Portugal national team coach Jorge Jesus announced his first squad since taking the position and held a press conference. This is the third part of the press conference.

We've already discussed young players, and my colleague mentioned Flavio Goncalves and Rodrigo Mora. I understand you may be temporarily letting these players go to Luis Ferre. However, I'd like to ask about Messadiyah, a 16-year-old from Lens. Have you considered bringing him into Portugal's senior national team in the future? Also, I have a question about midfielders. Teams coached by Jorge Jesus typically use a number 6 in a 4-4-2 system, often a 4-4-2 diamond with a number 6 as a defensive midfielder, like William Carvalho and William Arao in the past. So can João Neves play in this position? Can João Neves and Vitinha play together, or will Palhinha get the starting role?

I can discuss the qualities of these players, but I won't tell you who will start. Otherwise, you'll know who plays before the players do.

What I can tell you is that these players have different qualities, and they were precisely selected because they fit my playing philosophy.

You're right. Typically, my teams have a deeper-lying midfielder, a more positionally disciplined midfielder. Players in this position need to have good understanding of both phases of the game—attack and defense.

Generally speaking, players in this role have significant tactical responsibility in my teams.

You mentioned Palhinha, but didn't mention Rúben Neves. Rúben Neves can play this position, and he does it very well. In recent years, he played this role under me at Al-Hilal. So to answer your question, this is part of the system's qualities and actual playing style.

If we're to discuss my philosophy, you first need to have a playing style. At the same time, you need to have a set of requirements for player types, and then you need to have another aspect—but that's not for now. That's the training methodology.

My question is: did you hesitate much in assembling your first squad? Did you reference the World Cup squad list, hoping to find answers there? How was the entire process?

Yes, both. I looked at the World Cup squad list. Portugal can't send two national teams of exactly the same level, right? Actually, Germany couldn't either, but Klopp did. He basically selected two full teams.

However, what I really want to say is that I looked at the abilities of the players Portugal currently has, including those who participated in the World Cup. At the same time, I also looked at those who didn't participate in the World Cup.

What I need to consider is: which other players can be included in the group we will select? Ultimately, we return to the original question: do these players' qualities align with the playing philosophy we want the national team to use? Basically, this is the thinking that guided me in assembling this list.

We've said many times there isn't much personnel change this time, but even players who remain in the national team, like Sousa Felix and Rafael Leão, may have different roles under your playing style. For these continuously selected players, does your playing style open up different opportunities or scope for their play? What can they add to Portugal? Also, what can players like Nuno Tavares or Samuel Sousa bring to Portugal's game?

This question can be linked to the previous one about young players, like Samuel.

Samuel is a 24-year-old goalkeeper, which is younger compared to many goalkeepers typically in the national team squad.

Aside from Diogo Costa, Rui Silva and José Sá are goalkeepers frequently called up to the national team. For this reason, we wanted to include a younger goalkeeper among our three goalkeeper options.

Regarding Rafael Leão and Sousa Felix, you made a good point. Sousa Felix has certain qualities that align very well with my playing philosophy. In my view, Sousa Felix is not a player who should play as a winger. At least in my opinion, that's not his strength. Of course, this doesn't mean that in some matches, depending on tactical adjustments, he couldn't appear in that position.

But Sousa Felix will always be a second striker and can also be a center forward. Actually, I believe over time Sousa Felix will increasingly become a center forward. I have no doubt about that. His finishing ability is very strong, and at the same time, his ability to find space and create opportunities in his area is excellent.

Regarding Rafael Leão, this is an interesting question because when I coached him, he never played as a winger. He was always a center forward. In fact, when I promoted him to Sporting CP's senior team in a match against Porto, I had him play as a center forward. He scored for Sporting CP in that match. This demonstrates the qualities of both these players and how I can position them in different roles according to their strengths.

I have two questions. You still call up Gonçalo Inácio, but it seems he's having some issues at Sporting CP right now. Also, Rafael Leão has only played about 100 minutes this season. What's your reason for still including them in the national team? My other question is: how did you spend your time in the first two or three months after becoming national team coach? You're working, but not really training a real team. I imagine this might be something you've never experienced in your coaching career. Also, have you spoken with Roberto Martínez, your predecessor, over these months?

No, I haven't spoken with my colleague Roberto Martínez so far. For this transition, it wasn't complicated for me at all.

Because our work is continuous training. Of course, at clubs, sometimes there might be two training sessions per day.

So I adapted easily. Every day now, I come to the federation each morning to continue working. My coaching staff and I have been preparing continuously. We brainstorm about various things and prepare for what we consider important—not just training, but also off-field matters.

As for my colleague, I've already commented on that. What was your other question?

Gonçalo Inácio

Yes, Inácio and Rafael Leão. I've already discussed Rafael Leão. I know him very well.

I don't need to see him play many matches. I just need him to be able to play. Because if he can't play at all, of course it would be difficult to include him in the national team.

For Gonçalo Inácio, I'm considering what he's done for the national team over the past few years and what he's done for his club over the past few years. You just said he's not in good form right now. That's your opinion.

My view is different. When I assess players, I look at their ability first. The fact that a player is in good form or not at any given time is quite normal during a season. Our call-ups are mostly based on players' natural ability.

But that's fine. If you think Gonçalo isn't playing well right now and you ask me why I still call him up, my answer is: because I believe in his ability, and I believe he can perform very well under me.

Read more:

Jesus: I treat all players equally; Ronaldo's playing time depends on current form

Jesus: I prefer a second striker over a third midfielder; Fabio's qualities are unique

แปลโดย AI

เว็บไซต์ AF เปิดตัวแล้ว! ดูข่าว ความคิดเห็น รายละเอียดแมตช์ และสถิติครบถ้วนบนคอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณ เยี่ยมชม: www.allfootballapp.com