Joe Cole ‘concerned’ by JJ Gabriel’s unusual decision as Steven Gerrard issues major warning to wantaway Man Utd star

Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard have raised major concerns about JJ Gabriel after the 15-year-old asked Manchester United to terminate his registration earlier this week.

Gabriel, nicknamed ‘Kid Messi’, told United of his intention to leave earlier this week, with reports claiming his representatives are unhappy with the club as they feel let down, believing promises of a pathway to the first team had not been kept.

Since then, Gabriel has travelled to Barcelona, where his team have engaged in talks with the Catalan club, while Real Madrid remain keen.

The teenager cannot sign a professional contract under Premier League rules until his 17th birthday on October 6, 2027, and must wait until the same date this year before putting pen to paper on a scholarship.

Of course, such attention surrounding a 15-year-old academy star is unusual. On Saturday (September 19), former Chelsea and England midfielder Cole raised major concerns over a rare decision the youngster has already made.

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Speaking to Gerrard live on TNT Sports, Cole said: “The fact he’s had his name changed, for brand reasons… that’s one thing. Him and a lot of other boys have been taken out of school.

“You have to be a kid first and a footballer afterwards. The whole situation has left a sour taste in the mouth of the people at Manchester United.”

Despite being known as JJ Gabriel, the teenager’s real name is Joseph Junior Andreou Gabriel.

He continued: “They want to guide this kid, but one thing I would say, having watched him on a few occasions, is that he’s super talented.

“I remember the noise before I made my debut. My journey was unusual in the sense that when you make your debut, you’re 15, 16 or 17.

“The crowd are happy as one of their own is on the pitch. But when JJ Gabriel eventually makes his debut, at whatever club, there’s going to be huge pressure on him now.”

Steven Gerrard 'scared' by JJ Gabriel saga

Gerrard also voiced his concerns, admitting that it “scares” him to see young players being rushed into decisions.

The former Liverpool captain said: "It's not just in this situation. Broadly, it scares me in the game that kids can now be rushed and careers can be forced.

“I don’t know the details and the background in this isolated situation with JJ Gabriel but if you look at it all, he’s at one of the biggest clubs in the world. They’ve got a history and a tradition of producing fantastic players.

“There will be top people behind the scenes at Manchester United but the big thing for me is, you’ve got an English coach [Michael Carrick] and an English assistant manager [Steve Holland] who will want to, when the time is right, and when they think he’s ready, protect him… but when they feel he’s ready they will play him.

“Not just this situation, the game as a whole, these talents, they have parents, they have agents, outside influences that force and rush too soon, and it can affect a kid’s career.

“It is going to add huge pressure and also if you’re another club looking into this situation you’re thinking to yourself, ‘yeah the kid is a big talent’, but do you want the baggage and the noise around it?

“Let’s use Jose Mourinho for example at Real Madrid. Even if he goes to Real Madrid now, is Jose Mourinho going to play this kid straight away, is he going to be forced to push him? You know what these elite managers are like, they play kids when they are ready to contribute to the team.

“In my opinion they need to look after the kid’s health and his care, but Manchester United can give him that, they’ve got a history of doing that. I don’t see the rush, I don’t see the panic.

“I don’t know what’s been said or promised behind the scenes but from the outside this stinks to me that someone is pushing, forcing and rushing it. And I don’t think it’s going to help the kid in any way, shape or form.

“As a say, I’m a big rival of Manchester United, but I’ve watched Manchester United from afar, there’s top coaches there, top people. I know Michael Carrick very well and, if this kid was ready, he’d be getting played.”

Steven Gerrard spoke out about JJ Gabriel (Credit:GettyImages)

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United have reportedly rejected Gabriel’s registration termination request.

All three parties – the club, the player and the player’s parent or carer – must agree before a child’s registration period is cancelled.

Rules state: “If the parties don’t agree, then any person involved can also ask the Premier League to provide a binding decision on a termination request.”

If United retain his registration, Gabriel will be blocked from signing for another English club until at least the end of the season. However, he may circumvent the rules by obtaining an EU/Irish passport, which would allow him to sign for an EU-based club, such as Barcelona or Real Madrid.