'He has a strong physique': Manager hails Aston Villa's £7m ace as star earns first ever international call-up
He is in the squad for the first time...
The Aston Villa man could be about to make his international debut before he has even played a competitive game in the Premier League.
Because, after leaving Villa Park on loan only weeks after he arrived during the summer transfer window, Enzo Barrenechea has impressed enough in very difficult circumstances to earn a place in Argentina’s senior squad for the very first time.
Despite starting only four La Liga matches in the colours of Valencia – the last two fixtures postponed amid those horrific floods – Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni likes what he sees.
The midfielder joined Aston Villa for around £7 million as part of the deal which took Douglas Luiz to Juventus and Barrenechea, Scaloni believes, can give the reigning World and South American champions a bit of flexibility in the centre of the park.
Options. A dash of versatility. Barrenechea has been labelled a ‘remarkable’ athlete, and that running power could come in handy alongside the older members of this squad.
Aston Villa’s Enzo Barrenechea has impressed Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni
“Enzo is a midfielder who can play as a central midfielder, can play as a defensive midfielder, as a number eight. He has a strong physique,” Scaloni tells reporters during his Wednesday press conference.
“It will do him good to be with us, to play for Valencia, to get matches in.
“And his call-up, beyond his performance, is also about finding players who can be with us in the future.”
Still only 23, Barrenechea is one of a number of rising stars in Scaloni’s squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.
Nehuen Perez, Nico Paz, Thiago Almada, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho and Leicester City loanee Facundo Buonanotte have also been included. Alongside Barrenechea, they are all under the age of 24, and have just 19 Albiceleste caps between them.
Twinkle-toed teenager Buonanotte has caught the eye of Tottenham Hotspur, TBR understands, as he continues to impress away from Brighton and Hove Albion.
“If so many youngsters have come, it is because there is potential,” Scaloni adds. “Argentina is a breeding ground for players and you just have to have the desire. Or we, in the coaching staff, [have to] give them the responsibility of playing in the senior team.
“The path now depends on them, to put on the shirt and never take it off again. [Barrenechea] is training and we continue to see him. Beyond the fact that we know him, it is important that he relates with his new teammates.”
Barrenechea speaks out about Argentina dream during Valencia loan spell
Formerly of Newell’s Old Boys, Barrenechea was snapped up by Aston Villa following an impressive spell at Frosinone in 2023/24.
Like Samuel Iling-Junior, who joined alongside him from Juventus, Barrenechea will have to wait to make his mark under Unai Emery.
Villa obviously felt that both players would be better served spending the current campaign out on loan, with John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Youri Tielemans and the returning Boubakar Kamara ensuring that Emery currently boasts one of the strongest midfield set-ups in the whole of the Premier League.
“I am very happy and content,” Barrenechea says when speaking last week about his somewhat unexpected Argentina call-up.
“It is a dream that I had since I was little. I did not expect it at this moment and it [gave me] immense joy. I had the opportunity to be in the youth category, but I always had the desire of being able to play an official tournament with the senior team
“I see [my Argentina teammates] as idols. I watched most of them when they were young and having the opportunity to share with all of them is crazy. I know the level I’m going to find. They are the best.
“I’m ready.”
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