Paraguay Talent: Five Teenagers en route to Europe

With the 2012 Apertura now underway we look at five teenagers lighting up the league as they stake their claim for a lucrative transfer to Europe. Throughout the season we will focus on the best young Paraguayan talent and those most likely to be in the Champions League in no time!

Maurito Caballero  

Courtesy of @mauro11jrs

D.o.B: 8 October 1994

Height: 1,75 metres

Weight: 75 kilos

Position: Striker

Foot: Left

Club: Libertad

Plays like: Robbie Fowler

His father is the all-time top goalscorer for Olimpia so there was always going to be a lot of hype about this kid. He has already lived up to it, scoring two on his debut last season and now finding the net in two Copa Libertadores games. The kid has pace and although not particularly strong he is adept at using his body weight and balance against bigger opponents.

Bladimiro Ojeda

Bladimiro Ojeda with the U20s

  D.o.B: 3 February 1994

  Height: 1,76 metres

  Weight: 73 kilos

  Position: Winger/Forward

  Foot: Right

  Club: Rubio Ñu

  Plays like: Carlos Tevez

This right footer likes to play on the left hand side and cut in to shoot from distance one of his strengths along with his dribbling ability and set piece taking. From humble beginnings in the deep Paraguayan countryside Ojeda has taken centre stage recently having played for the Paraguay U17s in last year’s Sudamericano and becoming a regular feature in the U20s set up since Chiqui Arce took charge. Last weekend he made his first senior start for Rubio Ñu and expect him to stake a claim this Apertura.

Gustavo Gomez

Gustavo Gomez Photo: golazotropical.com.py

  D.o.B: 6 May 1993

  Height: 1.85

  Weight: 85 kilos

  Position: Central defender

  Foot: Right

  Club: Libertad

  Plays like: John Terry

The big centreback has got his break this season with Libertad rotating players as they fight on both fronts (Apertura and Copa Libertadores). He is strong and dominant in the air with a never-say-die attitude, his battling qualities have been important in a part of a Libertad defence that won their first two league games 1-0. His physique means he would not struggle in Europe even at his tender age.

Jorge Rojas

Jorge Rojas Photo: abc.com.py

 D.o.B: 7 January 1993

 Height: 1,74 metres

 Weight:  kilos

 Position: Winger

 Foot: Right

 Club: Cerro Porteño

 Plays like: Luis Antonio Valencia

An old-fashioned winger, has pace with the ball, enjoys taking players on and is an excellent crosser of the ball. Rojitas has already formed an excellent partnership with Cerro’s full back Matias Corujo and was the stand out player in the weekend’s win over Cerro PF. His form will be vital to Cerro’s championship chances in their centenary.  He was part of the U20s squad but an injury to Rodolfo Gamarra saw him called up to the senior squad for Wedneday’s friendly with Guatemala .

Fabio Caballero

Fabio Caballero Photo: La Nacion

 D.o.B: 1 October 1992

 Height: –

 Weight:  –

 Position: Central midfielder

 Foot: Right

 Club: Olimpia

 Plays like: Scott Parker

This adolescent midfielder can win the ball and then keep things simple and tidy, everything you want from a central midfielder. He is essentially being played as a holding midfielder but his young legs are needed to help cover Sergio Orteman so he covers plenty of ground too. His youthful exuberance means he has a tendency to accumulate yellow cards but a full season under Gerardo Pelusso will quickly cure him of that bad habit so he can make his way across the Atlantic.

By Ralph Hannah