Let us know about Metinho

Two youngsters from Brazil are emerging as the hotcake for the top European Clubs. Real Madrid, Liverpool and Manchester City have targeted 17-year old forward Kayky and midfielder Metinho, who is currently playing for Fluminense. At the moment, Manchester City have won the race for signing the emerging gems.

Reports suggested, CFG have agreed to an initial €15m deal [potentially rising to €30m+ in bonuses] with Fluminense for Kayky and Metinho – the players will not leave Brazil until 2022. Fluminense are entitled to a percentage of future sales for each player.

The spotlight might be more on the versatility of Kayky, but the creative force at the centre of the park of Metinho impressed Pep Guardiola very much.

Metinho was born in Matadi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, but moved to Brazil aged one, after his father, Abel, fled the country following religious persecution.

After settling in the Cinco Bocas favela in Brás de Pina, a neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro, Abel came up with the name ‘Metinho’ for his son, taking the diminutive form of his real name, Meto - a common tradition in Brazil.

Metinho progressed through the youth sides of Madureira, before going on trial with Vasco da Gama. He was offered a contract, but changed his mind before finalising the deal, determined that he would wait for Fluminense to make an offer.

He joined the Tricolor and moved from the favela into a house owned by then-teammate Joao Pedro.

He currently captains the under-17 team of Fluminense, and also plays for the club's under-20 side.

Metinho made his professional debut in March 2021, coming on as a substitute for Rafael Ribeiro in a 3–0 loss to Portuguesa-RJ.

Metinho became a naturalized Brazilian citizen in 2019.

In November 2020, despite not having represented Brazil at any youth level, Metinho was called up to train with the senior squad, alongside teammate Luis Henrique.

He remains eligible to represent the country of his birth, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Right now the 17-year old would don the Blue shirt of Manchester City along with his teammate Kayky.

The Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt is likely to attract some criticism for sanctioning these deals. The pair are considered two of the hottest properties in Brazil and perhaps should be commanding higher transfer fees.

Fellow Fluminense prospect Marcos Paulo is also likely to be let go for well below his value, with Atletico Madrid close to securing a free transfer for the striker. He is set to link up with his new teammates at the beginning of next season.

Metinho grew up watching Paul Pogba and the World Champion is his role model.

Some supporters even call him “Pogbinha.”

Even though he is regarded as a holding midfielder but the boy is a creative force in the midfield.

Metinho is a player with a good body mass ratio, physical strength, power, stamina and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact and pressure situations - a great mix of midfield controller and ball-winning midfielder. He functions best when placed at the base of a midfield three as a holding midfielder – nevertheless, he is able to pull the strings from the deep and dictate the rhythm of the game.

The boy is an intelligent and charismatic midfielder gifted with good ball skills, mobility, distribution, vision and likes to play short passes - provides crucial key interceptions, clearances, and tackles for his team thanks to his very good anticipation sense and defensive reliability.

Great recruitment by Manchester City.

Note: This article has been posted at Cricketsoccer as CSdesk on 13/04/2021 Let us know about Metinho

Thank You

Faisal Caesar