With Manchester City not quite firing on all cylinders this season, the reigning champions have decided to make moves in the January window to fuel the second half of their season.
One other reinforcement due to land in the coming weeks is Argentine wonderkid Claudio Echeverri, who has been compared to a certain eight-time-Ballon-d’Or-winning compatriot of his.
Man CityManchester City recently completed the signing of Claudio Echeverri on a four-and-a-half year contract[/caption]
Touted as a Lionel Messi regen, Echeverri was bought by the club in January 2024 and loaned back to C.A. River Plate for the rest of the year.
Once in Europe he was reportedly due to be off to City Football Group club Girona for another loan spell.
However, the club has now decided he will stay in England to be integrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad.
But just how good is he? What can he offer the blue side of Manchester? And is he really the next Messi?
When he arrived, C.A. River Plate knew they had a star on their hands.
From the Chaco province in Argentina, Echeverri had humble beginnings. His early life was shrouded in economic hardship.
Then, at nine-years old, he was uncovered by the club’s scouts.
“It’s difficult to bet on a player that is so young,” Gabriel Rodríguez, head of the C.A. River Plate youth setup, said.
“His home is over 800km away from Buenos Aires, and we therefore needed to bring his parents with him and find them jobs.”
But after seeing him play Rodríguez and River knew bringing him to the capital was the right decision. “He blew me away. He was and is a distinct talent. He had an amazing technical ability.”
He added: “He is a brave player that likes to take people on without fear of losing the ball.”
Hernan ‘Tano’ Santarsiero, an Argentine journalist covering C.A. River Plate, said: “When he arrived at the club you could notice the difference between him and the other players his age, and as he grew up this remained the case.”
At 19-years old and 5ft 7ins, the diminutive number 10 is great at linking play and adding to the creative flow of his side. He also offers tactical flexibility, having played in a variety of roles across the front three during his time at the Argentine giants.
This style of play has earned him the nickname El Diablito (the little Devil), named after former Bolivian footballer Marco Etcheverry nicknamed El Diablo, both earning the moniker due to their devilish dribbling.
When shown to River’s manager Martín Demichelis, the former Manchester City centre back said: “He is a diamond in the rough,” adding, “nobody doubts his technical talent and his [footballing] intelligence to solve different situations.”
Di Maria, another of Echeverri’s admirers, said after a training session with the Argentine national side: “He looked sharp, we definitely watched him. He has a lot to give.”
Now captaining his nation at the U-20 South American Youth Football Championship, El Diablito has again underlined his quality, making two assists and netting twice with two well taken goals in his sides 6-0 thrashing of Brazil in the opening game. He then got the only goal in a 1-1 draw against Colombia.
AFPFormer City star Martin Demichelis managed Echeverri during his time as River Plate boss[/caption]
With all that in mind it is easy to see why the player has been heralded as the heir apparent to Messi.
However, from Juan Iturbe to Paulo Dybala, whenever a slight South American talent pops up the European press can get carried away.
Trying to stop any comparisons, Rodríguez said he wouldn’t compare the two and doesn’t like to compare players across different eras in general.
However, Rodríguez was confident the youngster will have no problems adapting: “In terms of his character he reminds me of Julian Alvarez. He’s introverted, always smiling. Coaches don’t ever really have problems with him and it’s very difficult to find him in a sulk or looking down.”
“I am sure he has what it takes to adapt, but it will take time. He has the raw ability without question. But with the precision tactically and otherwise in the Premier League as well as the pace of the games, any player coming from South America will take time to adjust.”
Santarsiero suggested he would be better suited to a City Football Group club, claiming he lacks the physicality and strength required for the Premier League right now.
With Argentina expected to go deep in the tournament if not take home the trophy, it is likely he will be joining the club at the end of the tournament on February 16th.
What is clear is that one of the most exciting young talents in South America, if not world football, is on his way to England.
However, it may be unfair at this moment in time to draw comparisons to arguably the greatest player in the history of the game.
And for Cityzens keen to turn their season around, in the short term it is unlikely he will be a central cog in Pep Guardiola‘s machine-like Manchester City.