Argentinian Defender Marcos Senesi Emerges as Premier League’s Most Offensive Player

Senesi and coach Andoni Iraola, during the draw against Manchester United (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)

The 2-2 draw between Bournemouth and Manchester United on matchday 33 of the Premier League left as a corollary the fight in the networks between Alejandro Garnacho and coach Erik Ten Hag after the coach replaced the winger at halftime, and the fact that the local team ensured its permanence in the elite of English football with five games ahead. But behind the scenes, with a low profile, an Argentine became the most offensive defender in the English First Division.

Marcos Senesi, central marker, 26 years old, gave the two assists for the home owner, which meant the 1-0 and the partial 2-1. Thus, he is the defender with the most direct participation (7) in his team’s goals in the championship – he participated in 32 games. He had already signed three conquests and accumulated four assists – which also established him as a leader in the field of his team, which has renowned footballers such as Justin Kluivert -. As if that were not enough, he is the defender with the most duels won in the tournament, with an average of 5.8 every 90 minutes.

In the first goal, he anticipated Garnacho and scored the ball for the run of Dominic Solanke, who swung himself to finish getting rid of his marker and take a cross shot in pursuit of opening the score. And, in the second, he drove from the back until he detected the solitude of the aforementioned Kluivert on the right of the area. The Dutchman entered the definition zone and did not forgive.

For the Gladiator, as he was baptized during his time at Feyenoord, this is not new. With five conquests in just two seasons, he is already the third highest-scoring Argentine center back in the Premier, behind Nicolás Otamendi and Julio Arca (eight each). In his career, which began in San Lorenzo, he inflated the network 15 times, of which he did so eight times in the Netherlands, where they even dedicated a documentary to him. Everything, without taking free kicks or penalties.

Just one year in the most powerful league of the moment allowed him, for example, for Bournemouth to try set-piece plays that have him as the protagonist. The team led by the Spanish Andoni Iraola usually works on blocks and curtains so that Senesi is one of those who tries to reach space freely.

* Senesi’s two assists and the best actions of the draw between Bournemouth and Manchester United

He is not, of course, unknown to Argentine football. After breaking through from the Ciclón youth team, the Entre Ríos native from Concordia went through youth teams and played in the Sub 20 World Cup in South Korea in 2017 (he started the three games the team played and scored a goal in the 5-5 win). 0 to Guinea). Already settled in Europe, he was tempted by Roberto Mancini to play for the Italian team.

“It was real, I had contact with (Roberto) Mancini, who told me about his project; also with the Argentine coaching staff and in that talk I expressed my desire to play for my country. The decision was more than clear,” he told Infobae in an interview published in 2022. It was when he was summoned by Lionel Scaloni for the double FIFA date that included the Finalissima that Argentina beat Italy -the Euro champion- 3-0. -, although he did not make up the substitute bench. He did present himself with the Major days later, on June 5, at the El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona, ​​in the 5-0 win over Estonia that served as preparation for the World Cup in Qatar. On that day a certain Lionel Messi shouted five times…

In the last summons of Gringo Scaloni, facing the tour of the United States, Senesi appeared again, with the latent chance of fighting for a place on the roster for the Copa América in the United States, especially given the streak of injuries of a world champion like Lisandro Martínez. But he suffered a fibrillar rupture in his left leg that robbed him of the opportunity (in his place he was called Nicolás Valentini, from Boca).

He was not intimidated. He recovered and once again made noise from his performance to hold the attention of the National Team’s coaching staff… As much as he had it from Manchester City. The thing is that in the last transfer market he was mentioned in England as one of the alternatives that Pep Guardiola evaluated. And, based on his level, it is expected that in the European summer the lights of more powerful institutions will once again be pointed to him, despite the gratitude he has for Bournemouth and the identification he achieved.

Now, where did the daring and offensive vocation come from, with defense being its priority? Although he arrived at San Lorenzo when he was 12 years old and stood out as a defender, when he started at Salto Grande de Concordia he acted as a central midfielder. The search for him in the rival area brought him 26 goals in the minor divisions, before his jump to the elite.

And speaking of jumping… He also played basketball as a child, until he had to define himself. The times near the orange, as he repeated in private, added his ability to win from high and timming. Condiments that propelled him to become the most offensive defender in the Premier League from a humble team.

Senesi, against Estonia, with the Argentine national team jacket Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
2024-04-18 06:03:00
#City #scouted #Scaloni #National #Team #offensive #defender #Premier #club #practices #attacking #plays