Juan Fernando Quintero: All You Need to Know About Colombia's Next Star

Full name: Juan Fernando Quintero Paniagua

Position: Attacking midfielder/Left-sided midfielder

Date of birth: 01/18/1993 (Age: 20)

Place of birth: Medellin

Nationality: Colombian

Height: 1.68m (5' 6")

Club: Pescara

Contract situation:

According to Football Italia, Quintero is very close to a move to Porto. Pescara club president Daniele Sebastiani told Radio Mana Sport:

"Quintero appeals to many clubs. But in pole at the moment are Porto.

"The Colombian will cost no less than €10m though."

Manchester United, Juventus and Internazionale had all been linked with the youngster in the past, and Genoa came close to signing him before Porto swooped.

Strengths

The Colombian youngster is endowed with a quality that only a smattering of footballers possess; creativity that is both unpredictable and unteachable. His fluid ball skills allow him to crack opposition defenses with a single pass or dribble.

Quintero is most comfortable in the No. 10 role—in its South American interpretation—roaming between the midfield and attacking lines, linking teammates, probing for weaknesses in the opposing team with incisive passing and making space for himself with quick footwork.

He is also in possession of a wicket left-footed shot, which is a threat from open play and set pieces.

Weaknesses

If there is one trait that makes Quintero easier for defenders to read, it is that he is very left-footed. Rather than attempting a pass or shot with his right foot, he will almost always prefer to move the ball over to his left side, which often over-complicates matters for him.

He wouldn't be a card-carrying, prodigious South American playmaker if he didn't sometimes try to do too much, opting for more spectacular plays when simpler options would serve his team better.

Where to see him in action

The kid they call "El Talentoso" is currently captaining Colombia in the U-20 World Cup in Turkey.

Quintero shined in the group stage, scoring goals against the hosts and El Salvador but will be hoping to make an even greater impression on the tournament by leading his side right through to the final stages.

The first hurdle for Colombia in the knockout stages will be Korea Republic Wednesday in the round of 16.