Forward | Defensor | Uruguay

Skinny

Just how high Juan Boselli can climb in the game is hard to judge. In instances - fleeting sparks of inspiration - he is capable of the truly sublime. On other occasions, his inability to tellingly influence a match can be bewildering given the wealth of talent at his disposal.

It is likely a matter of age, as so often is the case, that has prevented Boselli from truly flourishing this year. The 19-year-old certainly has huge potential, but he has still got a long way to go before he could be considered ready to have an impact at a higher level of world football.

2018 has been…

…a period of some progress. Boselli has certainly become an established member of Eduardo Acevedo’s Defensor squad, though, starts have been relatively few and far between. The teenager has at least been a regular from the bench this year.

However, end product, or rather the ongoing lack of it, is a major problem. Two goals and three assists from 37 senior career outings since his February 2017 debut isn’t great and is probably the major issue preventing Boselli from forcing his way into the Defensor starting XI with greater regularity.

Whilst 34 of those appearances have come from the bench, his only two club goals in 2018 came in matches he started. The problem is, in order to accrue more starts, Boselli must develop the ability to have a tangible impact from the bench. Acevedo’s retained faith in the youngster is encouraging, and given Boselli’s tender years it is perhaps a touch harsh to be so damning of his lack of goal contributions, but given his talent and technical proficiency, a frustration is born from the notion that his dearth of end product is the only thing currently holding him back.

What next?

Score some goals, Juan. Please.

If Boselli could add a clinical edge to his game (easier said than done, granted), it is hard to imagine that the long, greedy reach of European football wouldn’t stretch out to pluck him from Defensor’s clutches before too long.

This is certainly a move Boselli would welcome. In his own words, “I would like to play in Europe and not have to go back”.

A talented but inconsistent South American ace can quickly become lost and forgotten in UEFA’s well-moneyed domain. European football is a fair target to have, but Boselli is not yet ready - at least on the evidence of 2018. His task for 2019, then, is to prove us wrong, step his game up a gear, and move a little close to that ultimate dream destination.

C - To grow your own South American sensation, just add goals