Steve Bruce might’ve insisted that Rodrigo Vilca would start life at NUFC with the U-23’s – but The Chronicle report that the Peruvian talent has already had a chance to train with our senior side.
It’s believed that whilst many first-team players are away on international duty, Vilca has been called up to first-team training so that Bruce and his coaching staff can take a closer look at him – and it’ll help to determine where he could potentially fit at NUFC going forward.
It’s common practice for young players to train with the first team – but it’s particularly interesting in Vilca’s situation as he’s such an unknown entity.
It seems the 21-year-old’s talent has never been doubted by those in Peru, but his physicality certainly has – and I assume that’s why Bruce will be keeping a close eye on him in training this week.
He’ll get an early idea as to whether he can make the step up against the physicality of Premier League players.
As I’ve always said, we should expect little from Vilca – and then we’ll be surprised if he does in fact burst into the first-team. The club have obviously seen something in him to pay £250,000; so hopefully he’ll end up as our next bargain buy!
He doesn’t even have to be named in Bruce’s 25-man squad to be involved this year – as players 21 and under don’t have be registered!
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Shame he didn’t do the same for Elias Sorenson who looks like an excellent prospect but sent off on another (no doubt) useless loan organised by Shola Ameobi !
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