Ten Players to Watch in the 2016/17 Primera Division

The new Argentine Primera season is less than a week away and yes it is still a colossal 30-team mess but gone are the two confusing zones and instead we have one enormous league that will run parallel with the European football calendar. Before you get too disheartened with the Argentine Football Association’s nonsensical approach, there are still plenty of things to look forward to and so we take a quick look at ten players looking to build on impressive Transición’s and catch the eye during the 2016/17 campaign. 

Santiago Ascacibar - Estudiantes 

Perhaps the breakthrough star of the Torneo Transición, Santiago Ascacibar richly deserved his place in Argentina’s Olympic squad and was one of the few to leave Rio de Janeiro with any credit. Many would have questioned Estudiantes’ decision to allow Gastón Gil Romero to leave prior to last season, but the emergence of a combative and energetic 19-year-old during pre-season gave a glimpse of potential before Ascacibar well and truly vindicated the decision during a campaign in which El Pincha finished second to Lanús in Zone B. 

Despite standing only five feet and seven inches tall, Ascacibar was the outstanding ball winner in the Primera last season, averaging a league high 4.8 tackles per game and a respectable 3.4 interceptions per match and understandably drew comparisons to Javier Mascherano. European clubs are already said to be circling, and so this could be the season Ascacibar really puts himself in the shop window. 

Miguel Almirón - Lanús 

Miguel Almirón didn’t even find himself in the Lanús first XI at the beginning of the Torneo Transición, having previously just shown flashes of his talent since arriving from Cerro Porteno in 2015. However, when coach Jorge Almirón - no relation - gave him the opportunity, the 22-year-old took it with both hands. 

His direct, pacy running from central midfield provided El Granate with real vertical thrust and as the season progressed Almirón appeared to continue improving, culminating in a man of the match performance against San Lorenzo in the final. Aside from his tireless work in support of the attack, the Paraguayan international was vital in Lanús’ use of the ball with 85.5% pass accuracy. 

Almirón didn’t show his best with the Guaraní at the Copa América, but a continuation of his Transición form will surely put him in the crosshairs of clubs in Europe. 

Lucas Janson - Tigre 

There weren’t too many highlights from Tigre’s Torneo Transición, but certainly the emergence of 21-year-old Lucas Janson was one. When El Matador did enjoy success, invariably the academy product was involved, having a direct hand in a fraction under half the side’s 21 total goals. Only a handful of players boasted a greater return with Janson posting an impressive six goals and four assists from 13 appearances. 

Excellent with the ball at his feet, not only was Janson among the league’s top dribblers - 2.6 successful per game - he provided a constant threat off the left flank for Pedro Troglio’s side. Tigre have done well to fend off interest over the pre-season and one suspects that if the side are to improve on last season’s form, the youngster will be central to that. 

Nicolas Tagliafico - Independiente 

Bursting into the Banfield side as an indefatigable teenage full-back, Nicolás Tagliafico immediately drew comparisons to the great Javier Zanetti, albeit a left-sided version, but after failing to live up to the lofty expectations, the 23-year-old has now well and truly established himself as one of the Primera’s top defenders with Independiente. 

El Rojo had the third best defensive record in the top flight last term and Tagliafico was a major factor in that with his wholehearted, committed displays that always draws enormous appreciation from supporters.  Strong in the air and in the tackle, the former Argentina under-20 international averaged 3.1 tackles, 2.9 interceptions and 3.4 clearances during what was ultimately a disappointing campaign for Independiente. Full of running and eager to join the attack, Tagliafico is perhaps not as productive in the final third as he could be, but remains an outstanding full back who should attract attention. 

Mauricio Martinez - Rosario Central 

It has been a busy off-season for Mauricio Martínez after making the switch from Unión to title hopefuls Rosario Central and playing a central role in Argentina’s doomed Olympic campaign. La Albiceleste’s failure in Rio aside, it has been an outstanding 2016 for the versatile youngster and it was little surprise that Eduardo Coudet moved so swiftly to land the talented Santafecino. 

