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Real Madrid legend Guti has claimed that Los Blancos ignored his advice to sign “ridiculous” Joao Felix and Jadon Sancho.
Guti, who managed the youth teams of Real Madrid between 2013 and 2018, revealed that he recommended the names of Felix and Sancho after watching them play at youth level. However, Los Blancos officials did not formally pursue either player after the recommendation from the ex-Spain international.
Felix later joined Real’s rivals Atletico Madrid from Benfica in 2019, and has since taken in loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona. The Portuguese attacker is now on the verge of reuniting with the Blues as he has agreed to join them permanently on a six-year deal.
Sancho, on the other hand, joined Manchester United in 2021 from Borussia Dortmund and has had a topsy-turvy journey with the Red Devils thus far. During the 2023-24 campaign, Sancho had a fallout with manager Erik ten Hag after which he was banished from the first team and was then sent out on a short-term loan deal to Dortmund in January 2024. The winger is now back in the United setup.
WHAT GUTI SAID
Speaking on El Chiringuito, former Real midfielder Guti said: “I saw him (Joao Felix) in the Youth League and this kid was valuable, it was ridiculous how he played against the others. He passed everyone. This kid had to be signed. I told Real Madrid that. I was coaching Real Madrid’s youth teams in the Youth League and were in the semi-finals against João Félix.
“He scored three goals. But I didn’t even need to tell Real Madrid, the club followed this type of player. In the end, you pass on information and the club does what it wants with it. I saw players like him, like [Jadon] Sancho from Dortmund, in the Youth League, about whom I also said ‘This player is worth signing’.”
When asked about Felix’s recent struggles as a player, Guti added: “That’s what happened (about being signed for €126 million), he was 19 years old, he came from a slightly lower league, he came as a star, paying what he was paid for and to a club where they’re going to demand a lot from him from day one. Maybe he wasn’t ready for that.”
WHAT NEXT?
The Portugal international has already reached London ahead of his medical, after which he is expected to formally put pen to paper on the Blues’ contract. Sancho, who missed United’s season opener against Fulham due to an ear infection, is likely to be next seen in action on Saturday as his club face Brighton.
