Juanlu Sanchez is an intriguing player ever since breaking into the first team two seasons ago. He’s played just about the whole right side and even in midfield since then, managing to score 4 goals. He’s probably the poster child for Sevilla’s youth recruitment and setup, having joined since 12 years old. However, I still can’t see the perfect position or role for him to play right now.
As a winger, he’s too tall and hasn’t displayed the agility or trickery to constantly be a thorn in the opponents flank. So in recent games where Almeyda plays a 3-4-3, he is deployed as a side midfielder who supports the winger in attack and the fullback/centerback in defense. He’s done this job pretty well but it feels like a waste of his ability to use the ball and sometimes Carmona seems better suited in that role where he has less defensive responsibilities.
Perhaps he can play in the center of the pitch? I think it’s a worthy try as the current squad really lacks any spark there and he can shift to the right according to the tactical shifts. He is also tall enough to challenge for the ball and hold his ground against other central midfielders.
Juanlu was subject to a bid from Napoli in the summer which didn’t materialize for some reason (transfer fee or wages?). Conte is one of the of more innovative tacticians in the modern game and can bring out the best in players according to their qualities with Mctominay and Zambo Anguissa coming to mind. So it would be interesting to see how Conte deploys Juanlu. It would mean losing of the more successful products of the youth system of this generation but I reckon it’s better than having him being lost without a defined role or position which he truly excels when he’s about to turn 23. What are your thoughts?
Juanlu has not looked good at all this season. I wonder how much the transfer talk has affected him mentally. We haven’t missed him that much due to Carmona’s brilliant start.
Juanlu’s good form started from his time at Mirandés as a wingback. I think that is still his best position. I like how he doesn’t shy away from running at defenders and using his left foot for added inside option.
He may have scored a few goals when he played centrally last season, but he does not have the skillset to be a central midfielder. He quickly becomes invisible.
I guess Carmona will miss the next game due to yellow cards (only two players in La Liga have 5 yellows so far, both from Sevilla (Agoume)), so Juanlu will get a chance back at fullback.
I’m not sure where he fits with this squad, and I wasn’t worried about selling him in the off-season. He would probably be great in a 4-4-2!
I think there are a few things that could explain Juanlu’s situation at present:
Due to his failed transfer I could imagine that he lost focus on Sevilla, whether he actually said his goodbyes in person or in his head, I don’t know. I can imagine if he agreed terms and spoke to Conte/De Laurentis then he probably had packed his bags (at least mentally).
From what I remember this (and Dodi’s protracted move) meant he didn’t have much of a preseason, which can really set a player back.
I think Carmona’s emergence as first choice RB has also meant he’s lost some function within the team. Carmona statistically seems to outperform him consistently.
I don’t think he currently would work well with Carmona as they both want to get to the byline, whereas with Lukebakio or Vargas he could provide an option on the overlap when they cut inside. Whether he or Carmona can adapt to offer more on the inside run is yet to be proven.
I also think that he doesn’t fit in as well in Almeyda’s system, so he’s going to have limited playing time. Almeyda tends to play wingers who can cut in or go to the byline (Vargas/Alexis/Alfon) and has used Ejuke, Peque & Januzaj as rotational players. He’s featured more as a wing back when they play with a back 3.
Having read the replies I’m putting my vote for Conte as well. Juanlu is too limited offensively to become a winger and moving to Napoli would ensure his playing time as their only specialist right back Di Lorenzo is already 32.
Getting consistent minutes there would help his chances at the national team as Porro is the only other serious contender who is under 30. If Almeyda prefers Carmona then a 15-20m sale of Juanlu would be useful indeed.