Unión struggled at times in the Transición, but Martínez showed his all-round ability in central midfield and vital versatility in slotting into the back four when needed. An average of 2.2 tackles and 1.9 interceptions highlight his combative skills, but with two goals to his name and an impressive 43.3 passes per game, it is clear just how important Martínez was to El Tatengue at both ends of the pitch. Central will be eyeing a title challenge this year and the 23-year-old could prove to be a wonderful addition to their ranks. 

Fernando Zuqui - Boca Juniors 

Godoy Cruz came within a whisker of their greatest achievement as they were pipped to the Zone A title by San Lorenzo and a place in the Transición final on the final weekend. However, it was still an outstanding campaign for El Tomba and their young captain Fernando Zuqui shone on the right of Sebastián Méndez’s midfield. 

Boca Juniors came calling almost immediately with a Copa Libertadores semi final looming and although that ended in disappointment, Zuqui should prove to be an important part of Guillermo Barros Schelotto new-look side. The 24-year-old provided an industrious yet creative outlet for Godoy Cruz, scoring three goals and being among the most fouled players (3.3 per game) in the top flight. Boca’s gain is certainly Godoy Cruz’s loss and El Tomba may find it difficult to replicate the form of last season as a result. 

José Luis Gómez - Lanús 

Quite what Racing Club were thinking when they allowed José Luis Gómez to go out on loan with an option to make the deal permanent for a bargain $2mis anyone’s guess, but it proved to be a huge error. The 22-year-old was perhaps the outstanding defender in the Primera and as Lanús won the title, Gómez is now a Granate player and the rest is history. 

A decent enough defender, Gómez actually led the way in average number of interceptions per game (5), but it is going forward where the youngster really excels.  His lung-busting overlapping runs at lightning speed were a prominent feature of Lanús’ attack and enabled Jorge Almirón’s champions to transition so quickly from defence to attack. At a time when Argentina’s lack of modern full-backs has never been more obvious, Gómez may prove to be the long-term solution. 

Oscar Romero - Racing Club 

Balancing Copa Libertadores commitments with the Torneo Transición proved difficult for Racing and unfortunately for La Academia, limited the number of appearances that Oscar Romero made because when the tricky little Paraguayan is on the field, he usually looks a level above all those around him. 

Thankfully for Facundo Sava, the 24-year-old turned down a lucrative offer from the MLS to remain at the Cilindro this season and should carry the majority of Racing’s attacking threat. In eight league starts last term, Romero scored four and created three, directly having a hand in a goal every 112 minutes but it his overall contribution to the attack that makes him so important. Wonderful feet, superb technique and an eye for goal occupies opposition defences and opens space for his teammates. This might just be his last season in Argentina, but if Romero finds form consistently; it makes Racing title challengers. 

Lucas Alario - River Plate 

Edgardo Bauza naming River Plate’s young centre-forward in his recent Argentina squad may have raised eyebrows, but since Lucas Alario arrived at the Estadio Monumental from Colón and immediately made himself a club icon with a Copa Libertadores final goal, El Flaco has been on the radar of European clubs. 

The arrival of Marcelo Larrondo will provide greater competition, but Marcelo Gallardo is still likely to put faith in the 23-year-old after a decent Torneo Transición. Six goals and an assist in 11 starts is a healthy return for any striker and although Alario is a striker that relies on service, he has proved himself an efficient finisher, given he only averages 2.1 shots per game. Despite not being the tallest, the Colón academy product is good in the air and links up play well. If Gallardo gets his side to realise the form from earlier in his tenure, then Alario should be back among the goals. 

Emiliano Rigoni - Independiente 

A long-term target for Independiente, El Rojo finally got their man prior to the Torneo Transición and Emiliano Rigoni didn’t disappoint. The 23-year-old’s pace and direct approach provided a real outlet for Mauricio Pellegrino on the break and although the side struggled for goals for large parts of the season, Rigoni still managed a Primera high six assists. 

Aside from his pace, Rigoni’s ability with both feet meant that he could play off either flank or through the middle and with four goals to his name; he provides a goal threat of his own. New coach Gabriel Milito will want to get utilise this even more and with El Rojo likely to be a more attacking outfit this season, Rigoni could be a beneficiary. Independiente are desperate to end their trophy drought and if Rigoni can improve his consistency and start to take a firmer grip on games, then he can be an important piece in this puzzle.

Who are you most excited about watching in the 2016/17 Primera Division? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below