Raw but exciting Yerry Mina looks a future Man United defender in our World Cup scouting report

Aditya Devavrat 11:00 30/07/2018
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  • Yerry Mina emerged as Colombia’s hero at the World Cup. As a centre-back, defending is his day job, but the Barcelona man scored three vital goals to ensure his team made the Round of 16, before they were cruelly knocked out on penalties by England.

    He was a somewhat known commodity after Blaugrana made him a surprise signing this January, and despite his success in Russia, speculation is rife that that Catalonia club want to sell him.

    Here, our scouting report shows what the 23-year-old would bring to a new side as a host of Premier League teams chase his signature.

    WORLD CUP OVERVIEW

    Mina was left out of the XI for Colombia’s first game, as Oscar Murillo was preferred as Davinson Sanchez’s partner against Japan – a game that Colombia lost 2-1.

    However, he made an instant impact after manager Jose Pekerman brought him into the side for the second group stage clash, the crucial fixture against Poland. His goal late in the first-half broke a goalless contest, while his defending later helped Colombia pick their opponents off on the counter in a 3-0 win. He then scored the only goal of his side’s 1-0 win over Senegal that guaranteed their passage into the Round of 16.

    Mina saved the best for last, scoring a dramatic injury-time equaliser against England to take the knockout clash into extra-time, where Colombia ultimately lost on penalties.

    RATINGS FROM THE ARCHIVE

    Group Stage

    Poland 0-3 Colombia

    Broke the deadlock in the first-half with what would soon become a trademark goal, a close-range header from a corner-kick that allowed Colombia to control their crucial clash against the Poles. 7

    Senegal 0-1 Colombia

    Scored the goal that guaranteed Colombia’s spot in the Round of 16, showing his set-piece prowess again. Solid in defence as well. 8

    Round of 16

    Colombia 1 England 1 (England won 4-3 on penalties)

    Three goals in three games. How can you argue with that? Capable defender but monster at set-pieces. 7

    WORLD CUP IN NUMBERS

    CLUB FORM

    Mina has little recent club form to speak of, as he was sparingly used during his first few months at Barcelona. After arriving in January, he made only six appearances across competitions (including the 5-4 unbeaten streak defeat to Levante), and he’s been deemed surplus to requirements despite a good World Cup.

    Prior to joining Barca, Mina had a solid season at Brazilian club Palmeiras, where he made 27 appearances across competitions in 2017, scoring five times and showing enough promise to earn a move to La Liga. He had helped Palmeiras win the Brazilian championship in his first season at the club, in 2016.

    BIGGEST STRENGTH

    Aerial ability – Mina is a towering presence in both boxes. He helped keep strikers as accomplished as Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane quiet at the World Cup – in fact, the only goal Colombia conceded with him in their XI was a Kane penalty.

    But where he truly made his reputation was in the opposition box, as he always found a way to score.

    BIGGEST WEAKNESSES

    At the moment, it’s difficult to see a clear weakness in Mina’s game. But there was a sense at Barcelona that he didn’t have the technical ability to cut it at the Camp Nou, and it’s true that he can look awkward at times.

    The other knock against the Colombian is that he’s raw. At 23, he’s certainly far from the finished article, and any club he joins will have to handle growing pains the young defender may have to go through.

    Mina's goalscoring threat made him Colombia's World Cup hero.

    Mina’s goalscoring threat made him Colombia’s World Cup hero.

    BEST FITS

    Everton, under new management with Marco Silva, have registered their interest in Mina and it’s easy to see why.

    He could serve as a player who challenges Michael Keane for one of the starting centre-back spots, with the Englishman having been erratic in his first season for the Toffees. The two could also play together – having a young centre-back nucleus (Keane is 25) is never a bad thing. It could be risky, but equally, they could feed off each other and become a strong partnership. If not, Mina and Phil Jagielka could make for a solid pairing, with the young recruit learning from the veteran.

    Another good fit for Mina would be at Tottenham, where he would play alongside international colleague Davinson Sanchez. The duo have already proven that they play well together.

    Meanwhile, with Jan Vertonghen 31, and Toby Alderweireld possibly on his way out of the club, Spurs could use some new blood at centre-back. And he seems like a typical Mauricio Pochettino defender – tough-nosed but a composed presence at the heart of the backline.

    Manchester United are also looking to reinforce their rearguard, and Mina would be a good signing. He may not be expected to start straight away, which would help him settle in. His strength and ability in the air mark him out as a player Jose Mourinho would love to coach, and once he’s ready, he could challenge some of United’s incumbent centre-backs to climb up the pecking order.

    Any one of those players who would start above him would also make for good defensive partners for the Colombian. The goal threat he and Chris Smalling, in particular, would provide would be a tempting prospect.

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