Fernando Diniz on Corinthians' window, Allan and World Cup break | OneFootball

Head coach Fernando Diniz also used the post-match press conference after Corinthians’ 1-0 win over Atlético-MG to comment on squad planning, possible moves in the transfer window, the development of some players in the group, and the break period for the World Cup.

Asked about the next transfer window and the transfer ban involving the club, Diniz said Corinthians’ main priority will be to keep the core of the current squad together.

Photo: Agência Corinthians

“Our biggest win in this transfer window will be keeping the team together and, if we do sign players, we’ll sign only a few. We have a very good squad and even more players than we need. And one very striking feature of my work is the low injury rate. Today, for example, we don’t have anyone in the medical department, so everyone is available. Today, there were five players we couldn’t include in the matchday squad. So, the biggest gain from our transfer window will be keeping the team together, with the possibility of one or two signings. I only just found out about the transfer ban issue, but I also think it’s something we’ll end up resolving going forward.”

Fernando Diniz also had high praise for defensive midfielder Allan, reinforcing his confidence in the player and recalling previous work they had done together.

“Allan is a player I know well, actually. He worked with me in 2019, coming from Liverpool—he had spent a season in Germany and came from Liverpool. But he was a young player then, a prospect, and he did very well with me in 2019, and that made it easier for him to go to Atlético Mineiro. He also did very well at Atlético. You’ll remember he was being considered for the Brazilian national team at that time. Then at Flamengo, things didn’t happen for him the way he expected, and that creates a bit of an uproar, because when a player doesn’t manage to establish himself somewhere, people start to wonder whether Allan might somehow not be the great player he is. He is a great player. He’s a player with a lot of technical quality, very good physical ability, he likes to play, likes having the ball, has a long pass, knows how to move the ball like few holding midfielders wearing the No. 5 shirt—not just here in Brazil, but in the world. He contributes a lot to building from the back, helps a lot in unlocking games, and he was a great signing. I even tried to take Allan to Vasco, but with the competition he ended up coming to Corinthians. So, it’s very good for us to have Allan here.”

After that, the coach also highlighted the potential of forward André Luiz and projected a bright future for the young player.

“And André, whom you mentioned as well—André is a rough diamond. He’s a player with very good technical quality and outstanding physical ability. I’ve said more than once that it’s only a matter of time before André picks up some of the things he still lacks so he can go on to have a highly prestigious career in Europe.”

Diniz also commented on the possibility of using Memphis Depay, Jesse Lingard, and Yuri Alberto together in attack.

“It’s a possibility, but it’s something we’ll see more clearly further ahead, because we still have one more game and Memphis will already report for the World Cup after the Platense match—I think that’s his schedule.

And in two more games we’ll also stop for the break, during this period when we’ll be without matches. But it’s always a possibility. Tactical variations are always possibilities, and we’ll try to fit the best players together so Corinthians has a better chance of winning games.”

The coach also revealed that he has already spoken directly with Memphis about a possible contract renewal.

“I’ve already spoken with Memphis more than once. Obviously, I don’t have the final say in the decision, but I made it clear to him—and he knows this—that he is the type of player who… I believe the way I see football fits very well with what he has to offer. So, if we can work together for longer, it will be a great joy for me.”

With the World Cup break in mind, Fernando Diniz explained which points he intends to work on with the squad during the period without official matches.

“I think we have to attack on all fronts. I think that, with the time we’ll have afterward when we come back, we can give the players better physical, technical, and tactical conditions according to what I believe is best for football. We haven’t had even one full week free to work. We were always recovering players and adjusting the tactical side… and I’m always training. That’s a trait I have that’s different from most coaches: with all the time I have, I try to train something. Both on video and on the pitch. Sometimes I even bring a little more wear and tear into the match, but I prefer a team that is a little more tired and better organized than a team that is rested and tactically disorganized. So, I’m going to work on all fronts. This period will be very good. I believe we’ll know how to make the most of it.”

Finally, the coach commented on the mark of 19 unbeaten matches in the Libertadores and said that numbers are not his main motivation in his career.

“I don’t pay much attention to those things. I have very little access to the internet, but I do feel very happy to be able to break that record. But that’s not what motivates me. What motivates me is doing my best every day and having that daily best produce good consequences like this, bringing titles and things like that. I lead a very simple life in the way I look at things. I think I’m someone who played football for many years in order to learn how to be a coach. I’ve said that more than once. So, my joy is being able to offer my best so that football can be a vehicle to change the lives of the players, those who play, and the people who watch. So, the things that come from that, when they happen in a positive way, are a plus, an added joy. But the main joy is this vocation I have, this love I have for doing what I do,” he concluded.

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