There is no set path in the development of talented young players. Some are best served by going out on loan to further their development. Others can spend time on the periphery of the first team, training and learning before eventually breaking through to become key players. The Manchester City squad is full of players who could benefit from either move. Vitor Reis appears set to leave City on loan for next season. Girona is his likely destination. The future for Claudio Echeverri isn’t immediately clear. So what is the best path for Echeverri to take for his development? That isn’t immediately obvious at this stage.
Manchester City are debating whether or not to send Claudio Echeverri out on loan.
A report from Jordan Campbell for The Athletic indicates that Manchester City are deliberating over whether or not to send Claudio Echeverri out on loan for next season. Campbell reports that Roma and Girona are eager to sign Claudio Echeverri for next season. Furthermore, Campbell reports that Pep Guardiola is a huge admirer of Echeverri’s talent. Staying at City for next season would allow Echeverri to learn from Erling Haaland and Omar Marmoush and benefit from Pep Guardiola’s coaching as per Jordan Campbell’s report.
Claudio Echeverri looms as a potential key player for City but how does he get there?
If Claudio Echeverri fulfils his potential he will be a key player for Manchester City for many years to come. The young attacking midfielder has all of the attributes needed to become a star of the game. He is blessed with incredible dribbling ability, an eye for goal, and can pick out a key pass in the final third. Technically, Echeverri is as gifted as they come. There have only been brief glimpses of this talent since Echeverri arrived at City. But it is there, and if he grows into the player he threatens to be, he will be a key player for City.
But what is the best move to help Claudio Echeverri fulfil his obvious potential? A loan move to the right club could provide him with he first-team opportunities that he needs. Roma or Girona could help provide this. Both teams need a number 10, and if Echeverri landed at either club, he’d have an important role to play for either side. So there is merit to sending Echeverri out on loan.
But staying at Manchester City could also be an invaluable experience for Echeverri. Training and being a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad does come with benefits. Perhaps Echeverri wouldn’t get the first-team opportunities he would elsewhere. But he’d be training with City and learning under the best manager in the game. That way his progress can be monitored and when he’s ready for a bigger role Pep Guardiola can unleash Echeverri. It isn’t the worst idea in the world for City to keep Claudio Echeverri for this season.
There is merit to sending Echeverri out on loan for next season. He could get the first-team opportunities he needs to grow. But being a permanent member of the City squad for next season could also be the ideal setting for Echeverri. Both ideas have merit so it will be interesting to see which path Manchester City choose for Claudio Echeverri’s development. Whatever path they take as long as Echeverri grows as a player it will be a win for Manchester City.
