Finding the next Atlanta United star: Part III (Argentina, again)

In Part III of our scouting series using Football Manager 2018 and YouTube, we are staying in Argentina to check out the more defensive players. These will all be defenders or holding midfielders who will do most of their work in the defensive or middle thirds of the pitch. If your just joining the series, check out our first two reports out of Chile and Argentina.

I should also point out, these are not rumors that these players are connected to Atlanta United in any way. It’s purely a hypothetical exercise in which we can daydream about how some of these fantastic young players would play in the Five Stripes.

Franco Escobar - RB/CB - Newell’s OB - 22 years old - 0 caps

Ok, forget what I said about these not being legit rumors. This rumor is very much real. In fact, I’d eat my hat if this guy is not playing for Atlanta next season. With Anton Walkes’ loan spell ending Escobar will be an exciting and much needed addition to the squad.

Benitez notes that the transfer fee for Escobar would be for $1 million. It seems like his rights are held by a third party and that Atlanta gets a discount with Escobar’s true value at somewhere closer to $1.43 million. If United were to then sell him on, the third party would get 30% of the future transfer fee.

Marcos Senesi - CB (left) - San Lorenzo - 20 years old - 5 caps (U20)

Seeing as Atlanta doesn’t have a left-footed center back on the roster, Senesi (who I really want to call “Sensei”) would be an ideal CB signing. Hi ability on the ball would be useful for our style of play, and he could probably play at LB on occasion in a pinch. The player from El Ciclón would be a perfect addition to the team.

Ivan Rossi - CDM/CM - River Plate - 24 years old - 0 caps

Rossi looks to me like a young Carlos Carmona. He’s aggressive, rangy, works hard and always in the middle of the action. Even his and Carmona’s polygons look similar...

Braian Cufré - LB - Velez - 21 years old (soon) - 0 caps

Cufré is a promising looking player, having broken into the Velez team as its starting LB at just 19 years old. He’s a very well rounded left footed player that can play up and down the left side. He seems like the kind of player that would thrive in this league with his ability to do everything competently.

Alan Franco - CB/CDM - Independiente - 21 years old - 0 caps

I love me some Alan Franco. This guy looks great, and his ability to play either in defense or at the base of midfield (aka the Larentowicz role) would make for a great foundation for a team. He’s so young and has room to get so much better, but he’s already a beast physically. Strong fast, and a precise tackler. My favorite thing about his video is how quickly he moves the ball. Many CBs, especially young ones who aren’t so confident, will dwell on the ball and allow the opposition to position themselves. Franco has all the building blocks to be a great player.