Flamengo set academy focus for World Cup break under Leonardo Jardim | OneFootball

Flamengo will prioritise their academy during the World Cup break, with Leonardo Jardim set to assess youth prospects who could be promoted in the second half of the year.

According to Coluna Do Fla, the football calendar pauses on 31 May, and the club plan to use that window to focus on their youth ranks.

Jardim is known for developing talent but has not yet handed many minutes to Flamengo’s youngsters. The hiatus offers him time to run tests and evaluations.

He may also turn to the academy to cover potential World Cup call-ups, with 12 Flamengo players named on preliminary lists for Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador.

Brazil’s provisional squad includes Danilo, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz, Alex Sandro, Paquetá, Pedro and Lino. Uruguay have Arrascaeta, De La Cruz and Varela, while Colombia track Carrascal and Ecuador list Gonzalo Plata.

Next up, Flamengo visit Vitória on Thursday 14 at 21:30 Brasília time at Barradão for the second leg of the Copa do Brasil fifth phase.

Their final match before the pause is against Coritiba on 30 May at 16:00 Brasília time at the Maracanã, in round 18 of the Brasileirão.

Source: Coluna Do Fla