Valentín Barco, the talented Argentinian LB, is all set to debut in the premier league with Brighton & Hove Albion FC.
Is it a big miss for Boca Juniors or a promising deal?
Well, Barco is a technically gifted touchline player who also loves to join the attacks. His technical ability and positioning flexibility stunned the whole world and helped to take Boca Juniors all the way to the Copa Libertadores Final.
Anyone will be surprised if the player does not make a market value of at least double what he is right now in a few years.
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Barco’s Pathway To Brighton
Is Brighton’s Valentín Barco’s latest star in the making?
Probably yes!
This 19-year-old Argentine kid got his way to Premier League club Brighton (now in the 8th position) at $10 million from Boca Juniors. Until June 2028, Brighton probably got their best prospect at a better deal.
Players like Alexis Mac Allister (2019), Moises Caicedo (2021), and Facundo Buonanotte (2023), coming from Barco’s part of the world, deserve more than what he has got in this deal.
However, Brighton’s belief in youngsters under De Zerbi was never in doubt! They are bold and have a typical singing method.
- Teenage sensation
- Small fee
- South America
- Tons of growth potential
- Relatively obscure
Most interestingly, Barco was used in five different positions in Boca from January to November last season. Though players with technical ability are common in the Premier League stage, those with positional awareness are difficult to find. Barco has nearly everything the premier league stage could ask for:
- He can play in a high-pressure situation
- Can simply beat defenders 1v1
- His crosses and low cutbacks can be dangerous to the opponent
Characteristics of Barco include being more of a veteran midfielder than a young wing-back. Barco’s build-up positioning is remarkably flexible: from the touchline to deep mid-field position and pushing up between the opposition line.
Who would not like to keep a player with such positioning flexibility?
The Bigger Picture
Roberto De Zerbi’s intention with the team is to retain his position under pressure, and Barco will be a permanent choice for him. Keeping in mind the manager’s intentions, Brighton focuses on recruiting players who are already good at ball retention on the field.
However, a few questions remain to answer, and for that, we need to watch Barco’s game with Brighton more.
- Would a loan be the best idea?
- Will Barco fit in the team?
- How much time will be spent in the field?
Well, as of now, Barco has only played one game, in the FA Cup, against the Wolves and lost 1-0. But we can hope for more time on the field for the player who is yet to debut in the Premier League.
When the question of loaning comes into terms, Barco is a player with modern positioning fluency. So, Barco’s foot will most likely fit De Zerbi’s ethos at Brighton.
Additionally, the Ecuadorian footballer Pervis Estupiñán has only two years left in his contract with the club, making it a perfect chance for the young Barco to be replaced slowly.
