Aston Villa should start keeping tabs on Santiago Ascacibar
If there is anyone who can replace Javier Mascherano in the Argentine football set up, it is none other than Santiago Ascacibar. A youth product of Estudiantes, Ascacibar rose to prominence at his boyhood club in the Argentine top flight in the 2016-17 season.
The youngster made eyeballs turn with his consistently impressive performances in a holding midfield role and earned rave reviews in his breakthrough season. An impressive 2016-17 season earned him a move to German Bundesliga outfit VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2017.
Critics were apprehensive about how the Argentine sensation would fare in Europe but the prodigious starlet silenced all the banters. He replicated his impressive form in the Bundesliga in his debut season and has hit the ground running this term as well.
Talking about Ascacibar’s position in the midfield, he is a perfect No.6 who likes to operate in a deep position as a sweeper for the back four. Standing at 5ft. 7 inches with a stocky frame, the 21-year-old is not quite capable of dominating the opposition with his stature. However, his playing style is somewhat similar to Arsenal’s Lucas Torreira.
Ascacibar is as hardworking and tenacious as the Uruguayan, never afraid to stick his foot out when needed and throws his body on the line to get the ball back for his team. He is someone who has mastered the art of tackling from a very young age and his game-reading ability is right up there with the very best.
Another thing that must be noted here is that Ascacibar is a technically-gifted player, which allows him to hold on to the ball and run comfortably with the ball at his feet. The 21-year-old has an impressive range of passing, both short and long, allowing him to keep the ball moving with ease.
Ascacibar has averaged 41.1 passes per game at an accuracy percentage of 82.1, including 1.7 successful long balls per game. Furthermore, he has averaged 2.6 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per game, which speak volumes of his ability to dominate the midfield.
To put things into perspective, a move to the Premier League might be a step too big for the youngster and Aston Villa should start pursuing an interest in him to help them in their bid for promotion.
In all honesty, Dean Smith’s side are in dire need of a holding midfielder who can dominate the central areas of the park. Villa are currently 8th in the Championship standings after a disappointing 2-2 draw at home against Stoke City.
Much of their woes this season has been down to the susceptibility at the back. As much as the centre-backs are to be blamed for lack of stability across the backline, something that should be noted here is that Villa haven’t managed to cut out the attacks from the midfield. In other words, they need someone who can play a holding role in the midfield and act as a shield for the rearguard.
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Conor Hourihane and John McGinn have done a good job in the midfield but they are suited to a more central role than a holding role and the promising Argentine can be a huge asset to the Lions in that aspect.
Ascacibar has already made his bow for Argentina at the senior level this year and he has all the attributes to taste success in English football. That said, Villa should start keeping tabs on him ahead of the January transfer window.
