Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:12 pm
Transfers
Premier League New Boys Make Move For Tricky Ecuadorian Forward. Transfer Scouting Report.
By Joel RameyPosted on August 13, 2013
Malky Mackay did a fine job ensuring that Cardiff City won promotion to the English Premier League. Looking at his ambition in the transfer window to date, he will do his utmost this coming this season to ensure that they stay there. Following the capture of one of Europe’s most promising young strikers in Andreas Cornelius, a club record transfer for Sevilla’s Gary Medel has just been completed after Mackay saw a similarly bold move for Tottenham Hotspur-bound Etienne Capoue fall flat. And if the Daily Mirror is to be believed, these players could soon be joined by Monarcas Morelia winger Jefferson Montero. However, the Mirror have also reported that Crystal Palace have been eyeing Montero, while Sky Sports have suggested Hull City are in the mix too, so Mackay will have to act fast.
The 23-year-old Ecuador international once featured in La Liga, having played for Villarreal, Levante, and Real Betis. However, he failed to settle in the Spanish top flight and headed for the Mexican outfit last summer, where he looks to have found his feet – and himself in Mackay’s spotlight.
A very quick and tricky two-footed winger, Montero has started the 2013/2014 Mexican Liga MX very brightly, with five goals in five appearances, three of which came in one game (versus Toluca) in truly sensational fashion.
At current club Morelia, he is utilised as a left wing-forward in a 3-4-3 system. This suits him quite nicely.
When on the ball, he uses his pace to gallop down the left flank and his trickery to slice through the opposition. Five completed take-ons per game on average out of an amazing 11 attempted shows just how keen and confident he is when striding forward in possession.
But it’s not all about dribbling for Montero. Having made the space he needs to cut inside onto his right foot, he then decides between shooting himself and playing in a team-mate.
Have a look at the fantastic placement of his goals. All five of them are placed decisively into the far corner of the goal. In fact, looking at the above visualisation, 50% of the shots he has attempted so far this season were directed toward the corners, the areas of the goal mouth in which a player is most likely to score, as opposed to the centre, where the goalkeeper is more likely to make the save.
Montero has an overall shot accuracy of 80%, which is quite good in itself, but a 50% ‘goal to shot’ ratio is even better. Mackay will surely want goals aplenty from his newly-promoted side to help ensure survival. Montero, with such efficiency shown in front of goal so far this season, would be likely to chip in with a few.
He’ll contribute a few assists too.
Admittedly, though, he is a player who dribbles and shoots more than he creates. In fact, he keeps his passes short and simple (his average pass length is 15 metres), generally prefers to rely on pace and trickery rather than playmaking ability. But with four chances created in his five appearances cutting in from the left, he is indeed capable of playing in team-mates, either via crosses or through balls.
He may not have settled in Europe at the first time of asking and the quality of the Mexican league surely pales in comparison to that of the English top flight by quite some distance, which takes some gloss off his performances for Morelia. But in an attacking setup like Mackay’s, with regular game time, and given a real chance to settle – which he didn’t get a chance to do at Villarreal – the quality that Montero undoubtedly has could shine through at Cardiff City, making him another fine signing to add to the Scottish manager’s already impressive summer haul.