South America’s Young Prospects: The Best of ‘The Rest’
Year after year, South America produces some of the most talented young players in world football. When you look at all the best teams there’s always a South American player of some nation. With so much attention always being on the two biggest nations in South America (Argentina & Brazil), people often overlook how many great young players the other countries have, particularly in their own leagues.
There are several nations that have a great upcoming squad and if developed well could become a real force. Nations like Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Venezuela etc. all have great young players of their own that top clubs should be looking at.
A lot of these players in South America can often be bought for a lot cheaper fees as they aren’t considered ‘proven’ in Europe, but they have the ability and mentality to be very effective in those leagues. Hence why we see so many South Americans come over for low fees, have a great season then suddenly have exponential growth in value.
For that reason, I’ll be focussing on the ones still in South American leagues & not yet in Europe. I’ll take a deeper dive to show it’s not just Brazil & Argentina that have youngsters with world-class potential. They’re all players that have a high potential resale value. Here’s a list of some of the best…
Kendry Páez
Age: 16
Team: Independiente
Nation: Ecuador
Positions: AM, RW, CM
Height: 5’9”/177cm
At 16, Páez has already signed for Chelsea for €20m and will join just after his 18th birthday. He recently made his senior debut for Ecuador too and alongside other Chelsea-owned talents like Cesare Casadei and Andrey Santos, he impressed for his country in the recent U-20 World Cup, becoming the youngest player to score in the tournament’s history.
Páez is a creative AM who has great agility, dribbling in tight spaces and ball-carrying. Despite being only 15/16 this season he’s played with fearlessness and bravery. Hehas a high football IQ – his top vision helps him pick out passes well. But he has a great passing range & decision-making for his age. He’s a very silky player who is sensational to watch.
His acceleration allows him to quickly escape challenges and burst into space. Along with this, he has a great ball-striking ability off his left foot. He’s still very lightweight but that’s to be expected as he’s only recently turned 16. But over the next 2 years before his Chelsea move, it’ll be exciting to see how Páez develops. Very special player.
Fabricio Díaz
Age: 20
Team: Liverpool FC Montevideo
Nation: Uruguay
Positions: DM, CM
Height: 5’9”/176cm
Fabricio Díaz is one of many upcoming stars for Uruguay and captained their side to win the U-20 World Cup. He also captains his club at only 20 years old and has been linked with Barcelona a lot recently. Making over 100 appearances before 20, he’s been a key player for his side with his leadership skills & maturity being clear as when he was coming through as a teenager in the first team he was calling out players twice his age in his first few training sessions.
As a player, he’s very composed on the ball and has a great passing range. He plays as a deep-lying playmaker who controls the tempo of the game (hence is seen as a long-term Sergio Busquets replacement). Díaz is a dynamic player though & has great ball-carrying, his high work rate means he can play as a box-to-box player too but he’s definitely more of a DM. With a pass completion of 86%, & 7 progressive passes p/90 this season, he’s technically secure.
He had the most key passes in the U-20 World Cup at 31 (14 ahead of 2nd) giving him 4.63 chances created p/90. He often picks up the ball between the two center backs and then dribbles into midfield then plays sensible passes, a confident player who is skilled at breaking the lines and finding a teammate in an advanced position.
Óscar Cortés
Age: 19
Team: Millonarios
Nation: Colombia
Positions: RW, LW, AM
Height: 5’9”/176cm
Cortés shone for Colombia at the U20 WC – he was their top scorer & the 3rd top scorer of the tournament with 4 goals. Cortés possesses electric pace and acceleration but also agility, low centre of gravity and ball control to constantly beat his marker. He’s still quite raw as his finishing isn’t lethal but his direct style is dangerous for defences.
His high energy style and work rate make him an effective high presser. Cortés created the most big chances at the U20 WC (4) and had the 2nd most key passes (17). Millonarios have a friendly against Crystal Palace coming up so it’ll be interesting to see how he does against them as a lot of European clubs will be looking at him soon.
Kevin Mantilla
Age: 20
Team: Independiente Santa Fe
Nation: Colombia
Position: CB
Height: 6’1”/185cm
Kevin Mantilla is a commanding CB who dominates aerial duels with an aerial duel success rate of 71.3% in Primera A. He has an aggressive front-foot play style but also a great understanding of the game that enables him to make interceptions. His presence, leadership and bravery are that of an experienced CB.
