Which players have shone at South American U20 Championship?

The South American Under-20 Championship in Colombia is sort of over, with the ultimate group-stage video games ending on Feb. 12 as the highest two groups Brazil and Uruguay face off to be topped winners.

But with loads of younger stars in motion, scouts have been busy protecting tabs on the following large expertise to emerge from the continent. So who has impressed and what sort of players are they?

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, extra (U.S.)

Arguably the participant of the match, Chelsea’s €12.5m January signing from Brazilian aspect Vasco da Gama has been in magnificent kind for his nation in the course of the match — scoring 5 objectives. Though sporting the No. 5 shirt historically worn by the archetypal Brazilian holding defensive midfielder, Santos’ energetic, decided type of soccer makes him influential all around the pitch.

As properly as shielding the centre-backs, profitable tackles and breaking apart the opponents’ play, the 18-year-old has proven his sensible ball-carrying skills (completely illustrated by a person aim towards Argentina through which he gained the ball in transition simply outdoors the centre circle and raced between the opposing centre-backs earlier than calmly putting the ball previous the goalkeeper.)

In addition to his forceful, progressive and dynamic type, Santos can be robust within the air and will get into the field with intelligently timed runs. The Brazil U20 captain seems to be like the perfect all-purpose central midfielder.

The Athletico Paranaense frontman has lived as much as pre-tournament expectations by netting six objectives in Colombia, which makes him the present prime scorer.

Already labelled a star within the making in his native county — Athletico paid €4.7m (a considerable charge in Brazil) to Cruzeiro to signal {the teenager} final 12 months — Roque is now attracting curiosity from main European golf equipment, with Barcelona reportedly main the chase.

Likened to ex-Barca star Luis Suarez in type, Roque has proved a menace for opposing centre-backs all through the match. Quick off the mark, direct and with a purposeful approach and ending abilities, he is ready to flip his marker with out being knocked off the ball.

While additionally able to exploiting house in vast areas, Roque loves discovering the hole between opposing centre-back and full-back and infrequently creates ending alternatives by way of fast bursts of tempo or early photographs.

Nico Paz, 18, AM, Argentina

The most naturally proficient member of Javier Mascherano’s disappointing Argentina U20 aspect that failed to achieve the ultimate stage, Paz was at all times on the entrance foot, was a continuing menace and added goal to the crew.

Whether deployed as an attacking No. 8 or spearheading a three-man midfield, the Spain-born playmaker showcased his glorious left foot and masterminded the offensive strikes in a crew that usually lacked finish product. Paz strikes expertly between the traces whereas making an attempt to keep up the crew’s attacking movement by way of neat, well-calibrated touches. Having already made a strong impression within the UEFA Youth League with Real Madrid Castilla, he could quickly have a chance to show his great dribbling abilities and silky approach at first-team stage.

Arguably the excellent centre-back of the match, the previous Corinthians defender made a mark together with his first-rate technical attributes in addition to inflexible, alert defending.

Signed by Zenit St Petersburg in early January, the left-footed Renan is just not solely environment friendly in his defensive duels — through which he reads the opponent properly with early interventions and anticipation — however he additionally offers decisively with one-vs.-ones even when dragged out of place into wider areas. Being the focus of distribution from the again, Renan’s capacity to play line-breaking passes out of defence, along with following up an early interception with a ahead run, is one other distinctive characteristic of his sport.

Luciano Rodriguez, 19, FW, Uruguay

The versatile Liverpool Montevideo ahead began out as a winger, however has ended up enjoying on both flank or by way of the center up entrance. Along with membership teammate Fabricio Diaz and Real Madrid’s Alvaro Rodriguez — each might have equally been highlighted — he has tormented defences in a vibrant, hard-hitting Uruguay crew and has 5 objectives to this point.

Having secured a transfer to the Uruguayan prime tier in early January from second division outfit Progreso, Rodriguez was a comparatively unknown high quality in his dwelling nation previous to the match. Even so, in Colombia he has caught the eye of scouts together with his unpredictable and unconventional particular person play — he can seem to make it up as he goes alongside in attacking one-vs.-one conditions, however by some means often beats his marker — and canny opportunism, greatest exemplified by his taking pictures capacity from outdoors the field.

Despite possessing considerably untidy shut management, his ability on the ball and starvation to win it again makes him extremely efficient, at all times incisive and decisive. At 19, he already shows formidable energy and energy, backed up with spectacular willpower, making him an intriguing prospect for European scouts questioning if he can develop in a prime membership setting.

Other notable players to look at:

Diego Gonzalez, 20, AM, Paraguay

A flexible left-footed midfielder who began the match on the wing, however his impression grew as he was moved infield to a No. 8 place. Based in Mexico with Celaya, he joined Lazio on a six-month mortgage deal final month and backs up a fantastic work ethic with glorious shut management and progressive runs previous opponents by way of central areas. A constant, dependable performer.

Justin Cuero, 18, FW, Ecuador

What he would possibly lack in consistency, Cuero made up for with flashes of penetrative working. On his day he can single-handedly tear up a defence by way of sheer pressure and willpower. While the Independiente del Valle ahead — who has scored two objectives within the match — nonetheless wants to shine his general sport, with time he might develop right into a ahead within the type of Colombia star Duvan Zapata.

Dario Osorio, 19, FW, Chile

An incisive winger whose penchant for tips, a exact and highly effective left foot, plus a artful nature, makes him exhausting to learn. Osorio has added moments of unpredictability to the Chile assault and, already an impactful pressure for membership aspect Universidad de Chile, he’s attracting high-profile European suitors.

Gustavo Puerta, 19, CM, Colombia

Puerta is a dynamic No. 8 who compensates for a scarcity of stature with nice willpower. An energetic, constant ball-carrier who tackles and presses too, the Colombia U20 captain is on mortgage at Nurnberg from Bayer Leverkusen.

Marlon Gomes, 19, CM, Brazil

As a lot as he could have discovered himself within the shadow of Santos at each Vasco da Gama and Brazil, Marlon encompasses a fantastic mix of inventive and defensive abilities. He breaks up the opponent’s play by way of sensible game-reading and intelligent positioning, earlier than breaking traces together with his passing or incisive motion.

David Emmanuel Martinez, 17, AM, Venezuela

Despite solely simply turning 17 a number of days in the past, Martinez has attracted loads of consideration in Colombia together with his beautiful management of the ball, burst of tempo and creativity, plus a simple working type. Though considerably over-reliant on his left foot, the Venezuelan — who nonetheless performs his membership soccer in his dwelling nation with Monagas SC — resembles a younger Leroy Sane in enjoying type.