Overlooked by powerhouse clubs like Liverpool, Napoli and Valencia, Luciano Vietto has exceeded expectations and repaid Villarreal for bringing him to Europe.
Vietto, 21, was acquired in the summer by the Yellow Submarines for just 5.5 million euros and they are in contention to qualify for the next installment of the UEFA Champions League, mainly because of him.
Following his move from Racing Club, it took the little Argentine that’s dubbed the next Sergio Aguero some time to settle, but since he’s gotten his opportunity, he’s been a force to be reckoned with. In 13 starts in all competitions, Vietto has recorded 10 goals and four assists. Villarreal has won nine, lost one and tied one of the 11 games he’s either recorded a goal or an assist
Those who have been following Vietto since he began his career at the age of 17 will not be surprised by his success. Handed his debut by now-Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone in October 2011, the Córdoba Province native’s attributes was what impressed the brilliant coach.
"He is fast, makes smart moves and shoots the ball well with both feet," Simeone said before calling Vietto into the first team.
Simeone’s assessment was spot on, and three years later, his side’s unbeaten home run that dated back to the middle of 2013 was snapped by the magical Vietto in the 84th minute of their encounter.
Receiving the ball just outside the box, Vietto eluded Diego Godin with a brilliant turn, accelerated into the box and calmly sealed Atletico’s fate with a stunning right-footed finish. The goal was truly spectacular. The forward’s brilliant display of skill and composure against the reigning La Liga champions epitomized his incredible talent.
The Argentine youth international is so special; his agent Jorge Cyterszpiler called him “the best young player in Argentina” in 2013.
Unlike most striking protégés, Vietto isn’t an athletic maniac that can outrun and outmuscle every defender. What makes him special is his brain. His intellectual acuity combined with nimble and deceptive feet separates him from most of the raw talents in the world.
Bleacherreports.com’s Daniel Edwards brilliantly summarized Vietto’s skillset in two paragraphs.
“Used correctly, Vietto is capable of so much more. He is an intelligent, hard-working second striker, adept at dropping deep and linking up with the midfield before bursting into the area.
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Vietto can score with both feet and his head. He has no fear when it comes to taking people on, but his best asset is his brain. If the pass is on to a better-situated team-mate, he will take it.”
The attributes stated in the preceding sentences allows scouts to compare Vietto to one of the best forwards in the world, Aguero.
Both players are motivated, calculated and perspicacious. They’re superior understanding of their position and skill required to break down defenses makes it easy to succeed in any environment.
Just like Aguero, Vietto has scored most of his goals in Spain inside the box, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a goal from distance. He makes smart runs into the box, is composed in front of goal, turns away from pressure elegantly, his change of direction is splendid and most importantly, he is confident.
However, Vietto isn’t close to the level that Aguero is at right now because he is still a raw talent. He possesses the qualities of a top-class forward, but they still need to be molded into finished products before he be accepted into the upper echelons of football.
We can only speculate whether or not Vietto will become a footballing great one day, but what is certain is that Villarreal has and will continue to benefit from signing him. The club has a shot at competing in the biggest club competition next season and their star man continues to draw interest from the huge clubs. It’s only a matter of time before he is shipped out and it’s safe to assume that the Yellow Submarines will not let him go for anything less than 11 million euros.
Vietto, 21, was acquired in the summer by the Yellow Submarines for just 5.5 million euros and they are in contention to qualify for the next installment of the UEFA Champions League, mainly because of him.
Following his move from Racing Club, it took the little Argentine that’s dubbed the next Sergio Aguero some time to settle, but since he’s gotten his opportunity, he’s been a force to be reckoned with. In 13 starts in all competitions, Vietto has recorded 10 goals and four assists. Villarreal has won nine, lost one and tied one of the 11 games he’s either recorded a goal or an assist
Those who have been following Vietto since he began his career at the age of 17 will not be surprised by his success. Handed his debut by now-Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone in October 2011, the Córdoba Province native’s attributes was what impressed the brilliant coach.
"He is fast, makes smart moves and shoots the ball well with both feet," Simeone said before calling Vietto into the first team.
Simeone’s assessment was spot on, and three years later, his side’s unbeaten home run that dated back to the middle of 2013 was snapped by the magical Vietto in the 84th minute of their encounter.
Receiving the ball just outside the box, Vietto eluded Diego Godin with a brilliant turn, accelerated into the box and calmly sealed Atletico’s fate with a stunning right-footed finish. The goal was truly spectacular. The forward’s brilliant display of skill and composure against the reigning La Liga champions epitomized his incredible talent.
The Argentine youth international is so special; his agent Jorge Cyterszpiler called him “the best young player in Argentina” in 2013.
Unlike most striking protégés, Vietto isn’t an athletic maniac that can outrun and outmuscle every defender. What makes him special is his brain. His intellectual acuity combined with nimble and deceptive feet separates him from most of the raw talents in the world.
Bleacherreports.com’s Daniel Edwards brilliantly summarized Vietto’s skillset in two paragraphs.
“Used correctly, Vietto is capable of so much more. He is an intelligent, hard-working second striker, adept at dropping deep and linking up with the midfield before bursting into the area.
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Vietto can score with both feet and his head. He has no fear when it comes to taking people on, but his best asset is his brain. If the pass is on to a better-situated team-mate, he will take it.”
The attributes stated in the preceding sentences allows scouts to compare Vietto to one of the best forwards in the world, Aguero.
Both players are motivated, calculated and perspicacious. They’re superior understanding of their position and skill required to break down defenses makes it easy to succeed in any environment.
Just like Aguero, Vietto has scored most of his goals in Spain inside the box, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a goal from distance. He makes smart runs into the box, is composed in front of goal, turns away from pressure elegantly, his change of direction is splendid and most importantly, he is confident.
However, Vietto isn’t close to the level that Aguero is at right now because he is still a raw talent. He possesses the qualities of a top-class forward, but they still need to be molded into finished products before he be accepted into the upper echelons of football.
We can only speculate whether or not Vietto will become a footballing great one day, but what is certain is that Villarreal has and will continue to benefit from signing him. The club has a shot at competing in the biggest club competition next season and their star man continues to draw interest from the huge clubs. It’s only a matter of time before he is shipped out and it’s safe to assume that the Yellow Submarines will not let him go for anything less than 11 million euros.