In a surprising turn of events, Scott Parker, the former Newcastle United captain and now manager of Burnley, is on the brink of securing a deal to sign Joao Mendes, the son of football legend Ronaldinho. Mendes, who previously played for Barcelona’s youth team, is set to join Burnley as they aim for a swift return to the Premier League.
Joao Mendes, whose father Ronaldinho is celebrated as one of the greatest footballers of all time, initially joined Barcelona in January last year. Starting as a trialist, he quickly earned a youth contract, following in the footsteps of his illustrious father, who won a World Cup, the Champions League, and two FIFA Player of the Year awards during his career.
However, Mendes has since left the Catalan giants and is now poised to continue his football journey in England. Scott Parker, who captained Newcastle United during the time when Ronaldinho was at the peak of his career, confirmed that negotiations with Mendes are in the advanced stages. "I don’t think anything has been officially done at this present moment in time but I think there is something there for sure," Parker said on Thursday.
Despite the buzz surrounding Mendes’ potential arrival, Parker is eager to manage expectations. He stressed that Mendes is still a young player with much to prove and urged fans not to place undue pressure on him. "This is a player that is a development player and a project in that sense... I wouldn’t want to heap any more pressure that’s already on him," Parker added.
Parker also highlighted the challenges Mendes might face in adapting to English football, given his different cultural background and lifestyle. The Burnley boss is keen to ensure that the young player is given the time and space to grow and develop at his own pace.
While the transfer is yet to be finalized, the prospect of Joao Mendes joining Burnley under the guidance of Scott Parker is already generating significant excitement. With Burnley determined to secure an instant return to the Premier League, the addition of Mendes could be a crucial step in their journey.
