Arturo Vidal is a man on a mission. His target is to bring the Copa America to Chile for the first time and he intends to drag the rest of his teammates toward that goal, no matter what.
The Juventus powerhouse was at his influential best in the thoroughly enjoyable 3-3 draw with Mexico in Group A and the rest of his compatriots are struggling to keep up. His fantastic first-half header brought his side level before his cross found the on-running Eduardo Vargas, who finished excellently.
In the second half, his dynamic run from deep drew a foul from Gerardo Flores and a deserved penalty. For the second match in succession, he held his nerve to convert. This was a truly all-around display, but he will be frustrated that those around him couldn’t provide the support needed to win the match.
Alexis Sanchez has a tendency at times to simply try too hard and this was one of those nights where his runs meandered aimlessly and his finishing was notably askew. The defensive unit, one that offered Ecuador many opportunities in the opening match, was individually and collectively shambolic. Crosses into the area are not enjoyed by Gonzalo Jara or Gary Medel and they once again showed severe vulnerability. The long, hopeful ball that allowed Matias Vuoso to level the game was horrendously fielded by Miiko Albornoz and Claudio Bravo. Chile is a team willing to give up chances all too easily.
But Vidal’s impact was the abiding memory of the evening and his importance cannot be underestimated. He is the beating heart of this team, the figurehead that the players all look to, and it’s impossible to consider his form in this tournament without assessing the transfer value being attached to his Juventus midfield associate, Paul Pogba.
The figure to secure his services is supposedly in the region of 80 million euros, an eye-watering valuation, and it only begs the question: How much is Vidal worth? Granted, a significant amount of Pogba’s fee is based on his age: at 22 he has a decade at the very top ahead of him. Vidal is 28 and his combative style suggests he may not be able to prolong his career longer than perhaps one major transfer. The player has regularly stated his contentment in Italy and numerous bids were rebuffed last summer, but for any team — particularly in the Premier League — he should be among their thoughts.
With a player like him, there’s simply no concern attached. No concern that he won’t give everything he has, no concern attached to his ability with the ball at his feet, with intelligent passes and timely contributions completing the package. And there’s certainly no doubt that teammates gravitate toward him and in turn he galvanizes them into a unit. Now that his knee troubles appear to be forgotten, he is as close as it gets to a risk-free signing. Juventus in turn knows that he’d be next to impossible to replace.
Chile needs to top Group A to remain in Santiago for its quarterfinal and Mexico’s display, a massive improvement on the drab showing against Bolivia, means that La Roja will need a result in their final fixture to do so. With Vidal, now on three goals for the tournament, they remain a thrilling if flawed proposition. But if the other key players in the side can take his lead, then that elusive first title can be theirs.
Bron: goal.com
