Chilean LB. http://sportwitness.co.uk/watford-linked-south-american-left-back-strange-claims/ Just signing on to point out that we must sing 'Viva Seb Vegas' if he signs pls. Thanks.
He appears to actually be more of a CB than a LB, at least as of this season anyway (maybe he played more at LB when younger). He has been capped 4 times by Chile overall, with those caps coming in Chile's most recent 4 matches. 2 of his caps were from the bench, 2 of them were starting. All of them were at CB. One of his starts was a 0-0 draw against a strong Argentina side in a friendly last September. Only 4 caps may make a work permit tricky, but the fact that they've come in their last 4 games and Chile are ranked 15th in the world by FIFA may help. Anyone have more of an idea? This highlights video below from one of his Mexican league matches this season also sees him playing as CB (number 6). He certainly looks quick for a CB, decent with both feet and lots of energy. Some good dribbling but also some iffy passing. Seems similar perhaps to a hybrid of Kabasele and Marcos Rojo. A quick CB who could also fill in at LB if needed does sound like something our squad could do with at the mo.
For 15th in the world it's played in 45% of their (competetive) matches in the last 2 years. He obviously doesn't have that but it may help in an appeal. The Pozzos have had good luck with Chilean players before with Alexis Sanchez, Isla (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauricio_Isla) and Orellana (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabián_Orellana)
Why all the clamour for a left back? I think we are OK in that position with Holebas, Massina & now Kiko who appears to play better there than at RB. We should be looking for a Right back ahead of a Left Back IMO.
Holebas turns 36 in June and his contract expires at the end of the season. Kiko has done well in a couple of games at LB but is primarily a RB. His history with us has also suggested his form comes and goes. Masina, although looking more promising, is yet to prove himself. Perfectly understandable that we are looking at a LB.
Sure he's been doing it week in week out at Caesar's Palace, but will it translate to performing against Crystal Palace on a cold wet Tuesday night?
He's just been named in the Mexican League team of the season too so that could help. After all, we did manage to get Essaid Belkalem playing for us and he was the recipient of Third Best Young Player in the Algerian League...
To be fair, pay enough in wages and transfer fee and you're pretty much guaranteed a work permit now anyway.