MAKES NO SENSE!! Palmeiras IS SPENDING 14 MILLION EUROS on a PLAYER that... Is Ramón Sosa GOOD?

The Palmeiras football club's recent acquisition of Ramón Sosa for €14 million (approximately R$90 million) has sparked considerable debate and criticism regarding the inflated player transfer market in Brazilian football. Many pundits argue that the club's investment in an unproven player, who had limited game time and impact at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, is excessive. Despite Sosa's potential as a Paraguayan national team player who performed well in Argentina for Talleres, the consensus is that he is not a game-changing player who justifies such a hefty price tag. This expenditure is emblematic of a broader trend where Brazilian clubs, notably Palmeiras and Flamengo, are spending exorbitant amounts on players who may not significantly elevate team performance. The discussion also highlights the issue of over-reliance on foreign players facilitated by lenient CBF rules and questions if clubs should rely more on their prolific youth academies instead of making risky, high-cost bets.

The Ramón Sosa Acquisition: An Overpriced Bet

The acquisition of Ramón Sosa by Palmeiras for €14 million has been met with considerable skepticism. Critics point to his limited playing time with Nottingham Forest, where he played only 19 games in the Premier League, averaging just 14 minutes per game as a starter. His performance in England was largely unremarkable, failing to register significant contributions. Before Forest, he also played for Talleres, from whom Forest initially purchased him for €11 million. The subsequent €14 million paid by Palmeiras, equating to about R$90 million, is seen as a staggering amount for a player who is largely unknown and has not demonstrated consistent high-level performance.

Ninguém me convence de que o Ramon Souça que mal joga no Nsingham Forest, eu vou até pegar, vou ver se tem aqui os números dele, 19 jogos pela Premier League, ficou em campo 280 e pouco, dá 14 minutos por jogo. como titular. Acho que foram três ou é negócio assim de 19 jogos ele foi titular em três. Jogou 14 minutos por jogo. Não fez nada no futebol inglês, nada.

The sentiment among many, including the speaker and Bruno Prado, is that while Sosa might be a decent player who could potentially contribute to Palmeiras, he is not the type of talent that justifies such a monumental investment. He is a Paraguayan international who performed well in Argentina, playing for Talleres alongside Garro, who later joined Corinthians and has performed well. However, the €14 million price tag suggests a player who would be a game-changer, which Sosa is not expected to be. This contrasts sharply with the value seen in players like Facundo Torres, who, despite also being purchased for a high amount ( $12 million for Orlando City), is considered a useful player but not a transformative one.

Inflated Transfer Market in Brazilian Football

The acquisition of Ramón Sosa is indicative of a broader issue of inflated transfer fees in Brazilian football. Palmeiras, in particular, has seen its spending reach unprecedented levels, with total expenditures this year nearing R$500 million. While the club has also generated significant revenue from player sales, the amount spent on individual players like Sosa raises concerns about financial prudence. For instance, Victor Roque was bought for €25.5 million, and while he is a promising talent, his current performance has not yet justified the price.

Another example cited is Rolaz from Santos, who was acquired for €11 million. Although Rolaz is a good player who has helped Santos, the club's financial situation makes such a high expenditure questionable, especially after he failed to make an impact at Benfica, which should have depreciated his market value. The argument is that clubs are paying top dollar for players who are not necessarily in high demand or have a proven track record of consistently high performance. This trend suggests a lack of careful scouting and risk assessment by clubs.

É muito assim, o Falcundo Torres é ruim. Não, não é. Ele é titular do Palmeiras em muitos jogos e ajuda. É um jogador útil. E o Ramon Soça pode ser também. É um jogador útil. Acho que vai ser, mas assim, é um valor muito maluco. Um outro que eu cito, que chegou recentemente, que eu acho bom jogador, mas pelo clube que comprou e pelo valor é uma loucura, que é o Rolazer do Santos.

Over-Reliance on Foreign Players and Youth Academy Potential

A significant point of contention is the CBF rule allowing up to 10 foreign players per team. This rule is criticized for encouraging clubs to spend heavily on overseas talent, often neglecting the potential within their own youth academies. Palmeiras, for instance, has an extraordinary youth program that has generated over R$1 billion in recent sales from players like Endrick, Luiz Guilherme, and Kevin (who will soon be sold to Shakhtar). The question remains: why spend €14 million on an unproven foreign player when the academy could potentially produce similar or better talent at a fraction of the cost?

The speaker argues that if a player like Sosa is not expected to significantly elevate the team's level, then the investment is misguided, especially when compared to seasoned players with proven track records. As an example, the Flamengo acquisition of De La Cruz, while also costly, involved a player with a substantial resume, including a Copa Libertadores title and a starting position in the Uruguayan national team. In contrast, Sosa is perceived as a "gamble" without a comparable pedigree.

The excessive spending is further highlighted by the potential sale of Palmeiras player Richard Ríos to AS Roma for an estimated €25 million ( €20 million fixed plus €5 million in bonuses), of which Palmeiras would receive 70%. This amount is roughly equivalent to what will be spent on Sosa, leading to the question of whether swapping a proven asset like Ríos for a risky bet like Sosa is a sound strategy, especially when the club is not in desperate need of funds.

Performance vs. Investment

Despite significant investments, Palmeiras's recent performance in international competitions, particularly the Club World Cup, has been underwhelming. Compared to other Brazilian teams like Fluminense and Flamengo, who have achieved notable victories against European powerhouses, Palmeiras has struggled. Under coach Abel Ferreira, the team has won only one out of nine Club World Cup matches against non-Al Ahly opponents. This record raises questions about the effectiveness of the extensive spending in truly elevating the team's standing on the global stage. While the team is performing reasonably well in the Brasileirão, currently in third place, critics argue that the investment should yield more impactful results against top-tier international competition.

The speaker emphasizes that such high expenditures for players who do not significantly change the team's dynamics are problematic, particularly without stronger financial fair play regulations in Brazilian football. The current system allows clubs to make lavish spending decisions without facing severe consequences, leading to what many perceive as irrational market behavior.

Takeaways

Overpriced Acquisition: The €14 million spent on Ramón Sosa is largely seen as an overpayment for a player who has not consistently performed at a high level, particularly given his limited role at Nottingham Forest.
Inflated Market: The transfer reflects a broader issue of inflated player valuations in Brazilian football, with clubs like Palmeiras spending significant amounts on players who are not transformative to their teams.
Youth Academy vs. Foreign Talent: Critics argue that Brazilian clubs, particularly Palmeiras with its successful youth academy, should prioritize developing and utilizing their own talent rather than making risky, high-cost bets on unproven foreign players, especially with lenient foreign player limits.
Performance vs. Investment Discrepancy: Despite high spending, Palmeiras's international performance, especially in the Club World Cup, has not matched the investment, raising questions about the effectiveness of the club's transfer strategy.