Transfer Talk: Spurs Scouring South America
Transfer Talk: Spurs Scouring South America
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| Agustin Almendra one of the players scouted by Steve Hitchen |
Steve Hitchen, our chief scout has been spending time casting his eye over players in South America.
Regular readers will know it is an area I feel we have neglected and where we should be trying to sign the next superstars from.
Yes it is laden with risks, but the players are relatively cheap and the clubs in need of money, being it is not a rich sport out there. Generally, players go to Russia, Portugal or Italy. From the latter two destinations, they then tend to look for a big money move elsewhere in Europe.
Many obtain Italian passports and we currently have work permit problems with them, but it is where bargains can arrive from with even the second tier league like Holland demanding over the top prices for unproven talent at the top level.
We view statistics and watch the players who fit our profiles on video. Then we watch them live and if they continue to impress us then Steve Hitchen gets to cast his eye over them, so you know any player he is watching we are seriously interested in.
That doesn't mean to say we are going to buy them, but we are going to take a serious look at them and follow their progress.
Recently I brought you news of Brazilians he was casting his eye over. Well, before the Copa Libertadores semi-final between Brazilian sides Grêmio and Flamengo (2nd leg tomorrow), he was in Argentina.
He has been looking at Agustin Almendra, Adolfo Gaich, and Agustin Urzi.
Agustin Almendra
Agustin Almendra is a 19-year-old (20 next February) Argentinian central midfielder who plays for Boca Juniors. He is listed as being able to play attacking midfield or right-sided midfield. He is right-footed which suggests he could perhaps play inverted from the left.
He has represented Argentina at Under-20 level (5 caps) and has played 219 minutes this season. Hitchen watched him play against Newells Old Boys where he played as a defensive midfielder for 77 minutes.
Almendra came through the Boca Juniors academy, an academy that has produced players like Carlos Tevez, Fernando Gago, Ever Banega and Nicolas Gaitan.
Recently I brought you news of Brazilians he was casting his eye over. Well, before the Copa Libertadores semi-final between Brazilian sides Grêmio and Flamengo (2nd leg tomorrow), he was in Argentina.
He has been looking at Agustin Almendra, Adolfo Gaich, and Agustin Urzi.
Agustin Almendra
Agustin Almendra is a 19-year-old (20 next February) Argentinian central midfielder who plays for Boca Juniors. He is listed as being able to play attacking midfield or right-sided midfield. He is right-footed which suggests he could perhaps play inverted from the left.
He has represented Argentina at Under-20 level (5 caps) and has played 219 minutes this season. Hitchen watched him play against Newells Old Boys where he played as a defensive midfielder for 77 minutes.
Almendra came through the Boca Juniors academy, an academy that has produced players like Carlos Tevez, Fernando Gago, Ever Banega and Nicolas Gaitan.
He has the ability to get out of tricky situations with superb close control and upper body strength. He understands the game and his body positioning in tight situations aids his successful departure from them. His hips will send a player one way, a dip of the shoulder and he is off in another direction, thus switching the angle of play.
The youngster possess the balance and agility that catches a coach's eye. He is powerful running with the ball which is in advance of him and not tucked under his feet slowing him down and making tackles easier. If you want to physically stop him you have to foul him and run the gauntlet of the referee's cards.
Almendra reads defensive situations well and has in his armory a strong well-timed tackle. His game would appear to be suited to the Premier League.
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| Agustín Urzi being watched by Spurs |
Agustín Urzi
Agustín Urzi is a 19-year-old (20 next May) left-footed Argentinian U-20 (2 caps) wide attacker who can play either side or as an attacking midfielder.
"Agustin has an incredible personality. He never got scared and I liked him a lot because he played without fear," former striker Hernan Crespo told the press earlier this year.
Agustín Urzi is a 19-year-old (20 next May) left-footed Argentinian U-20 (2 caps) wide attacker who can play either side or as an attacking midfielder.
"Agustin has an incredible personality. He never got scared and I liked him a lot because he played without fear," former striker Hernan Crespo told the press earlier this year.
Urzi was part of the Argentine U19 national team that participated in the 2018 South American Games in Bolivia.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Naples, and Roma have been reported to be following him.
STRENGTHS: Pace, Agility, Accelerations, Coordination, Technique, Possession of the ball, Shooting, Dribbling, Through-balls, Long passing, Cross, Rapidity of execution, Cuts, Counter attacks, Creativity
Adolfo Gaich
Adolfo Gaich is a 21-year-old (21 next February) Argentinian international ( 1cap away friendly vs Mexico, 3 mins) centre-forward who plays for San Loenzo.
Hitchen went to watch San Lorenzo play Banfield but he only came on as a substitute with one minute to go.
Gaich is 6ft 3in has physical power, great technique and aerial ability. Plaudits remark on his natural finishing and poaching instincts. He links well with players, holds the ball up well and brings others into play.
He was one of the players who stood out at the Under-20 South American Championships in January and February in Chile where Ecuador picked up their first trophy. The young Argentinian striker scored three goals in the tournament.
Inter Milan, Lazio, Genoa, Liverpool, Everton have been linked with him and his club are said to be asking €15m (£12.94m - US$16.68m - AUS$24.36m).
His agent spoke to the Argentinian press about the interest in his client, a potential gem in the making.
“Adolfo is a powerful striker, similar to Lewandowski and Ibrahimovic. I must say that in Chile, there were many talent scouts from various clubs watching him. He is ready to play for a big European club, they really appreciate his attributes and the player will soon get his EU passport.”
Chelsea, Manchester City, Naples, and Roma have been reported to be following him.
STRENGTHS: Pace, Agility, Accelerations, Coordination, Technique, Possession of the ball, Shooting, Dribbling, Through-balls, Long passing, Cross, Rapidity of execution, Cuts, Counter attacks, Creativity
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| Adolfo Gaich on Spurs radar |
Adolfo Gaich
Adolfo Gaich is a 21-year-old (21 next February) Argentinian international ( 1cap away friendly vs Mexico, 3 mins) centre-forward who plays for San Loenzo.
Hitchen went to watch San Lorenzo play Banfield but he only came on as a substitute with one minute to go.
Gaich is 6ft 3in has physical power, great technique and aerial ability. Plaudits remark on his natural finishing and poaching instincts. He links well with players, holds the ball up well and brings others into play.
He was one of the players who stood out at the Under-20 South American Championships in January and February in Chile where Ecuador picked up their first trophy. The young Argentinian striker scored three goals in the tournament.
Inter Milan, Lazio, Genoa, Liverpool, Everton have been linked with him and his club are said to be asking €15m (£12.94m - US$16.68m - AUS$24.36m).
His agent spoke to the Argentinian press about the interest in his client, a potential gem in the making.
“Adolfo is a powerful striker, similar to Lewandowski and Ibrahimovic. I must say that in Chile, there were many talent scouts from various clubs watching him. He is ready to play for a big European club, they really appreciate his attributes and the player will soon get his EU passport.”
Top skills: Strength, Coordination, Technique, Heading, Shooting, Finishing, Off the ball, Determination, Personality
Style of play:
Tall and physically strong
Has heading ability
Indirect set-piece threat
Responsible for scoring goals
Holds the ball up until teammates can join the attack
Hard-working forward with an eye for goal
Tall and physically strong
Has heading ability
Indirect set-piece threat
Responsible for scoring goals
Holds the ball up until teammates can join the attack
Hard-working forward with an eye for goal
COYS
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