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Mantilla has great defensive positioning and awareness to match his aggression, making him a beast in ground duels too and anticipating passes. He’s a great passer himself and is surely destined to play in Europe sooner rather than later.
Luciano Rodríguez
Age: 19
Team: Liverpool FC Montevideo
Nation: Uruguay
Positions: ST, LW, RW, CF
Height: 5’10”/179cm
Luciano Rodríguez was the man of the match in the U-20 World Cup final as he scored the 86th-minute winner for Uruguay to win 1-0 vs Italy. During the game, he made an impressive 7 successful dribbles (7/10) and made two key passes. Rodríguez is a high energy aggressive forward who can cover all positions in the front 3. He presses the defence high and loves to run at players and run in behind.
Despite his small stature, he’s very strong and physical enough to play as the lone ST. His strength, agility and dribbling make him tough to tackle off the ball as he shields the ball well. Rodríguez is also a great ball striker off both feet. He’s right-footed but has scored some great goals from outside the box with both feet. His tenacity and determination are traits you just can’t teach and he recently stated he used his motivation from losing the Sudamericano U20 final against Brazil to help him win the U-20 World Cup with Uruguay.
Óscar Zambrano
Age: 19
Team: LDU Quito
Nation: Ecuador
Positions: DM, CM
Height: 5’9”/175cm
Óscar Zambrano is a top quality 6 and is the future anchor of Ecuador’s midfield. Zambrano is a tough tackler who’s great in duels and at anticipating passes. His aggression makes him more imposing than his height suggests. Zambrano is also very technical. He has very good line-breaking passes which start attacks for his team. But also has a vast passing range and particularly excels in long passing. Zambrano is great at progressing the ball and he was a key player for Ecuador at the U-20 World Cup.
Lucas Assadi
Age: 19
Team: Club Universidad de Chile
Nation: Chile
Positions: AM, RW, LW
Height: 5’7”/172cm
Lucas Assadi is Chile’s future star. He’s a very agile skilful player whose main position is in the no.10 where he creates but also scores goals. He loves to run with the ball and beat players and has great acceleration to break away from defenders. Assadi has already attracted interest from Europe with Southampton, Norwich, Newcastle & Everton all being linked with him in January.
Darío Osorio
Age: 19
Team: Club Universidad de Chile
Nation: Chile
Positions: RW, LW, AM
Height: 6’1”/184cm
Darío Osorio is another part of Chile’s exciting upcoming generation. He loves to dribble and beat players and when playing on the RW he loves to cut in on his left foot to either cross or dribble to create space to shoot from distance. His height also makes him an aerial threat at the back post and he’s dangerous in the transition due to him having space to open his stride and pull away from defenders with his speed. At 6’1” it’s not a surprise that he’s a great ball-striker.
Alexander Aravena
Age: 20
Team: CD Universidad Católica
Nation: Chile
Positions: LW, RW, ST
Height: 5’10”/178cm
The next Chilean on the list is Alexander Aravena. He’s been having a great season in the Primera División with 7 goals and 2 assists in 13 games, it’s no surprise to see that he’s already attracted interest from Sunderland. Aravena takes 2.65 shots p/90. Aravena is a quick winger who loves to run in behind and has great composure in the final third: he takes his time when finishing to focus on placing shots better. He also has great link-up play with his attackers and takes a lot of touches in the box (4.88 p/90) so he suits being around other agile, quick creative players.
Diego Gómez
Age: 20
Team: Libertad
Nation: Paraguay
Positions: CM, AM
Height: 6’1”/185cm
Diego Gómez is Libertad’s next star after Enciso. Gómez has become an important player for Libertad as he’s not a start in the LCM role of a 4-3-3. He’s very strong and wins his duels but also possesses great ball control and ball-carrying. At his height he’s very good in aerial duels and as an aerial threat arriving in the box. Gómez loves to run forward to get involved in the attacks and his best position is clearly as a box-to-box midfielder.
Andrés Romero
Age: 20
Team: Monagas SC
Nation: Venezuela
Positions: CM, LM, RM, AM
Height: 6’0”/184cm
Andrés Romero is a midfielder who’s effective in the attacking third. He loves to dictate play around the edge of the penalty area and make runs into the area and takes a lot of shots p/90 for a midfielder. He’s best as an 8/10 so he can roam around the half-space and make runs into the box.
