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Claudio Echeverri - Little Devil, Big Future?

5 min Read

A year on from Echeverri’s break­through at the U17 World Cup, we use Wyscout data to analyze the highly-rated enganche following his move from River Plate to Manchester City.

Such is the race to unearth the latest sensation from South America, players are getting scouted and recruited younger and reputations can go from ‘the next Messi’ to ‘overhyped child star’ in the blink of an eye. It already seems a long time ago that Claudio Echeverri was the hottest thing in Argentina and promptly snapped up by Manchester City. This January will finally see El Diablito make the move to The Etihad after a testing 2024.

City aren’t the only heavy hitters to have struggled and while Pep Guardiola’s Premier League title defence flounders, across the Atlantic it’s been a torrid year for giants River Plate too. Not even the return of manager Marcelo Gallardo could revitalise the Millonarios and as such Echeverri hasn’t had the most fertile ground from which to grow. 

There will be few tears shed among the River faithful who will feel it’s a premature move, denying them and Echeverri the opportunity to enjoy any kind of legacy but it’s worth calling to attention just why City wanted the teenager in the first place.

A star of River Plate’s youth sides and Argentina under-15s and under-17s, Echeverri immediately looked a cut above those around him and was earmarked as a potential heir to the famous Albiceleste number 10 shirt.

A diminutive 170 cm tall, Echeverri is in many ways the archetypal Argentine playmaker, floating behind the striker and drifting to wherever he can receive the ball into feet whether that be deeper in midfield or wide.

Claudio Echeverri's Dribbles in the Final Third - Wyscout Player Report

Outstanding in finding those spaces, receiving on the half turn, and having the quick feet and acceleration to get away from his marker, Echeverri has the makings of a quintessential Guardiola player. 

The close control and burst of pace saw Echeverri among the top dribblers in this year’s CONMEBOL Libertadores in River’s run to the semifinals. His 6.64 dribbles per 90 across all competitions illustrated his ability and the youngster’s confidence to try and make things happen for what on many occasions was a misfiring River. 

Dribbles per 90 in the 2024 CONMEBOL Libertadores - Wyscout Rankings

Such is Echeverri’s capacity to beat his man you might argue there should have been more end product during a season somewhat disrupted by his call up to the Olympics. Four goals and four assists across 40 appearances in all competitions leaves plenty of room for improvement but it’s worth noting that in only 14 of those did Echeverri play more than 70 minutes. 

Claudio Echeverri's Passing in Key Areas - Wyscout Player Report

Despite coming in and out of the side, Echeverri was heavily involved. Both receiving the ball and giving it, his 41.97 passes per 90 put him among the most for attacking players across the league, only marginally behind Newell’s Old Boys veteran playmaker Éver Banega. 

The former Argentina international had the luxury of operating far deeper and in space, as opposed to Echeverri largely deployed in the final third. The younger man was a far more dynamic presence and with 2.14 shot assists per 90 in the Liga Profesional de Fútbol perhaps will be a little disappointed not to have a few more assists. 

Claudio Echeverri's Penalty Area Deliveries - Wyscout Player Report

Another of the difficulties facing River’s attack is the amount of times they face a low-block and bodies packed behind the ball, yet Echeverri is still progressive in both his passing and running. Manchester City often face similar issues against opponents and finding ways to move the team forward is vital. 

Echeverri’s ball carrying makes him excellent in the transition and his 3.49 progressive runs per 90 even against those types of defences often help create dangerous situations. 

Claudio Echeverri's Ball Progression - Wyscout Player Reports

Goals at youth level were certainly not a problem for Echeverri. His U17 World Cup hat trick against Brazil which helped alert many scouts to his talent is testimony to that, but they haven’t been as easy to come by at senior level.

Four goals in 2024, underperforming his xG of 7.06, suggests Echeverri has been a little wasteful in front of goals at times, something which would be applicable to any number of River Plate players this term. Yet his striking technique is excellent off his favoured right foot and he has the ability to score from a variety of positions. 

Claudio Echeverri's Shot Map - Wyscout Player Report

Even with the lack of goals, Echeverri never lacked the confidence. 3.3 shots per 90 in the CONMEBOL Libertadores was the most of any under-23 player and should have yielded more reward. 

There is no question of the potential which Echeverri possesses but the suggestion that City may look to loan the 18-year-old is likely a wise one to help in his development. Marcelo Gallardo said as much when comparing El Diablito with the last player who made the same move, “Claudio needs to work on his physicality and settle in Argentine football. [Julián] Álvarez spent three years here. Two were a learning process, and only in the third was he ready.”

It is certainly true that Álvarez looked far more the finished article by the time he departed the Monumental, Echeverri is yet to reach that stage of his development. That is not to say he can’t or won’t get there. While he may not be the catalyst for City to turn their season around, their latest Argentine recruit could still be very exciting. 

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