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Float little a butterfly, sting like a hornet: can Iturbe turns things around in the Premier League?
But who exactly is this talented 22-year-old, and what has happened since he was billed as “the next Lionel Messi” in line for greatness?
The former Argentine Under-20 international began his professional career with Cerro Porteño in Paraguay, where he was so impressive that the local federation would repeatedly try to coax him into playing for the national team.
Joining Porto after he turned 18 in 2011, Iturbe was loaned to River Plate for the second half of the 2012-2013 campaign before moving to Verona, the birthplace of Romeo and Juliet, on a season-long loan.
It was with the Scaligeri that Iturbo blossomed, turning into a mouth-watering prospect.
Deployed on the right side of a 4-3-3 that was set up to sit back, counter and make the most of his deadly left foot, the then 20-year-old excelled, his opponents unable to find answers to his explosive pace, flair and dribbling.
Comparisons to Messi weren’t entirely unjustified, either, with La Pulguita (the Little Flea) only too happy to surge past defenders with the ball practically glued to his left foot.
Going on large dazzling runs and always looking to become involved in his side’s attack, Iturbe was quickly identified as the key youngster to keep your eye every Sunday.
Conversely, his weaknesses (especially his passing) were overshadowed by his great technical skill. Iturbe averaged just 73% passing accuracy, which was the third lowest out of his side excluding goalkeepers.
While his decision making skills would later worsen in the capital, the former Porto man created 39 chances in his single season with Verona, the second most of his teammates.
Impressively adding 8 goals to his name during this period, the former Argentina U20 international helped Verona soar, Andrea Mandorlini’s side climbing as high as sixth place in the second half of the 2013-2014 season.
While the team would fall to 10th by the end of the campaign, Iturbe showed what he was capable of, and many expected a move to a bigger club.
Brimming with confidence, the offers arrived. Interestingly enough, the Old Lady of Italian of football was set to capture the pacey winger in the summer of 2014, but the departure of Antonio Conte – a big fan of his, unlike Giuseppe Marotta-
derailed the process. Roma, for their part, didn’t think twice about acquiring Iturbe for a whopping €24.5 million.
Unfortunately, it’s at this point that things started to go south. Roma were coming off an impressive season – Rudi Garcia’s first with the club – finishing second and even registering 10 wins a row. Big sums were spent in order to improve squad depth to adequately compete in the Champions League and, more importantly, challenge for the Scudetto and dethrone Juventus.
Trouble is, the arrivals of the likes of Iturbe, Kostas Manolas, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Seydou Keita weren’t enough to make up for the club’s tactical deficiencies. Simply put, in two-and-a-half years in Rome, Coach Rudi Garcia has yet to develop a Plan B. Things went swimmingly when the Frenchman set up his side to sit back and counter during his maiden campaign.
However, when opponents began to flip the script, the Giallorossi couldn’t come up with an answer. That’s where the wheels came off for Iturbe, who struggled in a more possession based style against packed defences, especially when operating without a clear attacking plan laid out from his coach.
Afforded little space to attack and with squad confidence levels heavily fluctuating in the capital, it hasn’t been easy for Iturbe to become acclimated to the heightened tempo of a bigger club, especially all the pressure inherent with playing in Rome – a city where seven independent radio chat shows argue about training sessions, never mind games.
The 22-year-old made 27 appearances last term, creating 16 chances and netting just twice, with his shooting accuracy falling from 49% to 29% from a year prior. This term hasn’t been any better, Iturbe scoring just once and creating 6 chances in 12 appearances.
Often visibly frustrated on the pitch, Iturbe has yet to rekindle the spark that made him so dangerous in Verona.
Then again, perhaps his transfer to Watford will do the trick. The Argentinean has averaged 55% successful take-ons over the past three seasons, a testament of his neat ballwork and skill, and a positive sign in a Premier League where defenders allow their opponents a little more space than in the cynical Serie A.
Whatever the case is, Iturbe is only 22, and still in his formative years. A breath of fresh air may be all he needs to mature into the player we saw dazzling onlookers at Verona. Partner him with Odion Ighalo, and with a coach who like Sanchez Flores who isn’t averse to the counter…and you may just capture lightning in a bottle.
