Sebastian Coates

[juanes]

Club:UruguayNacional Montevideo

Nationality:UruguayUruguay

Age:19

Height:1.96 m / 6.43 ft

Weight:86 kg / 189 lbs

Position:Central defender

http://totalfootballmadness.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Sebastian-Coates-1.jpg

Sebastian Coates is one of the most promising players on the entire South American continent. This is not only due to his talent and skills but also because of his size. At the age of 19, this physical prodigy (1.96cm tall and 86kg), is considered the next hope for the defence of Uruguay’s national team in the upcoming years.

 

Coates has played as a centre-back for the Uruguayan side Nacional Montevideo since he was 11-years-old. He came through the ranks and was the captain of all the youth categories of the club. Coates’ talent was spotted early on and he was part of the Uruguayan Under-17 national team back in 2007.

 

Step by step Coates continued to progress and in 2009 he was part of the Uruguayan Under-20 side at the South American Youth Championship (Sudamericano sub-20), where the Uruguayan team finished the tournament in third place. Coates was considered one of the leading players of the team in that tournament, together with another highly rated prospect, Nicolas Lodiero – a former IMScouting Player to Watch. Later on, he was also part of the Uruguayan Under-20 team which played at the Under-20 World Cup in Egypt. Where the Uruguay team reached the last 16 - losing to Brazil 3-1.

 

Coates has also featured for the Nacional first team and has already produced some highly rated performances, especially in the 2009 Copa Libertadores (see video below). His displays and potential makes a move to Europe during summer 2010 something that is very likely to happen. Teams from Italy have already spotted the young starlet and his name has already been linked to clubs such as Inter Milan, Palermo, Fiorentina and it was also reported that Juventus sent scouts to follow Coates’ performances.

 

The 19-year-old is a very tall and very strong player. Even though, he is not extremely fast, he has long legs and great timing with his tackles. These skills together with his strength and size, makes it a really tough task to try and pass him by dribbling or through upper body strength. Even for quick and skilled players.

 

Coates’ heading game is tremendous and his size and strength gives him an advantage against almost any player. He is capable of marking any player inside the box in set play situations and at the other end of the pitch; he is capable of scoring.

 

One might say – "OK, so he is tall and strong, that gives him some natural advantages but what about his technique? And for his size, isn’t he a clumsy player?" Well, that is not the case with Coates.

 

Even though, he is not a dribbler, for his size and role on the field he has decent technique. He is capable of controlling the ball and can hold on to it for a while. He is also capable of quick movements which can help him keep the ball at his feet or break free from his opponents at dead ball situations inside the box. He also has decent passing skills and is a very confident player.

 

It is very likely that Coates will be part of the Uruguay national team in the upcoming 2010 World Cup but it is not certain that he will play, as for the moment the Uruguay coach – Oscar Tabarez, might prefer more experienced players at the back. But, as much as there can be a sure thing in football, at the next World Cup in 2014; Coates will surely play a major part.

 

All in all, Coates has tremendous potential and it seems that under the right guidance and with more game experience, he actually might become a world class defender. He still needs to improve some aspects of his game, like his acceleration, but for his age he is really something special.