Seeing from google translate the words “clumsy” “limited” and “useless” being used frequently, along with the phrases “how is he a professional?” “how did he get a move to Watford?” “he has no right playing football.”
Good news is that Colombian U20 team is hard to get into (I like a lot of the players who played last night) so must be rated highly in the international setup, so might be struggling with the step up. Bad news is he's played about 70 mins across the 2 games so far and hasn't looked good at all. He looks very very pacey but looks so wiry he makes Asprilla look hench.
Wow he looks terrible. Very clumsy and spends most of the time on the deck. Seems physically more developed than Asprilla but doesn't look like he has any idea how to use his body, whereas Asprilla does.
Jorge Cabezas Hurtado is on loan from Watford at Independiente Medellín (one of the top Colombian football teams), who are playing in the Categoría Primera A and in the Copa Libertadores. His WP chances should be good if he makes sufficient appearances.
He was initially, but has since been moved. Also, the fact that he's playing in a tournament for Colombia's U20 team gives him further work permit points. He shouldn't have a problem getting one.
Video of his game against Paraguay U20, obviously a much better showing than his first 2 games. Looked really lively whenever he got the ball, still looks like his legs would snap if the wind changed direction though.
Jorge Hurtado vs Brazil U20: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yjseb0b0auu8rul/vsBrazilU20.mp4?dl=0 Played over an hour against a very strong Brazilian team. Did ok by the look of the clips but didn't have a huge influence. Then scored the winner against Venezuela last night to clinch 3rd place for Colombia. Was a superb hit (and a nice assist from Alexis Manyoma who's a favourite of mine, he also grabbed the first goal with a superb 30 yard hit - https://wfcforums.com/index.php?threads/scouting-thread.59642/page-2#post-3183155) Full clips of his game against Venezuela are here
Made his first start for Medellin last night as they last 2-0 to Boyaca Chico (inb4 any Ali G jokes). Completed the most dribbles in the match, made the most tackles (?!) and won the most duels in the match. From the clips though he still looks very raw, although is some promise there. Hopefully the first start of many so we can get a better idea of his level and potential. Clips of every action he made last night: https://www.dropbox.com/s/tp83vu6thmjhgt2/GW8_vsBoyacaChico.mp4?dl=0
Looking forward to it, he started in the Copa Libertadores last night and got subbed after 29 mins. He wasn't injured. Raw attributes are there but imo he's a fair distance away from making our squad.
He doesn't even look strong enough at u20 level, he would be ragdolled around in the Championship. Touch of the Paolo Wanchopes about him, looks like he's never seen a football before and then does something quite impressive.
Definitely, has flashes of brilliance but they're too inconsistent. He joined them in January and I don't think he's reached 400 mins of game time and as you said, is way off it physically. Now work permits are less of an issue we don't need him to play for a top side in Colombia, get him out to a midtable or lower half side in Colombia and get him started each week!
Perhaps clutching at straws here but perhaps they just gave him a brief runout to say goodbye, considering he's flying over soon?
Still think it's more beneficial to have him do a pre-season here and see how he does. It can take even very talented S American players like Asprilla and JP a while to adapt, so might as well get him started when we can. Worst case if he's still too raw to feature for us this season we can send him on loan to somewhere like a nearby League Two club.
Levanthal a few weeks ago he would be assessed in pre-season with the view of possibly joining our first team squad this season. Not seen him in any pics/videos etc though. Would really surprise me if the staff thought he was ready though.
Would he lose his work permit qualification if after registering with us he left on loan without playing to go play in a league which won't earn him a work permit? Also, if he's not yet good enough for the Champ, he probably won't yet be good enough for La Liga 2 either.
Not sure it matters really, he'll still be U21 by next summer where the WP rules are relaxed and not as strict and if he still doesn't qualify there's the new ESC rules to fall back on (although I'm still unsure if you can use those for players you've already signed or if they're for new signings only..). But if I'm being honest I can't really see him ever playing for us, he's 3 months older than Asprilla but he's so far off Asprillas level currently that I doubt he'll reach the level needed - development isn't linear of course and there's a chance he could have a smashing season somewhere and make me entirely rethink this statement but at the moment I'm sceptical - the potential is there though, just needs a lot of game time somewhere.
Seems well off the level required whenever I've seem him play, which admittedly is only 4 or 5 times. Could turn out to be a late bloomer but I doubt he's the next Joao Pedro, Yaser Asprilla or James Morris.
