Former Athletic Membership supervisor Javier Clemente, one of the crucial revered figures in Spanish soccer and a two-time La Liga winner, has supplied his perspective on the continuing discussions surrounding Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal.
Talking in an interview with , Clemente touched on the current coach Luis de la Fuente, which erupted after the teenager’s groin concern prevented him from reporting for national-team responsibility.
Commercial
Earlier than addressing the dispute immediately, Clemente paused to acknowledge the difficult nature of club-versus-country debates.
He then shared his view, making it clear he believed the scenario had been unnecessarily exaggerated.
“I just like the Barça coach, I feel he’s an honest particular person, however I heard what Luis mentioned and I feel it was blown out of proportion. De la Fuente actually didn’t imply to offend him.”
Lamine Yamal’s rise
The dialog quickly shifted to Yamal himself, whose meteoric rise has made him each a footballing phenomenon and a public determine far sooner than most gamers his age.
A few of his off-field behaviour has attracted exterior scrutiny, and Clemente was requested what recommendation he would supply {the teenager}.
Commercial
Sustaining a agency stance on private accountability, he stored his reply brief and direct.
“I’m not going to present him any recommendation. Everybody does what they need with their life. The accountability lies with him, his entourage, his coach, and the membership.”
Clemente has defended Lamine Yamal. (Photograph by David Ramos/Getty Pictures)
Clemente additionally mentioned the broader panorama of La Liga and whether or not the title race would as soon as once more come all the way down to Barcelona and Actual Madrid.
“It’s too early to say, though Madrid and Barça are at all times the 2 most important contenders for the title.
“Luis Aragones, who was not solely a pal of mine but in addition a phenomenon, used to say – the primary half of the season is about being there, calm, with out speeding or stressing.
“The primary a part of the second half is about positioning your self, and within the final seven or eight video games, when you’re in place, it’s time to start out sprinting for the win, like cyclists.”
Ideas on Hansi Flick
Lastly, Clemente addressed the tactical path of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, significantly the insistence on sustaining an aggressive excessive line of defense.
Commercial
Relatively than criticising the German coach, he careworn the significance of respecting completely different managerial kinds.
“I’m not able to advise a coach with Flick’s observe report. It’s important to respect what he does. I respect everybody, particularly as a instructor on the Teaching College,” he concluded.