The Millionaire bid farewell to several youth prospects during the break, and the coach laid out the reasons behind these departures.
River Plate, under the leadership of Martin Demichelis, organized two market moves that shared a clear thread: welcoming a historically strong club back into the fold and pushing ahead with targeted investments in select players. On one side, they welcomed back Matías Kranevitter, Nacho Fernández, Ramiro Funes Mori, Manuel Lanzini, and Pity Martínez. On the other, they committed significant financial resources to Enzo Díaz, Salomón Rondón, Facundo Colidio, and Sebastián Boselli.
As for the players who left, Lucas Beltrán’s high-value sale stood out, while a broader pattern emerged: the coach’s tendency to loan out a large roster from the youth ranks drew criticism from fans. During the mid-year break, Franco Alfonso, Esteban Fernández, Manuel Guillén, and Tomas Castro Ponce were among those sent away on temporary assignments.
These moves became a key topic at the DTs press conference following the win over Barracas Central, with a straightforward rationale offered for the departures. Regarding Fernández, who was on loan at Newell’s Old Boys through the end of 2024, the coach explained that after years in the reserve, growth had stagnated there. He added that with many changes in the squad, minutes would be scarce.
He emphasized that stepping outside the comfort zone was essential for development. A strong club with an excellent coach could provide a platform where the player would continue to mature. The coach drew a parallel to Enzo Fernández’s path at Defensa y Justicia, noting that moving away and returning is sometimes necessary for growth when there is no room for everyone in the squad.
Among those seeking minutes, Alfonso stood out as the only one to have featured with the first team in the first half of the season. He was moved to Huracán with the hope of establishing himself there. The coach explained that Franco was eager to stay, but the decision was made to loan him out through December. After about fourteen appearances, a review would follow. None of these moves happened by chance; decisions were made in consultation with the technical secretariat.
The last case discussed was Castro Ponce, who returned in January and was kept in consideration due to a shortage of central midfielders. The coach noted that he saw potential in the midfielder from early on. With numerous injuries in the squad, Castro Ponce stayed longer, but eventually minutes became scarce, prompting the latest reassessment.
All parties involved sought to balance immediate needs with longer-term development, aiming to preserve the club’s competitive edge while nurturing young talent for the future. This approach reflects a strategic view of the squad’s evolution, where loans and returns are tools to maximize minutes, experience, and readiness for the top level, as reported by Goal.