Bit difficult to see Liverpool take on River given they've been in the Segunda all season

You're wrong on just about all the rest too. Students of mine when I arrived wanted to know how I already knew so much. Answer? Because I'd been learning about Uruguayan football - and about Uruguay - for 22 years beforehand. And have learned infinitely more since too. :)

Silva? Define 'regarded'. Uruguayan football afficionados tend to rave about young players: the talent here (except in midfield, where Uruguayan kids aren't coached properly: like in England, they have parents screaming everything under the sun at coaches, opponents and officials too: everything is about fighting (not literally, but figuratively) and winning from a terrifyingly young age) is scary, but the facilities and infrastructure are a joke.

But the national team distrusts young players in almost all cases. Why? An ultra-conservative manager who's become a parody of himself - and a broader public which demands commitment over technique. Look at Cebolla: no-one with his build would be a creative player for any other country, but he is with Uruguay. The public doesn't like 'pecho frios': meaning technical or young players almost always get it in the neck. All very sad.

Meaning in Silva's case, on the back of one run with Wanderers which won't be repeated now they've faded back into the pack, it's far too soon to tell. And besides: Giorgian de Arrascaeta lit up last year's Libertadores FAR more, and he didn't even make the World Cup squad. Which was a damn disgrace and helped presage Uruguay's sad, tame exit.

PS. Even with all that said: Chile v Uruguay looms in the Copa last 8 IMO. And Chile will lose on penalties. :) Brazil to beat Colombia in the final. ;-)

Posted By: thebigfeller, Jun 3, 06:13:10