A name remembered : Alexis Sanchez

A few years back, Bob wrote a post about a young South American full of promise named Alexis Sanchez, explaining how Udinese managed to fend off Werder Bremen and ManU for his signature, paying the hefty sum of 3 Million for the then 16 year old. Sanchez, who has never sported the moustache, is just about ready to burst out on the European and International stage with style.

Often dubbed Chile’s answer to Cristiano Ronaldo basically because he’s a quick right wing, loves #7, has fancy footwork and bag of technical tricks. Bam! Comparison justified. However, Sanchez doesn’t care as his only idol is Chilean hero and semi-memorable former Serie A forward, Marcelo Salas.

He needs to blossom a little more before seriously competing with Cristiano Ronaldo for the Best Metrosexual Winger in The World crown , but his years at Udinese have helped him develop into a more complete player. Even if Sanchez’s use of hair gel would make the guys from Jersey Shore proud, I think he’s more of a Mauro Zarate type as he likes holding on to the ball just a little too long and doesn’t score that many goals for his club. However, that doesn’t seem to be a problem when playing for Chile’s National Squad, Sanchez has netted 8 goals in 26 appearances for La Roja.

When asked, Chile boss Marcelo Bielsa has nothing but good things to say about the youngster ;

‘There is a dedication in his game, and that is why he is successful in Italian football ‘

Last summer, before the arrival of Valencia, ManU boss Alex Ferguson seemingly offered Udinese 15 Million British pieces of paper with a queen on them for ‘Nino Maravilla.’ More than just trying to snag the player he missed out on 5 years ago, Ferguson considered Sanchez the perfect Ronaldo replacement.

Udinese know they are going to struggle to hold on to their mini Chilean and his agent, Fernando Felicevich, admitted that there were several suitors for Sanchez. That’s why the northern Italian club won’t start talking for less than 25 Million Euro. Juventus, Milan and Napoli have inquired about his services and surely a couple of the Spanish clubs will be joining in the Sanchez race. Udinese just hope Sanchez can seriously shine in South Africa and see his price ascend like crazy. Udinese will be happy ecstatic if Sanchez manages to pull a ”Half -Andrei Arshavin” during the World Cup. I’m just glad that I managed to go the whole post without any nasty faeces references.

There are some Astro Boy similarities indeed…

Category: News