Some background, and then an article on the kid.
From the Random Shite thread:
And from the weekend results thread:
Ha!
Looks like Villarreal might strike gold again with this chap if this turns out to be a breakout season rather than just a one-off. The risk for them with this kid is that his history isn't the greatest, having been cut at age 16 from Estudiantes, and then wilting at Racing after a good start. So do they cash in after this season when the rich clubs come calling, or hold on to him for another season and hope for a better deal? They've already made a 4.5x profit on another Brazilian this season, sending Paulista to Arsenal for 13.2m after buying him for 2.9m a season ago.
Anyway, here's an interesting piece from last month on our link with the kid. I know this is taking this thread way off track but hey, the weekend games are over.
http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-...er----the-sky-is-the-limit-for-luciano-vietto
By Michael Yokhin
Dec 15, 2014
Do Liverpool regret passing on Villarreal striker Luciano Vietto?
In October 2011, Luciano Vietto was given his first team debut for Racing Club in Argentina. He only entered the field for five minutes towards the end of the game against Lanus, but for a 17-year-old kid that was a huge moment that will stay in his heart forever. Diego Simeone was the coach that day, and even though he left Racing just a few weeks later to take charge at Atletico Madrid, he remains a hero for the youngster.
"Simeone trusted me, and I will be thankful to him for the rest of my life", Vietto said, upon arriving to Spain to sign for Villarreal this summer.
On Sunday they met for the first time in Europe, as the Yellow Submarine came to Estadio Vicente Calderon to face the champions. Before the game started, Vietto went to the Atletico bench to greet Simeone, and the Argentines engaged in a long heartfelt hug. They looked like father and son who haven't seen each other for ages. Then the striker went to play and scored the winner against his mentor, to end Atletico's unbeaten home run that dated back to May 2013.
It was some goal as well. Receiving the ball from a soft Moi Gomez pass, Vietto turned sharply on the edge of the area to leave Diego Godin for dead -- very few strikers have managed to do that to the experienced Uruguayan stalwart this year. Then, before Miranda could block his effort, the new star unleashed a fierce shot to leave keeper Miguel Angel Moya with no chance whatsoever. 1-0 with six minutes to go. The proud home record of Los Colchoneros was gone.
(my comment: this is the goal against Atletico Madrid; when I saw this, the first striker I thought of was Torres)
Such magnificent skills are no surprise to those who witnessed the start of Vietto's career in the Avellaneda district of Buenos Aires. He got his full debut in the starting lineup of Racing in September 2012, against San Martin San Juan, nearly a year after Simeone has left. Coach Luis Zubeldia informed the youngster about his decision just a few minutes before kickoff, and received a stunning display -- Vietto scored a perfect hat-trick. The first goal was an amazing long range effort with his right, the second a header which is quite unusual for a slim kid of 173 centimeters, the third a brilliant half-volley with his left.
Rumours about the new prodigy compared to Sergio Aguero quickly reached Europe, and countless scouts went to see and evaluate the wonderkid. It was at that time, more than two years ago, that Liverpool were first linked to Vietto.
The list of suitors was extremely long. Naturally, Simeone's Atletico were one of the front runners, and they considered signing Vietto in the summer of 2013 after Radamel Falcao was sold to Monaco. Real Madrid reportedly offered 8 million euros a year ago and were told that the striker is not for sale as yet. Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, Inter, Napoli, Udinese, Sevilla, Valencia, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain were all mentioned as interested parties at one stage or another, and there were most probably tens of other clubs who became alerted. Even Leicester City tried their luck, while Nottingham Forest put a specific offer on the table in the summer.
Vietto's agent, Jorge Cyterszpiler, was a very busy man. He confirmed that Liverpool were amongst the clubs he talked to in 2013, while stating that: "Vietto is the best young player in Argentina". One would expect that his price would skyrocket with every passing month, but in reality the opposite happened. His form dipped a bit in the beginning of 2014, and Villarreal manager to secure the 20-year-old talent for just 5.5 million euros, signing him to a five-year contract.
Why didn't Liverpool try harder to get the man they have been following so closely for so long when he was available at such a low price? Someone at the club would be wise to answer that question because, on the face of it, this is a fiasco of massive proportions.
