4 players to watch at Copa America that would be an ideal fit for Premier League
Major tournaments can often be a treasure trove of unheralded or undiscovered talents; managers from some of the game’s most illustrious club sides will have a keen eye on the Copa America this summer with that in mind. Running a … Continue reading →

Major tournaments can often be a treasure trove of unheralded or undiscovered talents; managers from some of the game’s most illustrious club sides will have a keen eye on the Copa America this summer with that in mind.

Running a scrupulous rule over the squads set to launch a tilt for glory in Chile, there’s a clutch of players poised to make an impression in the South American showpiece.

Here’s a closer look at four players who you may have heard of, never actually seen play before, but are well worth watching for the duration of this tournament. You suspect scouts from the best sides around will be keeping a keen eye on them too.

Programming note: Even if you don’t have a TV subscription to beIN SPORTS, you can watch all of the Copa America games live on fuboTV for just $6.99 per month. The service streams the beIN broadcast in HD to your computer, tablet, smartphone, Roku, Chromecast or Amazon Fire.

Roberto Firmino – Brazil

Roberto Firmino’s catalogue of no-look finishes, including the one he scored against Chile in a 1-0 win at the Emirates earlier this year, set social media ablaze throughout the 2014-15 season, but there’s an incision and an effectiveness to complement the panache that makes the midfielder look a bit of fancy Dan.

Indeed, the Hoffenheim starlet will have to shoulder some major responsibility this summer. While Neymar remains Brazil’s talismanic figure, Firmino looks set to be deployed at the furthermost point of this Selecao strike force; it’s a facet of the side that has posed problems aplenty for Brazil ever since Fred’s ornamental displays at he World Cup.

It’s not his most effective position, granted, but Firmino possesses the versatility to do an effective job there. He’s sharp in his movements and can stretch defenses with some intelligent darts in behind, but we’re more likely to see the 21-year-old detaching himself from the back-four to pick the ball up and feeding the surges of his skipper and Willian.

Firmino is more than capable of doing damage on the ball himself too. Blessed with dazzling dribbling skills, telepathic vision and a composed head in front of goal, there’s little surprise this burgeoning talent has been linked with some of European football’s biggest names. Some aesthetic efforts in this tournament will only serve to enrich his growing reputation.

Ideal Fit – Liverpool

The Reds have an excess of attacking midfield players, but if Firmino, who is a class above some of Liverpool’s current options, is to head to the Premier League, Anfield would be a brilliant option. While it may mean biding his time in terms of playing in the Champions League, he’d get regular games on Merseyside and add a gripping new dimension to the team’s forward forays.

Charles Aranguiz – Chile

Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Juventus’ Arturo Vidal are the headline acts for this Chile team, but in Aranguiz, there’s another La Roja star who has steadily been enhancing his own status on the international scene: Charles Aranguiz

The Internacional midfielder seems to shine whenever he dons the national team colors. His multifaceted displays at the heart of Chile’s midfielder last summer were understated as La Roja strode into the knockout stages with a swagger. Combative, ferocious in the tackle and astute in possession, Aranguiz seems to boast all the requisite traits to flourish in the Premier League.

As was evident by his thunderous effort in the penalty shootout against Brazil last summer, the 26-year-old takes a mean spot-kick too.

Up to now, no side from European football has decided to take a punt on Aranguiz, but he has admitted it would be “a dream” to play for Arsenal, per Tom Matson of Goal.com, who have been linked with the player. He may not command the kind of gravitas his superstar teammates possess at his juncture, but if a top team do decide to move for Aranguiz on the back of an accomplished Copa performance, the midfielder would be a savvy acquisition.

Ideal Fit – Arsenal

Francis Coquelin did a fine job bolstering Arsenal’s notoriously flimsy midfield in the second half of the season, but the Gunners still need to add another player capable of blending finesse and ferocity in the middle of the field. Arsene Wenger is a man renowned for picking up bargain buys and Aranguiz would be a relatively cheap solution should the Frenchman look to bolster other areas.

Jesus “Tecatito” Corona

Mexico’s invitation to the Copa America completes a busy summer for El Tri, but as is obvious by the squad named by Mexico manager Miguel Herrera, the Gold Cup—scheduled to be played after the Chile tournament—is this nation’s priority. But it gives an opportunity for players on the fringes to shine on a massive stage, including Jesus “Tecatito” Corona.

Indeed, so impressive has the FC Twente man been this season in the Eredivisie, he is likely to feature in both the Copa and Gold Cup for Mexico. He may not play quite as a significant role in the CONCACAF championship, but in Chile the onus will be on the winger too add some verve to El Tri’s functionality.

If he can reproduce the kind of form showcased in the Dutch top flight, we should be in for a treat too. Operating primarily from the right-hand side, Tecatito is a wonderful dribbler, but as is evident by his return of nine goals and four assists in the Eredivisie this season, per WhoScored.com, there’s some substance to his end product too.

What will attract even more suitors is Corona’s defensive determination. He’s a player that’s not shy when it comes to grafting back for the team and as part of a Mexico XI lacking in star quality, that side of his game will be on show in earnest this summer.

However, Tecatito will be desperate to showcase his offensive talents with the world watching.

Ideal Fit – Everton

With Steven Pienaar blighted by injury problems in 2014-15, Everton really missed the South African’s intricacy and intelligence on the ball. Tecatito would surely jump at the chance to join a Premier League club and his playing style would be perfect to help propel the Toffees back towards the upper echelons of the Premier League table.

Nicolas Otamendi – Argentina

Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez—it’s absolutely no surprise that plenty are excited about watching Argentina this summer. But what sets this current squad apart from previous years is the quality of defensive options available to Tata Martino, including Nicolas 22-Otamendi.

After moving to Valencia from Porto last summer, the Albiceleste star has established himself as one of the premier central defenders in La Liga. Otamendi is a forceful presence at the heart of the back four and almost indomitable in one-on-one battles. But aside from his brute physicality, there are refined defensive instincts and a very underrated passing range to admire.

There’s been talk of some money-spinning offers from Manchester United, who are looking to lure the defender into a transfer for the second consecutive transfer window; there’s little denying he’d be an upgrade on the Red Devils current options. But this Copa will be a fine opportunity to accrue some more perspective on just how good Otamendi is.

Argentina have been perennial failures when it comes to major tournaments and often a dearth of defensive fortitude has been their undoing. If Otamendi can add the steel this team needs to end their 22-year silverware drought, he’ll win over those that remain unconvinced by his calibre and potentially earn himself a switch to one of the game’s elite outfits.

Ideal Fit – Manchester United

While the Red Devils finished the 2014-15 season with a decent defensive record, the heroics of David de Gea between the sticks was a key contributing factor. The fact remains that Louis van Gaal should be looking to draft in a high-class central defender and although interest in Otamendi has long been reported, you suspect the Dutchman will be paying close attention to the Valencia star in Chile this summer.

Follow Matt on Twitter @MattJFootball