So far only one Paraguayan has been featured in Baba Scouted edition. Blas Armoa.
This is why we were excited that after a series of Peruvian, Uruguayan and Argentineans, Juan Gafas decided to send us a new talent from Paraguay.
Alexis Duarte
Age: 20
Club: Cerro Porteño (Paraguay)
Position: Centre Back
Nationality: Paraguayan
Market Value: 1.000.000 € (Transfermarkt)
Why follow him? Since returning from the COVID-19 break, the young centre back has played 90 minutes in all of Cerro Porteño’s games except one, playing a big role in his team amazing run, dropping 6 points in 19 games.
Alexis’ performances in the first team were excellent from the very start. His lack of experience shows at times, but he seems comfortable and surly not out of depth. He moves quite well, agile and quick, can and should improve his upper body strength but winning most of his aerial duels at it is (about 6.1 ft.).
When attacking the ball, he is effective; aggressive and using his long legs and athletic attributes to win most of his duels and one-on-one situations. He can be seen breaking shape at times, getting too tight with the forward when latest is dropping back, but it should improve with experience, and he is usually fast enough to get back in time anyway. Composed on the ball, good technical skills and with a wide range of passing, he has the basic skills to improve from when in possession. As with his defending, more games under his belt will serve him well to improve some aspects, such as the angles he is creating when building up from the back.
Paraguay has no shortage of good centre backs, experienced and young ones, so it will probably take time for Alexis to find his way into the national team if at all. However, his performance in his first season, half a season actually, is auspicious and with more experience and some work he could get there.
Photo via Cerro Porteño official Twitter account.
