A two year old scouting report from Sky... Abel Hernandez caught the eye with his four goals against Tahiti in the Confederations Cup, and he is a player who has already caught the eye of a number clubs. Born in 1990, he was picked up by Uruguayan giants Penarol aged just ten, but he spent just a year with them before linking up with Central Espanol. He flourished at the smaller club and was soon pushing the first team ranks at Parque Palermo and he made his debut in 2007 before his first full season saw him claim nine league goals. This form brought him again to the attention of Penarol, who re-signed him but his time with them lasted just six-months after three goals in eight games - he was snapped up by Italian side Palermo. However, there was a delay in his signing - during his medical it was discovered that he had a cardiac arrhythmia and was ordered to stop playing and training and he underwent minor surgery. He was given the all clear and he made his debut just a month after signing and he featured against Lecce in March 2009 - replacing fellow countryman Edinson Cavani. That summer he featured in the Under-20 World Cup, but he soon returned for his first full season with Palermo and he scored seven goals - his best season to date in Italy. Hernandez made a glittering start to his career which saw the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal and Tottenham all linked. He perhaps has not kicked on like many thought, but he never played centrally throughout a season. A skilful, elegant forward - Hernandez's best work can often see him coming in from the flank. But there is no getting away from it that he is a quality finisher when given the chance. Although over 6ft, physically he is not the strongest and with this he is now too powerful in the air, but he makes up for the in skill on the floor. Clearly he has a lot to offer and showed in the Confederations Cup he is a more than capable performer. The scout says... Still only 22, Hernandez has great experience for a player so young - now linked to Premier League Sunderland, he certainly represents an intriguing prospect. Hernandez has heaps of ability and would surely make an impact in the Premier League if a deal was done for him to play in England. The Scout rating... Shooting: 8 out of 10 Passing: 7 out of 10 Tackling: 5 out of 10 Heading: 6 out of 10 Pace: 8 out of 10 Vision: 7 out of 10 Current ability: 8 out of 10 Potential ability: 10 out of 10 OVERALL SCOUT RATING:59/80 Current value: £12million Potential value: £30million
At the end of the day both would be a gamble. Neither has premier league experience, Hernandez only seems more appealing because he's played in better leagues than Rhodes.
But including the Serie B season, 111 in 31, I know it's a lower league but 14 in 28 is still good in Serie B. I'm not saying he's anywhere near as good but the stats aren't too dissimilar.
I agree both would have been a gamble. Serie A would have been a better league, not sure about Serie B. He may not be used to playing as many games a season as we might want, or has had injury problems. It doesn't look like we were ever getting Rhodes anyway, so hopefully of the options left (including Long and Fryatt) he is better than them all.
For starters this lad is quick and much quicker than Longy. However, can he score goals ? twt as always.
Based on similar ones from this year: Enner Valencia scored 68/80, Alberto Moreno scored 60/80, Mohamed Salah scored 60/80, Adnan Januzaj scored 62/80, Saido Berahino scored 59/80, Calum Chambers scored 60/80. Of course, it all means naff all.
One of them gay foreign football words that we for some reason have to use. I wonder if Italians or French people ever say English words in English while putting on an English accent. I find it absurd that we do it.
French kids/teenagers use English far more than we use their words. "Cool" is one of the most used words in French