Joshua on Jardim’s main demand at Flamengo: “He unearthed Mbappé” | OneFootball

Joshua got minutes against River Plate (ARG) this Friday (03)

Flamengo drew 2-2 with River Plate (ARG) this Friday (03) in a friendly played in the Algarve, Portugal, during Flamengo’s mid-season break. One of the youngsters used by coach Leonardo Jardim was Caio Joshua, who came on in the 32nd minute of the second half and, after the match, detailed the lessons he has been receiving from the Portuguese manager.

— The Mister helps me a lot with playing without the ball, because with the ball a lot of people already know my ability, my talent. He always asks me to play without the ball, because to play at a big level, a high level, like here at Flamengo, in the Brasileirão, Libertadores, Copa do Brasil, we also have to play without the ball —, Joshua began.

— A player has to learn how to play without the ball, so he pushes me a lot, helps me, guides me. With the ball, he tells me to enjoy myself, to do what I already know how to do best. I have to thank him for that, for helping me, for developing me. I’m very happy and I hope to keep improving —, added the forward, answering a question from Rock Hudson of Coluna do Fla.

WHAT DID THE COACH TELL THE ACADEMY PLAYERS?

Besides the individual guidance, Joshua said Leonardo Jardim spoke with the academy graduates during the mid-season break. The midfielder recalled the coach’s track record of developing talent and said the young players need to be ready to take their chances.

— I already knew him from Cruzeiro, from Monaco. He has huge experience and knows academy players very well. And he sees it in training, right? His eye is very good. Because he brought through Mbappé, Bernardo Silva, among other players. We have to be ready for every opportunity and show our football, which is what we know how to do best, and make the most of every opportunity —, Joshua pointed out.

HOW IS THE INTEGRATION BETWEEN THE ACADEMY AND THE FIRST TEAM?

During the camp in Portugal, first-team players and youngsters from the academy have been training together. For Joshua, the environment has been positive and makes it easier for players to adapt when they get opportunities under Leonardo Jardim.

— We’ve been getting along very well. The first-team players already know us, because many of the academy players who are here have already been promoted to the first team, already made our debuts, already scored goals. We’re making the most of the opportunities. The Mister knows us well, the whole group, the whole squad. Now it’s about making the most of it, enjoying every moment, because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring day to day. We have to be ready, prepared for every opportunity —, celebrated the academy product.

HOW DID JOSHUA REACT AFTER ANOTHER CHANCE?

Finally, the midfielder celebrated the chance to play for the senior team in the friendly against River Plate. Joshua thanked Leonardo Jardim for trusting his work and reiterated his desire to earn more consistent playing time so he can contribute even more to Flamengo.

— I’m very happy. I just have to thank God for another opportunity. For being able to do what I love. I also want to thank the Mister for trusting my work. I think I’ve been doing a lot in training and in matches. So he’s giving me opportunities. I hope to make the most of them, keep taking them, get more continuity and help our team more and more —, he concluded.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— Joshua is a kid with a lot of potential. Since Jardim said he will put the youngsters in the starting lineup on Wednesday against Lausanne of Switzerland, I hope the academy product can shine and ‘stamp’ his passport to remain with the first team —, said Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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