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The South American U20 Championship is always a fertile stomping ground for scouts in search of the next big thing and the 2013 edition in Argentina, won by Colombia, was no different. Many players impressed and some have already secured moves to Europe on the back of their performances. Inside Futbol pick out the five who shone brightest in Mendoza and San Juan.
Juan Fernando Quintero – Colombia – Pescara (Italy)
Quintero was entrusted with Colombia’s number 10 shirt and certainly did not disappoint, scoring five goals – a sublime long-range free kick against Argentina the pick of the bunch – and providing four assists as the Cafeteros romped to just a third ever South American U20 Championship success.
He displayed superb touch and balance in possession and was always alert and aware of the movement of team-mates. Once his radar was set, he also possessed the necessary quality to find their runs, his wand of a left foot delivering inch-perfect pass after inch-perfect pass, taking advantage of the pace and power of Colombia’s forwards.
Quintero is already in Europe with the Italian side Pescara, but will certainly have caught the eye of more high-profile clubs with his performances in Argentina. Inter have previously been credited with an interest, while Manchester United are also thought to be keen on the young playmaker.
Yordy Reyna – Peru – Alianza Lima
Peru reached the final group stage of the competition for the first time since 1999 and performed well throughout, pressing high and taking the game to their opponents with a collective confidence that one rarely associates with the country’s national teams.
The lightning-quick Reyna had a key part to play, buzzing around after opposition defenders out of possession and providing penetration when Peru regained the ball, regularly denuding rival defences and finishing in a calm, controlled manner that belied his tender years. He also showed good strength and awareness on the ball despite his diminutive stature.
The forward who Universitario once wrote off as too short for the professional game finished the tournament with five goals and will be keen to extend his good form into the Peruvian championship with Alianza Lima, where he will link up with his similarly fleet-footed U20 team-mate Jean Deza, a loan signing from MSK Zilina.
Nicolas Lopez – Uruguay – Roma (Italy)
Nico Lopez announced his arrival in Serie A with a late equaliser in Roma’s 2-2 draw with Catania on the first day of the 2012/13 season, but has found first team opportunities limited thereafter. The South American U20 Championship gave him a platform on which to shine and he responded magnificently, finishing as top scorer with six goals.
A small, left-footed striker who somewhat unkindly carries the nickname Conejo (Rabbit) in reference to his prominent front teeth, Lopez offered a constant threat, displaying excellent close control to manoeuvre the ball and create space to unleash well struck, accurate efforts on goal.
An impatient agent engineered a move to Italy when Lopez was just 18 and had less than 10 first team appearances to his name in Uruguay. The talent is there; he just needs opportunities to hone it. Chances may come in the second half of the Serie A season with an injury to Mattia Destro potentially putting Lopez first in line as a backup forward.
Valber Huerta – Chile – Universidad de Chile
Huerta could soon join Quintero and Lopez in Italy if rumours of a move to Inter or Udinese have any substance. Such links are justified by his string of assured performances in the heart of the Chilean defence, in which he formed an excellent partnership with his club-mate Igor Lichnovsky.
Strong and quick, Huerta times his tackles superbly and is more than comfortable stepping forward out of defence with the ball at his feet. In a Chile side who made a habit of picking up red cards – seven in nine matches – he was a rare composed figure, receiving not a single caution in any of the eight matches he was involved in.
Universidad de Chile have established a policy of keeping hold of their young players for long enough to gain some sporting success from their talents and are keen to retain Huerta until at least the end of 2013. Europe will eventually beckon, but for now La U seems the ideal place for Huerta to continue his development.
Jorge Rojas – Paraguay – Cerro Porteno
Paraguay came within a whisker of winning a first ever U20 championship title, but will be pleased enough with qualification for the World Cup in Turkey later this year. The country has a reputation for attritional football at senior level but the U20 side shared top scorer credits with Colombia.
The bright performances of Cerro Porteno winger Rojas had a prominent role to play in Paraguay’s offensive efficiency. With good feet and swift acceleration, he was a constant menace in possession, zipping away from challenges and moving his team forward. There was end product, too, with two goals and four assists underlining his importance to the side.
A regular at club level, Rojas will hope to take the momentum he has gathered in Argentina into the 2013 Copa Libertadores, in which Cerro have a group from which they will be confident of progressing. Already capped once by the senior national team, he looks to have a very promising future ahead of him.
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