Football
Jason Davis, U.S. soccer writer 8y

Javier Pastore, MF, PSG & Argentina: #CopaRank: No. 23

Welcome to #CopaRank, a weeklong look at the top 25 players we expect to see at the Copa America Centenario. Over 50 ESPN FC experts and writers from across the globe voted, and we're rolling out the results right up to opening day, U.S. vs. Colombia, on June 3.

Why is Javier Pastore in the top 25?

A member of PSG's French league juggernaut, Pastore is a creative midfielder in the traditional Argentine mold -- good with the ball at his feet, willing to go at defenders, capable of unlocking things with a single pass and dedicated to defending when not in possession. Pastore is thrilling to watch and difficult to defend, and isn't afraid to go in for a challenge to recover the ball. His abilities are the reason he made the high-profile move to PSG from Palermo for a then-French record fee of €42 million back in 2011, and also why PSG manager Laurent Blanc was frustrated by the amount of time Pastore missed due to injury in 2015-16.

What the experts say about Pastore:

"He is the new Zidane. He is very strong and complete. Within two years he'll be worth as much as Messi." -- Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini, September 2010.

"Javier, he is just so unpredictable. This boy does things that only talented players like him can do. At the same time, he is able to do things that can't be rationally explained. He can sometimes put the team at risk, even if at the end of the day we won 3-1 and he scored two goals. So I can only congratulate him but when I must tell him off, I will do it because he is someone who needs that." -- PSG manager Laurent Blanc.

Career highlight:

Pastore's full arrival in the Argentina team didn't happen until 2015, when he helped the side to a final appearance at the Copa America in Chile.

Stat of the season:

Pastore was fourth on PSG in chances created with 29, despite playing just 16 games due to injury.

What next for Pastore after the Copa America Centenario?

Pastore is definitely a wanted man, with Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp among those reportedly chasing his signature. Reports out of France indicate Pastore could stay with PSG after talks with the club's brass. Either way, a good Copa America will only fuel rumors that Pastore could be on his way out of Paris.


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