Juan Manuel Vargas: this is how we saw him in his debut with Universitario de Deportes [OPINION]

Juan Manuel Vargas

didn't come back to the 'U' to be a left back, for that task Roberto Chale has Joaquín Aguirre, who started against U. Católica, and Jersson Vásquez, who fights for the position from the bench. He will also not play as a winger on the left side because that position is currently occupied by Alexi Gómez.

The 2017 version of Vargas

is a box-to-box midfielder. He is somewhat slow and shows clear signs that he is still in the process of losing weight and getting in shape after six months without playing an official match.

Why does Chale want him in this position?

The question is answered with a previous precedent. The 'Crazy' already played as a box-to-box midfielder in his second stint at Fiorentina after returning from Genoa. And he did not do badly. Vargas' good technique is the differential for Chale in midfield. The dirty work of defensive duties is handled by the Venezuelan Arquímedes Figuera, the best of the U's signings in the debut match.

The Venezuelan player threw himself in every tackle when it was necessary. And, of course, the U fan -who appreciates more the slide tackle than the nutmeg- recognized it with applause.

There is little to analyze about Juan Vargas because he did not show his true level. Just a powerful shot from the left that goalkeeper Constanzo tipped to send it out. The 'Crazy' is in the race to regain his best football and, with the Copa Libertadores in less than 15 days, the team needs him to be fully fit, physically ten out of ten.

For this, he needs to show maturity. At 33 years old, he is the leader and captain of a team that has reinforced itself to win the Descentralizado and have a Copa Libertadores beyond the second phase.
Speak up, 'Crazy'. The ball is in your court.