Leeds United Opinion: Alexander Alvarado could evolve into a future star at Elland Road
According to claims from South American outlet Ecuavisa, Leeds United have been credited with an interest in Ecuadorian winger Alexander Alvarado, who currently plies his trade in the Ecuadorian top-flight with SD Aucas.
The ongoing U-20 FIFA World Cup in Poland has prompted some of the top clubs in Europe to send their scouts in order to keep a close eye on the brightest emerging prospects from around the world and reports from Ecuavisa suggests that Leeds’ scouts have been left impressed with the performances of Ecuador’s Alexander Alvarado.
The 20-year-old was one of the architects of Ecuador’s march to the semi-finals of the U-20 World Cup, where they eventually lost to South Korea. Alvarado, however, earned plaudits for his stellar performances and he will once again be in action for his nation in the third-place playoff game against Italy.
Alvarado has already accumulated a goal and an assist in six appearances for Ecuador at the U-20 World Cup and scored from the penalty spot against Uruguay in the knockout rounds.
The 20-year-old has impressed with his attacking and defensive work-rate and his all-around displays have earned him rave reviews from several European scouts.
Essentially a left-winger by trade, Alvarado is also capable of playing out wide on the right. Currently, on the books of Ecuadorian top-flight outfit SD Aucas, the promising youngster has made a total of 51 appearances in all competitions for his club, accumulating 3 goals and 4 assists in the process.
Although he is yet to represent Ecuador at the senior international level, the starlet has 3 goals in 12 outings for his nation’s U-20 side.
Well, Alvarado’s numbers are certainly not eye-watering by any means but he is highly-rated back in South America and one would expect him to make significant improvements to his game in the years to follow.
He is not the finished article by any means but his performances for Ecuador at the U-20 World Cup suggest that he is really talented, although that might not be enough to convince the fans at Elland Road of his abilities.
The Championship is an incredibly competitive league and the 20-year-old is likely to take his time to acclimatise to the style of play prevalent in the second-tier of English football.
To put things into perspective, it wouldn’t be all that bad for Leeds to play a low-cost gamble on the emerging Ecuadorian starlet this summer.
Even if a move does materialize, Alvarado would probably go into the development squad at Elland Road and the 20-year-old’s inclusion in the senior playing squad next season would pretty much depend on manager Marcelo Bielsa’s evaluation of the player during the pre-season friendlies.
Leeds are in the market for new wide players following the departure of loanees Jack Harrison and Izzy Brown to Man City and Chelsea respectively. Pablo Hernandez one of the standout performers last season but the Spaniard is already 33 and the Whites need to take the pressure off his shoulders by bolstering their attacking ranks with some young blood.
Alexander Alvarado certainly fits the bill and his arrival would be another fine addition to the plethora of young talents that the West Yorkshire giants already boast of in their ranks.
Working with the likes of Jack Clarke, Jamie Shackleton and Aapo Halme is likely to enhance the rate of the Ecuadorian’s development and Leeds could possibly have a gem in their hands if he goes on to fulfil his potential at Elland Road.
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Leeds need to look at proven players in the market to help them challenge for promotion but bringing in promising youngsters also holds the key to the club’s long-term plans. Keeping that in mind, the acquisition of Alvarado could go on to play rich dividends in the future.
