Reading target boys from Brazil

Published 20 Nov 2008 15:00 0 Comments

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READING could soon be beating to the sound of the Samba drum after director of football Nick Hammond returned from a trip to Brazil.

Hammond, along with chief scout Brian McDermott, spent a week in South America visiting the likes of Sao Paulo and Corinthians and meeting up with some of the country's top agents.

Although Hammond does not expect the trip to bear immediate fruits he does believe that in the future there will be a Brazilian influence at the Madejski Stadium.

He said: "It was a good week to go and make some contacts and see some games before we crack on towards the January transfer window.

"We really enjoyed it. We saw some very good football and made some excellent contacts. We spent a week in Sao Paulo which is the biggest area in terms of football in Brazil.

"Nothing will probably come of it just yet but it's something for the future and as we go forward it's a base that we need to have. Players out of South America play in the Premier it's as simple as that."

Hammond and McDermott watched a number of games during the week and Hammond admitted that the duo did have some specific players in mind before making the trip.

He added: "We were aware of some players who were playing in the games that we were taking in but more than anything it was about building contacts.

"There are some very big agents there, it's a slightly different way of working as it is in Europe and I was keen to understand that so it was a very worthwhile trip.

"We met with Sao Paulo, we met with Corinthians, two of the big clubs in Brazil and we met with a number of the prominent agents.

"The games were fantastic in terms of quality. People think Brazilian football is slow and laid back but it's not, it's much more similar to English football."

Now he has returned to England Hammond is turning his attentions to the chaos of the January transfer window which is fast approaching.

Reading's director of football doesn't think he will be doing much business in terms of bringing players to the club but he did hint that there may be some departures.

He said: "The squad that we've got I know is very capable. I can't imagine there will be a massive amount of dealings in January.

"I don't think there will be in general with the financial markets as they are at the moment. People are going to be very careful in terms of investment so I think it will be reasonably quiet.

"The feeling is very much that we want to keep the squad together. We don't want to be losing players in January, certainly those that are very much part of the squad at the moment.

"We might lose one or two players who need to play regularly. The loan system is continuing to work very well for us so you might see a few exits in that respect but just for the sake of building experience."

Hammond doesn't believe it is necessary to strengthen the squad because of the success the club enjoyed during the last transfer window. Recent signings Noel Hunt and Chris Armstrong have proved to be big hits and Hammond still expects Dave Mooney to make his mark.

He said: "They've all done very well. I remember Brian and I going up to see Noel last year playing at Rangers in front of 40,000 Rangers supporters who booed his every touch and at that point in time we thought he'll do for us.

"He's so far proved to be an excellent signing. Chris Armstrong is just a fantastic professional, low maintenance and just gets on with his job.

"Unfortunately Dave Mooney has picked up an injury just as he's starting to transition. People don't realise the time it takes for a player to adjust. It's taken Cisse and Kebe time but they're getting into the swing of things."

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 20 Nov 08

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