Why Juventus' Roberto Pereyra Will Be a Star Turn for Argentina at Copa America

While the 2014/15 season may be over for Juventus, football continues apace this summer as the Copa America takes place in Chile. As always, the competition promises to be a hotly contested one, with so many of the continent’s teams believing that they should be the one to take home the trophy.

Argentina—led by the incredible Lionel Messi—will start the tournament as favourites, with Carlos Tevez hoping to help the Albiceleste to their first tournament win since 1993. The importance of the Juventus striker was discussed in this previous column, but his team-mate Roberto Pereyra could also prove to be an important figure.

The midfielder has improved exponentially over the last 12 months, his move to Turin from Udinese seeing almost every facet of his game becoming markedly better. In 2013/14, Pereyra notched two goals and six assists for the Stadio Friuli outfit, earning a move to the Italian champions after impressing the club’s management.

Netting six goals and four assists, he has impressed everyone with his application in his first season with La Madama, making it likely Juventus will take up their €15 million option to sign him on a permanent basis.

"

Pereyra's goal. Mamma Mia https://t.co/DrPfFjhqV2

— Khaled Al Nouss (@KhaledAlNouss) May 30, 2015"

Like Alvaro Morata and Paul Pogba, Pereyra has followed the example set by Tevez, matching the insatiable work rate of his compatriot. Statistics from WhoScored.com show the 24-year-old averaged just 0.6 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per game, numbers which fail to do justice to the effort he put forth when chasing the ball.

His finishing needs to improve, but one aspect to his play that has really caught the eye this term has been his dribbling, running at defenders knowing he has the ability to beat opponents relatively easily. “Pereyra has great qualities,” Allegri told a press conference earlier this year, per GianlucaDiMarzio.com. “He always goes towards the goal. He runs a lot and he gives a lot of intensity.”

Statistics from Squawka.com—see the graphic below—show he completed 53 of his 94 take-on attempts in Serie A this term (56 percent). That Pereyra managed to make 45 appearances for the Bianconeri is—given the sheer depth of quality available to Massimiliano Allegri—testament to his ability.

Squawka.com

The coach was undoubtedly impressed by both his determination and his versatility, playing as an orthodox midfielder as well as his preferred role further forward. Along with Andrea Barzagli and Patrice Evra, Pereyra was one of the players who enabled the Juve boss to change formations even during games, his tactical awareness key to the team’s flexibility.

“I didn’t think I’d be playing so much, but from day one I always said I would work hard to take my chance when it came my way," the player himself told the club's official website. "I’d already played as an attacking midfielder in Udine, but I’ve got no problems operating in other positions either.”

He went on to feature as a right wing-back on two occasions, always putting himself at the disposal of the team and doing well to fill whatever role he was asked to play. He will do the same for Argentina this summer, bringing a skill set that few other players can match, even in Gerardo Martino’s talent-laden squad.

Feng Li/Getty Images

Given that he has so far earned just six caps for his country, nobody will be more determined to prove he has earned his place in the international arena. While the likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi, Javier Pastore and Erik Lamela have all been relative disappointments in recent years, Pereyra will arrive in Chile brimming with confidence.

Allegri told reporters back in January that Pereyra “did better than anyone” among the club’s new signings (h/t Football Italia), but his inclusion in the Albiceleste set up means he is likely to find himself coming off the bench due to the sheer volume of attacking talent available to Martino.

From there, he will provide the same energy, drive and direct running that he has given Juventus all season. Roberto Pereyra is unlikely to be the first name many people think of when discussing Argentina’s chances, but he could eventually prove crucial to their hopes.