Sebastían González
Age: 20
Team: LDU Quito
Nation: Ecuador
Positions: CM, DM, AM, LM
Height: 5’10”/178cm
Sebastían González is a top prospect in Ecuador. He’s an all-rounder of a midfielder. He loves to look for the ball and is constantly scanning to see where his opponents are and where to pass/run next. He’s got great vision to pick out passes but his good acceleration also allows him to run past defenders. When running he positions his body well to shield the ball.
He’s also intelligent in the final third picking out teammates running through and has displayed glimpses of great finishing & shooting ability. His best position in the long term will probably be as a box-to-box 8.
Damián Pizarro
Age: 18
Team: CSD Colo Colo
Nation: Chile
Positions: ST
Height: 6’2”/187cm
Damián Pizarro is the latest to break through in Chile with bags of potential. Pizarro is Chile’s version of Darwin Núñez in many ways. He’s an athletic physical striker with superb off-the-ball movement. He loves to run in behind and is a real aerial threat. He’s a really strong aggressive ST who uses his body well to carry the ball and battle against defenders.
However, he lacks composure in the final third to finish his chances well. He’s one of those players who’s frustrating to watch at times because his runs are so intelligent, and he does so well to create chances for himself but then doesn’t finish them. I believe there’s a top player in there and if he goes to Europe, I could see him building his confidence and refining his game. No surprise to see so many European teams looking at him because the finishing and composure aspects are coachable and if he improves there he’ll be a serious player.
Sebastián Boselli
Age: 19
Team: Defensor Sporting Club
Nation: Uruguay
Positions: CB, RB, LB
Height: 6’0”/183cm
Another star for Uruguay’s U20s. Boselli is an intelligent defender whose vision for passes allows him to play some great line-breaking passes. But he’s also got real aggression to him and he understands the game well to step up and make interceptions.
David Martínez
Age: 17
Team: Monagas SC
Nation: Venezuela
Positions: RW, AM, LW
Height: 5’10”/178cm
From Yangel Herrera to Wuilker Fariñez, Venezuela has exported quite a few young talents to Europe recently, and the next Vinotinto star to get a move could be Martínez. Boasting great vision and composure in the final third, he loves to play balls over the top. He is also a top finisher with variety to his shots, capable of making very good curved shots & striking through the ball well from a distance too. As a right winger, he loves to carry the ball and cut in on his left foot to shoot.
Jesús Castillo
Age: 22
Team: Sporting Cristal
Nation: Peru
Positions: DM, CM
Height: 6’1”/185cm
A slightly older option here but Jesús Castillo is a great player in Peru. He’s a great passer and ball progressor. Castillo is an aggressive midfielder who is a high-volume passer. He can play as a 6 or an 8. Castillo’s skillset is one which I can imagine a lot of teams being interested in.
Miguel Monsalve
Age: 19
Team: Independiente Medellín
Nation: Colombia
Positions: AM, LW, ST
Height: 5’10”/177cm
Miguel Monsalve is a technical player who excels in the final third play. His skill set makes his best position land at AM/CF behind the ST his unpredictability & creativity makes him great in the half-spaces. He needs to be more consistent, but he has great potential.
Kervin Andrade
Age: 18
Team: Deportivo La Guaira
Nation: Venezuela
Positions:
Height: 5’6”/168cm
Kervin Andrade is one of Venezuela’s most talented youngsters, he quickly became a key player for Deportivo La Guaira in several different roles. He’s an agile dribbler who loves to try to beat players and is even a threat via free kicks.
Alan Matturro
Age: 18
Team: Genoa
Nation: Uruguay
Positions: CB, LB
Height: 6’2”/189cm
The final option made a move to Europe from Defensor to Genoa in January but still had to keep him on the list due to his top performances in the U-20 World Cup. Maturro won the tournament with Uruguay and received the Silver Ball award (second-best player of the tournament).
Matturro is a mobile, physical CB who is a very adept LB too – played there all tournament. He’s surprisingly quick for a 6’2” CB and loves to defend aggressively. His broad frame helps him to win aerial duels and he’s like a younger left-sided Ronald Araújo.
I think he’ll be on the move again soon, especially if his performances for Genoa continue to improve. He has been linked with Inter and Juventus who would then loan him back to Genoa for the upcoming season. I do believe if he moves that’s the best option for him because at Genoa he can become a key player in defence and make huge strides towards becoming a high-level CB.
By: Ben Mattinson / @Ben_Mattinson_
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Marcelo Endelli – FIFA