Real Madrid has a three-step plan to quickly bring JJ Gabriel into the first team as he likely leaves Man Utd.
Real Madrid is reportedly planning a three-year strategy to help young star JJ Gabriel join Jose Mourinho’s team quickly.
The 16-year-old is close to moving to Los Blancos after his agents asked Manchester United to cancel his registration last September. Since then, Gabriel has been training in Spain and hasn’t visited Manchester United’s academy or training ground. Though his representatives talked with several clubs, including Real’s rivals Barcelona, it looks like Real Madrid will sign him.
Gabriel is expected to finish his move and join his Real Madrid teammates in January once he gets a European passport, which will make it easier for him to sign with a European club.
Even though Real Madrid is interested, some fans worry because the club hasn’t always made clear paths for academy players to reach the first team. For example, Brazilian starlet Endrick struggled to secure a spot despite the high hopes around him.
But Mourinho and his team might have a smart plan to help Gabriel get first-team experience without immediately playing for Real Madrid’s main squad. European football expert Andy Brassell told talkSPORT that Real could take a step-by-step approach: first loaning Gabriel to a second-division team, then to a mid-level La Liga club, and eventually to a European club like Como.
Brassell explained, “What you really need is a career plan. Just because he’s going to Real Madrid—if he does—it doesn’t mean he’ll get playing time right away. Maybe in year one, he plays in the Segunda division; year two, on loan at Getafe or Levante; and in year three, he goes to Como. That could work.”
Gabriel will face tough competition at Real Madrid from players like Vinicius Junior, Yan Diamonde, Carlos Espi, and Endrick, who are further ahead in the lineup.
Endrick’s journey might be a model for Gabriel. Last season, Endrick was loaned to Lyon, where he scored five goals in 16 league games.
Brassell added, “Endrick has all the talent and attitude to be a superstar, but he’ll want more game time. If he doesn’t get it, he might want to move temporarily in January. The same kind of plan probably applies to JJ Gabriel. Real Madrid has to have a clear plan if they bring him in.”
He continued, “A big part of Real’s player development is loaning players to other clubs. For example, Gabriel could spend a year playing with Castilla, which is not the top division but still senior football. Then he might move to a club like Getafe, and later maybe to Como, since Real has good ties there.”
Brassell emphasized, “There’s a lot involved with JJ Gabriel’s situation, including his family and agents, but if Real is doing the right thing, they should have a detailed plan on how to get him into first-team football step by step.”