The Copa America has eternally been a stage for a number of the brightest abilities from South America to go away their mark. Gamers who’re comparatively unknown earlier than the match can change into family names with some good performances. The worldwide stage is among the finest settings for any younger participant who desires of enjoying for his or her nation.
La Vinotinto inició con pundonor ante Brasil la CONMEBOL Copa América 2021.
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— FVF (@FVF_Oficial) June 14, 2021
Although this 12 months’s Copa America has been embroiled in all types of mess and logistical nightmares, the standard of the gamers can’t be disputed. FootTheBall is right here to speak about these shining lights who can show they will battle it out with the established stars and are sure superstars within the making themselves. One such participant who can have his breakout on this method is Cristian Casseres Junior, enjoying for Venezuela.
WHO IS CRISTIAN CASSERES JR?
Casseres Jr. is a central midfielder by commerce for the New York Purple Bulls and the Venezuelan nationwide group. Solely 21-years-old, he got here by the youth ranks of Atletico Venezuela the place he performed as a striker initially. He left quickly after and joined Deportivo La Guaira and was transformed right into a midfielder as a result of his eye for passing and build-up play.
His skilled debut got here on the age of 16 towards his previous membership within the high flight. Casseres Jr. quickly grew to become a daily member of the primary group as a result of his exploits within the centre of the park and the indicators of stardom had been firmly there. In 2018, he left his place of birth for the USA when the Purple Bulls got here calling. Initially, he was loaned out to their affiliate membership earlier than making his MLS debut in August.
#RojoxSiempre ?? pic.twitter.com/VDJ4EQ9A3a
— Cristian Casseres Jr. (@Casseres23) April 12, 2021
He was fast to ascertain himself as a starter, scoring three objectives whereas helping three extra. In simply his second season with the membership, he got here up with a passing accuracy of 73% and 29 interceptions in 2019. That paved the way in which for him to earn the membership’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months award and he has solely constructed on that status additional. This season, he has already scored three objectives (greater than the whole final 12 months) from simply seven video games and has already racked up 12 interceptions. He’s properly on his technique to having one other profession 12 months and the Copa America will solely function additional reminder of his immense potential.
Thanks to my group for this recognition!! I’ve grown rather a lot on this second 12 months with the group, thanks additionally to all of the followers that supported us through the season. Subsequent 12 months it’s going to be a greater one… ??⚽️ @NewYorkRedBulls @TCsportsmngmt pic.twitter.com/jFUbszGf3Q
— Cristian Casseres Jr. (@Casseres23) November 12, 2019
Internationally, Casseres Jr. made his senior group debut in October of final 12 months after coming by the ranks of the U17 group with whom he performed the 2017 Soccer Championship and the U20 World Cup. He has garnered seven appearances for Venezuela thus far and performed their first match of Copa America towards Brazil on Sunday.
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Casseres Jr. is generally deployed within the centre midfield, however can even push on or fall again successfully relying upon the scenario of the sport. He’s extraordinarily fast and agile, utilizing his fairly quick body (5’9”) to nice impact. What has been actually exceptional for him nonetheless, is how rapidly he has improved in simply a few years.
In 2020, he bettered his numbers of passing accuracy, photographs on course and profitable dribbles from 73%, 35%, and 38% to 77%, 55%, and 57% respectively. Cassseres Jr. ranks within the excessive 85 percentile of gamers in that final class, however he really shines when doing the defensive work in matches. Amongst comparable gamers within the MLS, he averages 3.97 tackles P90 and a couple of.74 blocks P90- each of that are among the many high tiers of elite play. He’s additionally adept in making use of stress, interceptions, and aerials which have developed into essential features of his total sport.
To this point within the season, out of 810 gamers Casseres leads the League in tackles ???? @Casseres23 #MLS pic.twitter.com/Tba7YKtD7b
— T&C Sports activities Mngmt (@TCsportsmngmt) May 18, 2021
He’s quietly creating right into a world-class disruptor-in-chief for his group and it’ll not be lengthy earlier than the large golf equipment in Europe clamour after him. Talking of his offensive sport, as talked about above, Casseres Jr. has been in effective type this season. He additionally confirmed his potential from set items in his aspect’s final match earlier than the World Cup qualifiers, putting a candy free kick into the highest nook from 20 yards out.
You merely can’t hit it any higher than this. Take a bow, @ccasseres23! pic.twitter.com/NRJr4bsSTO
— New York Purple Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) May 29, 2021
If he can hold banging in objectives at a superb tempo, and given his affinity to harass opponents each time they’ve the ball- Casseres Jr. has all of the makings of a younger N’Golo Kante who can rating too. For Venezuela, he has performed each in the midst of the park in addition to the left aspect of a four-man midfield, which is a sign of his versatility that will likely be of nice use if they’re to make the knockouts.
In opposition to Brazil, he received probably the most duels (9) and accomplished 4/5 dribbles with a passing accuracy of 77%, together with creating two probabilities over 84 minutes. Thus, we will see simply how essential Casseres Jr. is to his nationwide group and will likely be a participant closely relied upon to offer that dominating presence towards additional opponents.
BOOMING FACTOR
Casseres Jr. will certainly be a very powerful defensive presence within the midfield of his groups. The way in which he can intercept and time his tackles to perfection will likely be a key side of his play in years to return. Moreover, he’s additionally a incredible reader of the sport in understanding when to place the blocks in and shifting rapidly with the ball when an opposition assault does break down. His dribbling numbers counsel he does wish to tackle his opponents, and is usually profitable in beating them outright.
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— New York Purple Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) October 21, 2020
Moreover, Casseres Jr. is just not unhealthy at having a pop at purpose which is all the time an appreciative high quality. His rising prowess from set items will likely be referred to as upon, particularly contemplating Venezuela’s lack of confirmed star names. All of which mixes to present a really feel that if he can ship constantly over the course of the Copa America, it won’t be lengthy earlier than his market worth goes by the roof.
PREDICTION FOR COPA AMERICA
Casseres Jr. was set to be a starter in any case for his nationwide aspect, even earlier than their horrendous luck with COVID-19. Venezuela needed to name in 14 extra gamers on the eve of their opening match which they went on to misplaced 3-0. However, the 21-year-old was one of many higher performers on the evening and is bound to get extra sport time because the match progresses.
Felicidad ?? pic.twitter.com/oZWpL7YLWH
— Cristian Casseres Jr. (@Casseres23) November 12, 2020
What is usually a matter of debate is whether or not enjoying him on the left fairly than down the center is actually the very best use of his burgeoning qualities. His significance to the aspect nonetheless is just not a matter of query for they want all of the expertise they will get at this level. Although he is among the newer entrants, Casseres Jr. will likely be a daily starter for a lot of, a few years beginning along with his debut main worldwide match this 12 months.
IDEAL LANDING SPOT
Casseres Jr. signed a multi-year extension to his authentic contract in 2020 and it does seem to be he will likely be staying in the USA a minimum of for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, within the enterprise of soccer, fortunes change quick so it is going to be no shock if he’s certainly signed by some European membership quickly.
Arsenal is usually a potential vacation spot with the Gunners on the lookout for a stable accomplice for Thomas Partey after the upcoming departure of Granit Xhaka and finish of mortgage for Dani Ceballos. Even German golf equipment will likely be a robust space of curiosity, like Hoffenheim or Hertha Berlin the place he can proceed his improvement earlier than an excellent larger switch which is just about a certainty.