In an interview to Mundo Deportivo, current PAOK and former Braga coach Abel Ferreira went deep into what kind of a player Francisco Trincao is. The 41-year-old claims that the 20-year-old is not a pure winger suggesting that he can be deployed in midfield.
"He is not a pure winger, he is not a player who plays every game close to the band. He likes to receive the ball on the right and move inside, he's left-footed. Francisco plays best between the lines.
"Don't expect Trincao to play wide on the field. He is a young player but he understands the game. You can play with a 4-4-2, 3-4-3, or 4-4-2 formation. The strong point of this player playing between the lines
"In a 4-3-3 he can play in the roles of Xavi or Andres Iniesta. In the centre of the field and between the lines. He is a player that occupies these spaces very well. He did it with me at team B of Braga and he continues doing it now."
Ferreira coached the 20-year-old at Barca as well as at the senior side. The Portuguese is sure that Trincao will flourish at Camp Nou if he is given a proper chance.
"It will depend on the players in his position. It just depends on this. I mean, the fact that, at his age, he needs opportunities. Especially in teams like Barcelona.
"In a team where Leo Messi, Antoine Griezmann, Frenkie de Jong play...Maybe he needs some more time to have the opportunity, but if he does the pre-season with the first team, it will be a great surprise for everyone."
In total, the 20-year-old has now scored seven goals and provided three assists in his last 11 league games for Braga. Barcelona signed the Portuguese for €31m back in January. He will join us ahead of the next season.
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