Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte has opened up on his admiration for Kevin de Bruyne and Sergio Busquets as Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur keep tabs on the Uruguay international, speaking to Teledolce.
Nearly 100 years on from their iconic 4-2 victory over Argentina in the final of the very first World Cup, what chance do Uruguay have of writing their names into the history books again?
With Rodrigo Bentancur, Matias Vecino, Fede Valverde and Darwin Nunez heading to Qatar in excellent form – and with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani offering a smattering of elite-level nous – Diego Alonso’s side feel like the very definition of ‘dark horses’.
In Ugarte, Uruguay also have an industrious, stylish central midfielder who could emerge as one of the tournament’s breakthrough stars; a la Lucas Torreira in 2018.
According to A Bola, Tottenham will scout the Sporting Lisbon ace during Uruguay’s Group H clashes with Portugal, Ghana and South Korea. No player in the Champions League averages more successful tackles per game this season than Ugarte (a frankly ridiculous 4.8), and it is he who could provide the platform for the likes of Valverde to thrive.
Tottenham Hotspur will watch Manuel Ugarte during Uruguay’s World Cup campaign
“In the national team, (I play) in a double pivot. And, at Sporting, I play more as a number six,” Ugarte explains. “But I have also played as number eight. These are the positions in which I feel most comfortable.”
21-year-old Ugarte models his game two of the modern era’s most influential midfielders, including one Barcelona legend in particular.
“De Bruyne is a fantastic player in the final third. He is an amazing passer,” he adds.
“In my position, (I idolise) Busquets. I try to copy the way he escapes the press with clean and targeted passes. I have to get better with my first touch. And I have to (be more aware of what is around me).
“If you do, you get a wider picture and that’s something fundamental.”
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