Plata handed fresh start at Flamengo as Jardim reopens door before July window | OneFootball

Plata has been handed a fresh start at Flamengo after criticism, with Leonardo Jardim restoring him as an option as he aims to rebuild his status before the mid-year window.

According to Globo.com, he made his first start under the Portuguese coach and completed 90 minutes in the win over Cusco. Previously he was used three times late in games, stayed on the bench three times, and was left out against Corinthians.

Jardim acknowledged in a news conference that the forward had struggled to integrate. Team-mates also confronted him over errors, the group were unhappy with some behaviour, and the Ecuadorian accepted the issues.

Flamengo believe he is increasingly integrated and Jardim counts on him. The coach values his intensity, which helped him start the Libertadores opener. Under Filipe Luís he was sometimes used as a centre-forward, but Jardim does not plan that setup for now.

His situation remains open for the mid-year window. The board view him as negotiable, despite publicly saying there is no intention to transfer, and expect his value to rise after the World Cup. Any proposal will be assessed if and when it arrives.

Amid this, and a possible departure for Everton Cebolinha, who at this moment is not renewing his contract, Flamengo are mapping the market. Plata has featured in 77 matches, 50 starts and 27 as a substitute, with eight goals and 11 assists. The window opens in July.

Source: Globo.com