|
|
Better positioning, more aggression & increased concentration - Why Juventus are getting a better Martin Caceres than two seasons ago
The Uruguayan has started to show he could become the player many hoped he would be during his spell at Sevilla, and it all bodes well for the Old Lady as he gets set to return
26-Jan-2012 6:05:00 PM
Getty Images
ANALYSIS
By Kris Voakes & Ben Hayward
The deal is all but done now for Martin Caceres to return to Juventus 20 months after the end of a largely unsuccessful loan spell at the Stadio Olimpico in the 2009-10 season. But the Uruguayan will arrive from Sevilla on a €1.5 million loan deal which will become an €8m transfer come June, hoping to prove that he has changed just as much as Juve have since they parted ways two summers ago.
Caceres has looked a good prospect ever since emerging as a talented defender at Defensor in his homeland. A move to Villarreal followed, but the Uruguayan was immediately sent on loan to Recreativo Huelva. And it was his impressive performances for the Andalusians which saw Europe's big clubs take note, although a summer switch to Barcelona never really worked out as he was restricted to very few games.
His subsequent loan to Juventus was not a success either, due to both injuries and some poor performances in Serie A. But at Sevilla, Caceres has grown into the fine defender everybody believed he would become.
For it was those knocks which meant that often when he had half a window open in his bid to become a first-team regular, he was thwarted by physical ailments. An injury-free Caceres could now find himself in with a great shout of first XI status due to Juve's issues in the left-back slot this term.
With Giorgio Chiellini having been asked to fill in, Antonio Conte has been making the most of his best centre-back's versatility to patch up their weak spot. Now the Uruguayan could well use his experience with Sevilla to show that it is a new Caceres who joins a new-look Juve at their new stadium.
By Kris Voakes & Ben Hayward
The deal is all but done now for Martin Caceres to return to Juventus 20 months after the end of a largely unsuccessful loan spell at the Stadio Olimpico in the 2009-10 season. But the Uruguayan will arrive from Sevilla on a €1.5 million loan deal which will become an €8m transfer come June, hoping to prove that he has changed just as much as Juve have since they parted ways two summers ago.
Caceres has looked a good prospect ever since emerging as a talented defender at Defensor in his homeland. A move to Villarreal followed, but the Uruguayan was immediately sent on loan to Recreativo Huelva. And it was his impressive performances for the Andalusians which saw Europe's big clubs take note, although a summer switch to Barcelona never really worked out as he was restricted to very few games.
His subsequent loan to Juventus was not a success either, due to both injuries and some poor performances in Serie A. But at Sevilla, Caceres has grown into the fine defender everybody believed he would become.
| MENTAL ATTRIBUTES (Marks out of 5) |
| 2009-10 |
2011-12 |
|
 |
POSITIONING | |
|
AGGRESSION |
|
|
EXPERIENCE | |
|
CONCENTRATION |
|
|
DETERMINATION | |
|
LEADERSHIP | |
|
BIG-GAME PERFORMANCES |
|
| Looking at his spells at Juve and Sevilla in isolation, it is almost like looking at two different players. As our breakdown of attributes shows, there are countless areas in which he has made great strides. A tentative full-back and unaccomplished centre-half during his year with the Old Lady, he has worked hard on the areas of game in which he was failing in Turin. |
| TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTES (Marks out of 5) |
| 2009-10 |
2011-12 |
|
|
TECHNIQUE | |
|
CROSSING |
|
|
DRIBBLING |
|
|
SHOOTING | |
|
PASSING | |
|
TACKLING | |
|
SET PIECES |
|
|
LONG SHOTS |
|
Under Gregorio Manzano, and now Marcelino Garcia Toral, Caceres has improved his positional play and his awareness, while his extra experience has seen him mature and cut out some of the impulsive and rash errors which cost him at previous clubs. He returns to Juventus as a more complete defender than the one they had before. Now he must stay clear of injuries. |
||
http://u.goal.com/135700/135791.jpg
| PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES (Marks out of 5) |
| 2009-10 | 2011-12 |
|
|
PACE | |
|
HEADING |
|
|
INJURY PRONENESS |
|
|
STRENGTH |
|
|
STAMINA | |
| 46 / 100 |
OVERALL | 58 / 100 |
hAll of those problems can be attributed to his young age, as it is common for young defenders to get too anxious and failing to read plays as well as they should. If he can mature enough to understand the subtleties of his position and don't get caught up in discussions with opponents that distract him from the game, he is talented enough to become a great defender.ttp://u.goal.com/135700/135791.jpg
For it was those knocks which meant that often when he had half a window open in his bid to become a first-team regular, he was thwarted by physical ailments. An injury-free Caceres could now find himself in with a great shout of first XI status due to Juve's issues in the left-back slot this term.
With Giorgio Chiellini having been asked to fill in, Antonio Conte has been making the most of his best centre-back's versatility to patch up their weak spot. Now the Uruguayan could well use his experience with Sevilla to show that it is a new Caceres who joins a new-look Juve at their new stadium.
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
Inside Goal.Com
-
The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A
With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer
-
Euro 2012 Dream Team: Ronaldo & Van Persie feature
Goal.com puts together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
Euro 2012 Tactical Analysis: How far can Roy's masterplan take England?
England are a diminished lot, with the experienced players like Lampard, Gareth Barry and Gary Cahill all ruled out of the Euros. Goal.com's Sarthak Dubey analyses their chances..
-
Euro 2012 Trivia: Which team has no player from their domestic league?
In another episode today of Euro Trivia , we bring to you another tricky question..!
Which is the only team in Euro 2012 who have not called up a single player from their own domestic league?
A. Denmark.
B. Poland
C. Czech Republic
D. Republic of Ireland.
Test your knowledge with Goal.com and send in your response. -
Euro 2000 Legends: Zinedine Zidane, France
Zinedine Zidane led France to their second European success with his vital goals and important assists. Zizou masterminded the French revolution from his midfield throne...