Colombia winger Juan Cuadrado is good enough to play for Barcelona, his national team coach Jose Pekerman said yesterday (Wednesday).
Fresh from a stunning season with Fiorentina, in which he scored 11 goals, Cuadrado has reportedly been attracting the attention of some of Europe’s big guns such as Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and notably Barcelona.
According to some Colombian media, Cuadrado is on the verge of a move to the Catalan giants to replace Brazilian wing-back Dani Alves.
And should that move come off, Argentine Pekerman is sure the 26-year-old would be a success.
“He’s a player with great physical conditioning who achieved great things with his club, just as he has done with his country, and he is ready to go to a great club, regardless of how well he does at the World Cup,” said Pekerman. “For sure, he will go on to grace the most important pitches in football, and more if he goes to a great club like Barca.”
Colombia are preparing in Brasilia for their Group C match against Ivory Coast in the Estadio Nacional on Thursday.
Having won their opening match 3-0 against Greece, Colombia could all but secure their place in the knock-out rounds with a victory over the Elephants.
Ivory Coast also began with a win, 2-1 over Japan, and Pekerman considers them potential World Cup winners.
“We’re going to play a true World Cup rival who have come to win, who will create difficulties for us and for that reason it will be a tough match,” he said.
Elsewhere in Group C, Japan and Greece are playing for their first points of the tournament.
Coach Alberto Zaccheroni has told his Japan side to forget their opening loss and maintain their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup knockout stages with victory in Natal’s Estadio das Dunas.
“We lost, and we have to acknowledge that. We have the match against Greece ahead of us, so we should all be focusing on working on moving forward,” the Italian said.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Colombia (4-2-3-1)
Ospina; Zuniga, Yepes, Zapata, Armero; Aguilar, Guarin; Cuadrado, Rodriguez, Ibarbo; Gutierrez.
Ivory Coast (4-2-3-1)
Barry; Aurier, Zokora, Bamba, Djakpa; Die, Tiote; Kalou, Toure, Gervinho; Bony.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colombia – Juan Cuadrado
The Fiorentina winger has been long linked with a move to Barca and another good showing will certainly increase the interest in him this summer. Rapid, skillful and willing, Cuadrado will provide a major threat to Ivory Coast’s back four.
Ivory Coast – Wilfried Bony
Bony has enjoyed a fine start to his career in England and looks a fine player. Currently keeping Didier Drogba out of the national side, Bony has the power, industry and finishing capability to either accompany or replace Drogba in ample fashion.
SPORT360° PREDICTION
Ivory Coast rode their luck in beating Japan, and a classy Colombia should have too much for them in a 3-1 (Colombia) win.