The Argentine has scored 10 goals and assisted seven more in just 22 games in all competitions this season, even though he was used as a substitute in the first few weeks. Compare that to contribution of the players who did arrive at Anfield in the summer. 16-million-pound-man Mario Balotelli has scored twice, none of them in the Premier League. Lazar Markovic, signed for 20 million pounds from Benfica, has barely played and is yet to find the net. Adam Lallana, bought for a cool 25 million, has two goals to his name. So does Rickie Lambert, who -- at about 4 million pounds plus add-ons -- cost approximately the same amount as Villarreal paid for Vietto.
To put it bluntly, Vietto has easily outscored all of Liverpool's summer acquisitions combined. The emotional comeback of Lambert to the club of his childhood is a superb story, and he certainly deserved his chance, but there is very little logic in paying that sum for a 32-year-old journeyman and refusing to do so for one of the best South American prospects on the market.
Vietto and Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone have a relationship that extends back to their time at Racing Club in Argentina.
Obviously, Liverpool had to convince Vietto that they are the right place for him, and that wasn't an easy task. Given his past, the striker could only go to the club that made him feel wanted, where he could be assured of playing time on weekly basis. Villarreal were able to offer that, while Luciano knew that his development might stall at a bigger club with a bigger squad.
That was a wise decision. When the striker was 16, he was released by Estudiantes who didn't believe in him in the slightest. He then went for a trial at Rosario Central and was told that he will never make it in football. Distraught, the youngster considered quitting the game altogether, only to be persuaded by his family, as well as Cyterszpiler, to give it another try. That's how he came to Racing, and that's where Simeone spotted him. Three years later, both were naturally delighted on Sunday night when their former club sensationally won the title in Argentina, without them.
"He is fast, makes smart moves and shoots the ball well with both feet," Simeone said before calling his protege into the first team in 2011. Now he could closely witness the progress Luciano has made since. Having scored just 18 goals in 72 games for Racing, his averages are much better in Spain thus far, and it looks like Villarreal coach Marcelino is able to get the best out of his star.
Intelligent on the run, tactically aware, technically sublime, dedicated and a great team player, the sky is the limit for Vietto, who could indeed become the new Aguero if he keeps his professional attitude and everything goes according to plan.
When that happens, expect Liverpool to be linked to him once again, but the price will be infinitely higher.
From the Random Shite thread:
And from the weekend results thread:
Ha!
Looks like Villarreal might strike gold again with this chap if this turns out to be a breakout season rather than just a one-off. The risk for them with this kid is that his history isn't the greatest, having been cut at age 16 from Estudiantes, and then wilting at Racing after a good start. So do they cash in after this season when the rich clubs come calling, or hold on to him for another season and hope for a better deal? They've already made a 4.5x profit on another Brazilian this season, sending Paulista to Arsenal for 13.2m after buying him for 2.9m a season ago.
Anyway, here's an interesting piece from last month on our link with the kid. I know this is taking this thread way off track but hey, the weekend games are over.
http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-...er----the-sky-is-the-limit-for-luciano-vietto
By Michael Yokhin
Dec 15, 2014
Do Liverpool regret passing on Villarreal striker Luciano Vietto?
In October 2011, Luciano Vietto was given his first team debut for Racing Club in Argentina. He only entered the field for five minutes towards the end of the game against Lanus, but for a 17-year-old kid that was a huge moment that will stay in his heart forever. Diego Simeone was the coach that day, and even though he left Racing just a few weeks later to take charge at Atletico Madrid, he remains a hero for the youngster.
"Simeone trusted me, and I will be thankful to him for the rest of my life", Vietto said, upon arriving to Spain to sign for Villarreal this summer.
On Sunday they met for the first time in Europe, as the Yellow Submarine came to Estadio Vicente Calderon to face the champions. Before the game started, Vietto went to the Atletico bench to greet Simeone, and the Argentines engaged in a long heartfelt hug. They looked like father and son who haven't seen each other for ages. Then the striker went to play and scored the winner against his mentor, to end Atletico's unbeaten home run that dated back to May 2013.
It was some goal as well. Receiving the ball from a soft Moi Gomez pass, Vietto turned sharply on the edge of the area to leave Diego Godin for dead -- very few strikers have managed to do that to the experienced Uruguayan stalwart this year. Then, before Miranda could block his effort, the new star unleashed a fierce shot to leave keeper Miguel Angel Moya with no chance whatsoever. 1-0 with six minutes to go. The proud home record of Los Colchoneros was gone.
