Abel dodges signings talk, on Weverton: Palmeiras did what’s best | OneFootball

Coach Abel Ferreira avoided commenting on Palmeiras' activities in the market. After the classic match against Santos, the coach was asked about Verdão's possible interest in attacking midfielder Thiago Almada from Atlético de Madrid and forward Jhon Arias, currently at Wolverhampton. However, the Portuguese coach dodged the question and preferred to highlight the club's youth academy.

“Good question [about which of them would fit better in the club], but it will remain unanswered. You have every right to ask what you want, I acknowledge that. Sometimes, I want to answer from the heart, but I have to answer with my head. Palmeiras is a club always attentive to everything that is happening. I am very happy with the players who are here, and also with those from the academy, as was the case with Luis [Pacheco]. We value what we have done. A great performance, a player with a lot of potential. Not just today, but since Sporting, an excellent job by Castanheira with the academy. It gives immense pleasure and a great sense of satisfaction to build careers in football,” said Abel.

Abel also took the opportunity during the press conference to discuss the departure of goalkeeper Weverton. The goalkeeper bid farewell to the club after eight seasons and is close to joining Grêmio. According to the coach, the possibility of the player leaving Verdão had already been discussed behind the scenes.

“Regarding Weverton, to specifically talk about what happened, our president was very clear. I don't have much to say. He was our leader, one of the players I relied on. On the last day, I spoke with him. I have a very close relationship, full of admiration, respect, and gratitude. If you ask me, we have three excellent goalkeepers, all three were fighting for the starting position, but when a leader and a reference, one of the best goalkeepers in Palmeiras' history, comes to talk to me, all I can say is that my role within the club is to value and develop. Leila and Barros take care of the rest. I am not a director or president. The club proceeded in the way it thought was best,” explained the Portuguese coach, who wished the best for the goalkeeper's future – except against Verdão.

“I think our president was very clear about everything that happened. Just to repeat and reinforce. […] Happy for him, sad to see a player with whom I have a very good relationship leave, I watched his children grow up. But life goes on and waits for no one. I wish him all the best for the future, except when playing against Palmeiras [laughs],” he concluded.

Squad Injuries

Palmeiras might have a new headache for the rest of the season. Midfielder Andreas Pereira fell awkwardly after a foul and injured his left shoulder, being substituted in the first half of Wednesday's classic against Santos, which they won 1-0. The player is expected to undergo tests to understand the extent of the problem, but he already concerns coach Abel Ferreira.

The Palmeiras medical department already has six other players: Paulinho (surgery on the right leg), Jefté (thigh edema on the right), Felipe Anderson (right ankle sprain), Facundo Torres (muscle injury in the left thigh), Lucas Evangelista, and Figueiredo (physical transition). Abel lamented the situation but highlighted the importance of young players from the academy for moments like this.

“Regarding the injuries, if it continues at this pace, by the time we reach the championship football, I'll have half the team injured. That's not what we wanted, but football has things we can't control. Last year, we didn't have Paulinho all year. We wanted him to help us, but unfortunately, he's still not in condition. We will continue to work. It's not easy being at a club with the demands of Palmeiras, having to bet on young players and fight for titles. If you look at the best clubs in Europe, the players are developed in other clubs and then bought. The coach has little to train, to guide. He doesn't have to worry about the rest,” said Abel.

“Here, we have a significant job in this. We have achieved a great balance in the club's finances, the appreciation of the players, and our work. I am very happy with their personality and the performance of the more experienced players. It's not easy. A five-day preseason and now playing for points. It's all very nice, but when we don't win… If we win, we all win, if we lose, the coach is the one who doesn't make the team play well. The responsibility is not just one person's, it's everyone's,” concluded the coach.

https://twitter.com/Palmeiras/status/2011616952649932882?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

"Upcoming Palmeiras MatchesPalmeiras vs. Mirassol (third round of the Paulista Championship)Date and time: 01/17 (Saturday), at 8:30 PM (Brasília time)Location: Arena Barueri, in Barueri (SP)Novorizontino vs. Palmeiras (fourth round of the Paulista Championship)Date and time: 01/20 (Tuesday), at 8:00 PM (Brasília time)Location: Dr. Jorge Ismael de Biasi Stadium, in Novo Horizonte (SP)

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