The official debut of 2025 was not as River expected. He could barely rescue a draw on the Platense court, in an annoying match for the team of Marcelo Gallardo. And after the first presentation, there was an issue that was discussed that it has already been recurring for a year: the central flyer.
Much was spoken and wrote for 2024 about what River suffered with that position after the departure of Enzo Pérez in the end of 2023. Well, now the Mendoza is again the “5” of the team but from the outside it emphasizes the need for River to incorporate another.
Enzo Pérez did not return to River just because of his preponderance in the Riverplatense ecosystem. Also, for its validity. Last year, in students, he played 48 games. And some of them at a very good level. This was stated by Gallardo, who clarified to Pérez that he “does not benefit from anyone.”
What Enzo can give is known. Both outside and inside the court. In the locker room it is a voice of command and knowing the doll, he knows how to conduct the coach’s message to order the youngest. And on the playing field contributes experience, location, good and safe passes, presence and intelligence.
However, sometimes it may not reach. Especially from the physical. As much as it is in very good condition, age (is 38 and February 22 turns 39) passes for everyone. And exhaustion does not feel in the same way. On Saturday, before Platense, by case, he did not complete the game. At 29 minutes of the second half it was replaced by Santiago Simón.
Anyway, the matter is not Enzo Pérez. His return is well grounded. The theme is if River needs another central steering wheel. It seems shameless to talk about this issue when On the squad there are two “5”, which are Matías Kranevitter and Rodrigo Villagra And eventually, Giuliano Galoppo and Rodrigo Aliendro could build a double pivot.
Anyway, Kranevitter and Villagra did not give guarantees for 2024. Neither in the Martín Demichelis stage and with Gallardo. And neither the tucumano nor the Cordoba could settle. Much less the Uruguayan Nicolás Fonseca, who already left.
So, if Kranevitter and Villagra do not lift, who can take the place of central steering wheel to be a help wheel of Enzo Pérez?
As Clarín could know, in River they are aware of this situation and believe that a player is needed in that position. But it has to be a strong and important name, which still did not appear in the passes market and there is only time until the end of this week, unless there is a sale abroad, which would stretch the deadline.
¿Kevin Castaño is a possibility? There were polls for the Colombian but Gallardo put cold cloths. “I didn’t ask for anything. We are working with the possibilities, it is not now. Until the market is closed, I can’t guarantee anything and still with the same position, “said the doll. Will it have another name under the sleeve? It will be seen. The truth is that River seems to need a central flyer more so that that position Key is not an Achilles heel.