(my comment: this is the goal against Atletico Madrid; when I saw this, the first striker I thought of was Torres)
Such magnificent skills are no surprise to those who witnessed the start of Vietto's career in the Avellaneda district of Buenos Aires. He got his full debut in the starting lineup of Racing in September 2012, against San Martin San Juan, nearly a year after Simeone has left. Coach Luis Zubeldia informed the youngster about his decision just a few minutes before kickoff, and received a stunning display -- Vietto scored a perfect hat-trick. The first goal was an amazing long range effort with his right, the second a header which is quite unusual for a slim kid of 173 centimeters, the third a brilliant half-volley with his left.
Rumours about the new prodigy compared to Sergio Aguero quickly reached Europe, and countless scouts went to see and evaluate the wonderkid. It was at that time, more than two years ago, that Liverpool were first linked to Vietto.
The list of suitors was extremely long. Naturally, Simeone's Atletico were one of the front runners, and they considered signing Vietto in the summer of 2013 after Radamel Falcao was sold to Monaco. Real Madrid reportedly offered 8 million euros a year ago and were told that the striker is not for sale as yet. Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester City, Everton, Inter, Napoli, Udinese, Sevilla, Valencia, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain were all mentioned as interested parties at one stage or another, and there were most probably tens of other clubs who became alerted. Even Leicester City tried their luck, while Nottingham Forest put a specific offer on the table in the summer.
Vietto's agent, Jorge Cyterszpiler, was a very busy man. He confirmed that Liverpool were amongst the clubs he talked to in 2013, while stating that: "Vietto is the best young player in Argentina". One would expect that his price would skyrocket with every passing month, but in reality the opposite happened. His form dipped a bit in the beginning of 2014, and Villarreal manager to secure the 20-year-old talent for just 5.5 million euros, signing him to a five-year contract.
Why didn't Liverpool try harder to get the man they have been following so closely for so long when he was available at such a low price? Someone at the club would be wise to answer that question because, on the face of it, this is a fiasco of massive proportions.
The Argentine has scored 10 goals and assisted seven more in just 22 games in all competitions this season, even though he was used as a substitute in the first few weeks. Compare that to contribution of the players who did arrive at Anfield in the summer. 16-million-pound-man Mario Balotelli has scored twice, none of them in the Premier League. Lazar Markovic, signed for 20 million pounds from Benfica, has barely played and is yet to find the net. Adam Lallana, bought for a cool 25 million, has two goals to his name. So does Rickie Lambert, who -- at about 4 million pounds plus add-ons -- cost approximately the same amount as Villarreal paid for Vietto.
To put it bluntly, Vietto has easily outscored all of Liverpool's summer acquisitions combined. The emotional comeback of Lambert to the club of his childhood is a superb story, and he certainly deserved his chance, but there is very little logic in paying that sum for a 32-year-old journeyman and refusing to do so for one of the best South American prospects on the market.
Obviously, Liverpool had to convince Vietto that they are the right place for him, and that wasn't an easy task. Given his past, the striker could only go to the club that made him feel wanted, where he could be assured of playing time on weekly basis. Villarreal were able to offer that, while Luciano knew that his development might stall at a bigger club with a bigger squad.
That was a wise decision. When the striker was 16, he was released by Estudiantes who didn't believe in him in the slightest. He then went for a trial at Rosario Central and was told that he will never make it in football. Distraught, the youngster considered quitting the game altogether, only to be persuaded by his family, as well as Cyterszpiler, to give it another try. That's how he came to Racing, and that's where Simeone spotted him. Three years later, both were naturally delighted on Sunday night when their former club sensationally won the title in Argentina, without them.
"He is fast, makes smart moves and shoots the ball well with both feet," Simeone said before calling his protege into the first team in 2011. Now he could closely witness the progress Luciano has made since. Having scored just 18 goals in 72 games for Racing, his averages are much better in Spain thus far, and it looks like Villarreal coach Marcelino is able to get the best out of his star.
Intelligent on the run, tactically aware, technically sublime, dedicated and a great team player, the sky is the limit for Vietto, who could indeed become the new Aguero if he keeps his professional attitude and everything goes according to plan.
When that happens, expect Liverpool to be linked to him once again, but the price will be infinitely higher.
