Duván Zapata, Colombia
After a sensational season in Serie A with Atalanta, Duván Zapata will be hoping to make a big impression in Brazil. The striker has shown promise throughout his career but truly delivered this past season, scoring 23 goals – two more than Cristiano Ronaldo – and picking up seven assists in the league.
At 28, he is no spring chicken, but his form since December has been startling and he finally scored his first international goal for Colombia last week in their friendly against Peru.
He would walk into the Colombia team if it were picked on form but, with captain and all time leading scorer Radamel Falcao also in the squad, Zapata will need to take any opportunity that comes his way. He has been doing just that for the past six months though. He would be a good fit for West Ham, Everton or Wolves.
Maxi Gómez, Uruguay
Maxi Gómez was not quite as prolific for Celta Vigo in his second season as he was in his first campaign in Spain, but the Uruguayan is undoubtedly the top young striker in La Liga right now. Only six players have scored at least 30 goals over the last two season in La Liga and Gómez is the youngest of that group by 1,973 days, having hit 17 in the 2017-18 campaign and 13 in 2018-19.
His problem in the Uruguay squad is that he is competing with Luis Suárez (another player who hit that milestone of 30 goals in La Liga) and Edinson Cavani. That being said, the 22-year-old did his chances no harm in the build-up to the tournament, scoring in back-to-back friendlies – a 4-0 hammering of Thailand and a 3-0 win over Panama last week.
Gómez is something of a throwback No 9 and his aerial prowess is a real weapon. Thirteen of his 30 goals in La Liga so far have been scored with his head; only two players in Europe’s top five leagues have scored more headers in the last two seasons. A summer transfer is very much on the cards and he would suit West Ham, Aston Villa or Tottenham.
Giovani lo Celso, Argentina
Giovani lo Celso will be one of the most scouted players at the tournament after his eye-catching season at Real Betis. The 23-year-old joined the club on loan from PSG last summer and Betis made that move permanent earlier this year. Now they can cash in.
Lo Celso failed to nail down a regular starting spot at PSG but the Ligue 1 champions may be regretting their decision to let him leave. He was impressively versatile for Betis in the season just past, playing in both deep and advanced midfield roles, and even up front on occasion.
He also had a remarkable season in front of goal, scoring 16 goals in all competitions. He will fulfil a more defensive role at the Copa América this summer as Argentina try to crowbar in all of their attacking talent. Lo Celso would be a good fit for Tottenham, Manchester United or Arsenal.
Rodrigo de Paul, Argentina
Speaking of squeezing attacking players into the Argentina team, coach Lionel Scaloni will be keen to pick Udinese playmaker Rodrigo de Paul this summer. Like Lo Celso, the 25-year-old played in a variety of different positions last season. That versatility could be a real asset to his national team – as well as any prospective employers.
The 25-year-old may have to settle for a role on the left wing for Argentina, having been very much at the centre of things for Udinese last season. He was their top scorer with nine goals, their top provider with eight assists and he had a hand in 43.6% of their goals all season.
Having ranked second in Serie A last season for both key passes (98) and successful dribbles (81), the midfielder is clearly ready to make the next step in his career. Whether that comes in Italy or elsewhere remains to be seen but a move seems imminent. He would be a good fit for Tottenham, Everton or Leicester City.
Guillermo Maripán, Chile
The youngest head in an experienced Chile defence, Guillermo Maripán has been a mainstay for the national team for well over a year now. The 25-year-old has made great strides since signing for Alavés in 2017 and he was one of the best centre-backs in La Liga last season. However, his campaign was cut short by an ankle injury he sustained on international duty in March and his fitness remains a concern before the tournament.
Maripán’s aerial presence is his greatest strength. He won 71.9% of his aerial duels last season, making him an asset in both boxes. His timing in the challenge will also appeal to a number of scouts at the tournament; only one centre-back in La Liga won more tackles per 90 minutes last season than Maripán, and his average of 0.7 fouls per 90 minutes is very low for a player who makes so many challenges in the air and on the ground. The Chilean is capable of playing at a higher level and would be a good fit for West Ham, Arsenal, Manchester United or Watford.
Erick Pulgar, Chile
Any club looking for a reliable holding midfielder this summer should keep an eye on Erick Pulgar. The 25-year-old has improved at a steady rate in his four seasons with Bologna and, even though he extended his contract with the club in January, there is apparently a very reasonable release clause in that deal.
The Chilean is strong over set pieces and in the tackle, and he added goals to his game in the 2018-19 campaign, scoring six times in Serie A in the last few months of the season. He boasts a good range of passing and isn’t afraid to take risks with his distribution either.
At 25, Pulgar still has plenty of room for development. Talks of a move are relatively quiet at the moment but a successful Copa América could change all that. A good fit for Aston Villa, Newcastle or Southampton.
The Guardian Sport
