Real Madrid draw up three-stage plan to fast-track JJ Gabriel into first team as Man Utd exit looms
Real Madrid could reportedly put a three-year plan into action to fast-track JJ Gabriel into Jose Mourinho’s side.
Sixteen-year-old Gabriel is close to finalising a move to Los Blancos after his representatives demanded that Manchester United cancel his registration back in September.
Since then, the teenager has been training in Spain and has not been to United’s academy or training ground. His representatives have held talks with several clubs, including Real’s arch-rivals Barcelona, but it appears the Madrid club will acquire his signature.
READ NEXT: JJ Gabriel makes final decision on next club as Man Utd starlet set to quit Premier League
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Gabriel is expected to complete his move and join his Real teammates in January after securing a European passport, making it easier for him to sign for a European club.
Despite Real Madrid’s appeal, fans have voiced concerns about Los Blancos often failing to map out a path to the first team for academy prospects, with Brazilian Endrick the latest starlet to have failed to nail down a spot in Real’s side despite the hype around him.
Real Madrid tipped to use three-stage JJ Gabriel plan
However, Jose Mourinho and co may use a clever plan to gradually allow Gabriel to gain first-team experience without actually playing for the La Liga giants’ senior side.
Speaking to talkSPORT, European football expert Andy Brassell broke down how Real could use a three-step plan: loaning the teenager to a Segunda (second division) team, then a mid-to-lower-table La Liga side, and finally to a European side such as Como.
Brassell said: "Really what you're looking for, though, is a career plan - just because he's going to Real Madrid... if he does go to Real Madrid. I mean, it doesn't mean he won't get minutes. It just means he won't get minutes for Real Madrid.
"I think if they've got a plan, say year 1: 'You play for a team in the Segunda [second division], year two, we'll loan you out to Getafe or Levante, and year three you go to Como', maybe that's acceptable?
"I know there's been a lot written about his dad, but I think we can make a lot of assumptions.
"I don't think anyone could reasonably expect he'll go to Real Madrid and get minutes. It's just not realistic."
Gabriel faces competition at Madrid from Vinicius Junior, Yan Diamonde, Carlos Espi and Endrick, who are arguably ahead of him in the pecking order.
Endrick’s path may act as a blueprint for Gabriel, with the 20-year-old having been loaned to Lyon last term, where he scored five goals in 16 league appearances.
Brassell added: “If Endrick, who has everything to be a superstar - the talent, the attitude, the application, the communication skills, of course, he has made a few impacts recently, but I think he's going to want more and more game time if he's not to agitate for a move or at least a temporary move away in January.
"But to me, that's got to be part of the plan for JJ Gabriel. If they're looking to take him there, Real Madrid will have a plan.
"A big part of their development of players includes using them at other clubs. You do look at those relationships that they have with other clubs.
"So, to see him maybe have a year at Castilla, which is not top-division first-team football, it's first-team football of sorts, and then you put him in a Getafe-type situation.
"We've talked about Como before; we know they've got a good relationship with Real Madrid in terms of [Nico] Paz and Jacobo [Ramón] and players like that.
"I think there can be a plan for him, but I think the headline shouldn't really distract from what that plan should be.
"I guess, just like if a big club is loaning a player to a smaller club, the bigger club needs a plan on how that player is going to be developed.
"And whatever has been said about JJ Gabriel's entourage and his father and whoever else might be in the decision-making process, and there will be loads, obviously, because A, he's big business and B, he is a child.
"I think if they're doing the right thing for him, they will be looking to be taken through that plan for how he's going to get into first-team football in forensic detail.”
Topics: Real Madrid, La Liga, Jose Mourinho
Luke Davies
