22     Striker     Bordeaux     Uruguay

Skinny

Four goals in the South American Youth Championships in 2013 seemed to be enough to earn Diego Rolán a move to Bordeaux at the beginning of 2013. However it took the forward some time to get settled in France and his new surroundings. For a while it looked as though Bordeaux may have been sucked in by a ‘purple patch’ at the tournament.

However those worries were put to rest somewhat last season when injuries meant that Rolán enjoyed an extended run in the first team. He took on the role of the club’s leading striker from Cheick Diabate and responded with 15 goals.

Despite a slight looking frame, Rolán is a strong lad. He has pace to burn and is a determined goal scorer, unwilling to give up on any opportunity until it is out of his reach. In front of goal he has a calmness that can’t be coached. He is a composed finisher and an assured penalty taker.

Happy and able to play anywhere across the front line, Rolán isn’t great when asked to be an isolated front man but with partners around him, he looks comfortable. Great at running in possession and coming inside to the back post, Rolán is a perfect second striker that will drop into the midfield when the opposition have the ball.

2015 has been…

All things considered, the last 12 months have gone pretty well. A hatful of goals in Ligue 1 last season and a starting spot at the Copa America for Uruguay are hard to argue with. He is yet to find his groove in the league this year but a difficult ‘second season’ isn’t anything to panic about.

Rolán was something of a second thought last season for opposition teams; and now that they know to keep an eye out for him he is struggling to find the back of the net with the regularity. In fairness no-one at Bordeaux is having the impact that they had – where last season they were flirting with European qualification, this year there is an immediate need to drag themselves clear of the relegation zone.

What’s next?

At both domestic and international level, Diego Rolán needs to cement himself as a regular starter. Injuries to his team-mates at club level opened the door at Bordeaux and he stepped confidently through. The retirement of Diego Forlan and the lengthy international suspension handed out to Luis Suarez did the same in the Uruguay side and Rolán filled the void admirably there as well.

Now that both Cheick Diabate and Luis Suarez are back on the scene, he needs to knuckle down and prove himself worthy of all the fluster. If he can do that he’ll score goals wherever he likes.

C+     Needs to go again