Barcelona sporting director Deco has been quizzed on Estevao Willian and why the club didn’t bring the Brazilian to Camp Nou.
The Catalan giants were heavily linked with a move for the teenager, who had
already made it clear he would love to play for Barcelona.
However, he ended up heading to the Premier League to sign for Chelsea instead, with Deco claiming there were a few reasons why Barca did not go for the youngster.
“There are several things. First, in the construction phase we are in, we have a player for the same position and with similar characteristics called Lamine Yamal. It’s obvious,” he told TNT Sports.
“Can they play together? Yes, great players always adapt. The problem is that our priorities were not to reinforce that position.
“If you have money to spend and you invest it in a player with the same characteristics, then you can’t complain that there is a lack of players for other positions.
“It’s a matter of time and timing for Barcelona, who had to make other decisions and this was not one of them.”
Deco went on further to say that it was not a decision about Estevao’s quality but purely about the profile of the player and how he would fit in at Camp Nou.
“Maybe if Estevao was a right-footed footballer who played on the other side, the solution would be there… but it was not the case. He is a player very similar to Lamine, although with different characteristics,” he said.
“He and Lamine are two great players, but, at the time, that wasn’t the decision. It has nothing to do with quality, but with Barça’s moment to strengthen themselves.”
Estevao’s agent has since said the 18-year-old is happy at Chelsea but still holds “special affection” for Barcelona.
