Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado has been linked with many clubs but there are strong rumours that this season’s newly emerged title favourites Liverpool are in the front line to grab the £20m rated Colombian International from Fiorentina this summer.
Here is a scout report of the Fiorentina player:
Nationality: Colombia
Age: 25
D.O.B: 26 May 1988
Height: 176cm
Position(s): Right Wing, Right Midfield, Right Back, Right Wingback
Preferred foot: Right
Cuadrado has been in fine form this season having netted 11 goals and assisted 7 in 42 appearances in all competitions. He has been bright in the Serie A with 7 goals and 5 assists as well as the Europa League where in 8 matches, he has scored 3 and assisted 3.
Juan Cuadrado is a typical manager’s favourite. His work rate and style of play allows him to play anywhere on the right side of the pitch as well as sometimes in the midfield region. His main assets are his pace, ball control, dribbling and stamina, overall which makes him a complete footballer. He has the stain power and the resilience that any potential league winning side would like in their team.
WHY HE WOULD BE A GOOD SIGNING?
Liverpool, no wonder are interested in the 25 year old. They lack a player who is powerful and can put in good attacking performances for the whole match. Most Liverpool players wear out by the hour mark, after which their flamboyant attacking display dwindles and the defenders get overworked. The testament to this fact is that Liverpool have notched up 56 goals in the first half while only 37 in the second half. The main argument here is the comparison with other rivals-Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Everton.
Chelsea and Arsenal, bereft of prolific goal scorers have notched up 38 and 39 goals in the second half without even having an attack minded 4-4-2 team. Manchester City have scored 49 goals in the second half while Everton have scored as many as their Merseyside rivals Liverpool- 37. This shows us that these rivals(with the exception of Manchester City) have a comparatively quieter forward line and still score as many goals as much as Liverpool who boast of the league’s top scorers. These rival teams can plan out different tactics because they have the players that can last the full 90 minutes with similar game style.
The only problem here for Liverpool can be the midfielders getting tired after a spell of 50 odd minutes on the pitch, which can prove devastating to a trophy-challenging team when playing in the Champions League, which they are bound to do next season.
Cuadrado can change this all. With his amazing dribbling and technical ability combined with his flair and stamina, he offers the long lasting threat on the pitch. Liverpool are over dependent on young Raheem Sterling, who is playing well, but as a youngster, he runs the risk of becoming injury prone once the all-important UCL sets in(ask Arsenal!). With Liverpool expected to sign a good quality central midfield player soon, Cuadrado can fit in the team and provide depth and dimensions to the Kops to sustain their status as title challengers and a Champions League club.
Scouting Cuadrado,
Stats via soccerstats.com