The world is full of young football talents.
They grow up in the streets of São Paulo, Buenos Aires, Abuja or Belgrade, and the world is literally to their feet, so to speak. In our work and research in BabaGol, we discover many players that don’t get the focus or the chance to showcase what they can produce.
Juan Gafas, our ‘shadow’ scout, with this weekly talent.
Fernando Valenzuela
Age: 22
Club: Barracas Central (Argentinean 2nd tier)
Position: Winger
Nationality: Argentina
Market Value: €1,000,000 (Transfermarkt)
Why follow him? “Chiche” Valenzuela is as good as they come when taking on opponents, and in the last 18 months, he can't stop scoring for his club and country.
Playing for local mega-club Racing's youth teams since he was 14, Chiche was always considered as a unique talent with guaranteed success in the senior squad. Highlights of his actions went viral, “the next Messi”, they said (5.6 feet, left-footed trickery winger), but the transition to senior football failed, and the club lost faith in his ability to fulfill his potential. Soon after, they cut him loose.
He joined 3rd tier side, at the time, Barracas Central, and fans could see the qualities that made him so famous. Chiche’s skills on the ball are excellent for any level, especially when manipulating it in small spaces, getting his opponents dizzy before breaking through. He has an eye for goal, finding spaces inside the box or for striking from outside the box, and lethal from set-pieces. His break-through season got him a place in the U22 national team for the Pan American Games, even though playing in the 3rd tier, where he continued his excellent form helping Argentina win the Gold medal.
Now in the 2nd tier, he doesn't score as much, with Barracas in the lower half of the table, but still looks sharp when taking on opponents, which he does continuously and perhaps too much (2nd most dribble attempts in the league). His size will be an issue in European football, his game needs more discipline and maturity as well, but his skills are so good that I would take a risk on this young and exciting player.