ‘What happened? Did something happen to Rubinho and all that?’. She said: ‘No, Neto left Corinthians and all that.’ So that’s how it was, she was fanatical. I had that fanaticism at home. And it was impossible not to understand what Corinthians is.”

“I came here when I was four years old. I experienced everything I could, building experiences inside the club. I understood what it meant to represent Corinthians, I knew how difficult it was. And when I started playing, we used to stay at Hotel São Rafael, there at Largo do Arouche. So we’d come, pass under Minhocão, go around. So when we left the hotel until we reached the stadium, that crowd of people, Corinthians supporters arriving at the stadium, there’s no way you don’t understand what it is, there’s no way you don’t know what it is to be Corinthians. I tried to do that on the pitch, tried to show everyone that I had a lot of respect for the shirt and for the club’s history.”

Zé Elias’ spell with Corinthians’ first team ended in August 1996. In addition to 161 matches and two goals for the club, the former defensive midfielder built an international career and also represented the Brazil national team before retiring as a player and moving into commentary.

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