Copa America 2015: 10 best starlets you need to know
Uruguay ST Diego Rolan, Bordeaux (22)
Uruguay may have a legendary striker by the name of Diego Forlan, but youngster Diego Rolan will be one of the team’s strikers headed to Copa America 2015 with neither Forlan nor Luis Suarez on the squad. Edinson Cavani is locked in as the team’s star striker, but it will be interesting to see if Rolan can earn playing time over Hull’s Abel Hernandez, who was more famous for punching Phil Jones than for scoring goals this past season.
Rolan, on the other hand, was a goal-scoring machine in Ligue 1 for Bordeaux, scoring 15 and assisting three others in what was an excellent season for the touted attacker. Although he can play out wide on the right, he’s clearly better off at striker, where his superb finishing and quality link-up play can be utilized.
He already has one goal for the national team, so we’ll see if he can add to that tally by turning his impressive club performances into something special on the international stage with Uruguay. His versatility as a striker or wide man will be valuable for La Celeste, and it can be easy to get so caught up in the 15 goals that you forget he’s also pretty good at setting up chances for others.
Although Rolan’s hold-up play is lacking, he is willing to track back and was such a talent for his club this past season. He has a real shot to do some damage in this tournament, and I have a feeling that Cavani would enjoy working with the dangerous 22-year-old.
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