X-ray of Exequiel Zeballos, the crack that appears in Boca: a piece of pure imbalance and a detail that Riquelme praised

Exequiel Zeballos had his big night at the Bombonera. Against the Tigre, with a brace and pure imbalance, the boy from Santiago del Estero heard his nickname in Brandsen 805 for the first time. A 2022 that sees him as protagonist, supported by the TD and with praise from Juan Román Riquelme, Tevez, Barros Schelotto and companions. Is it your time to keep the Boca property?

The boy trained and supported by Boca Predio de Ezeiza took on a different role at the beginning of the year. After dribbling at the end of 2021, the summer found him as a starter and a step ahead of Sebastián Villa in the eyes of the coaching staff. Then the coffee farmer, for sheer effectiveness, performance and strong participation (he’s the team’s best assist) regained ground. But in the Libertadores, the ape started to get an idea. With logical ups and downs, with a step by step knowledge and the friction of the first division which always supposes a difficulty.

But Sebastian Battaglia supported him. Now he has 5 games in a row as a starter and is no longer tied to the left sector, he moves throughout the offensive attack to show off one of his great virtues: shooting with both legs with the same accuracy. Against Tigre he turns from left, with a step into the box, and in the second goal from right, he crosses. A small taste of his characteristics, those that led him to jump from the Reserve to the First Division, and then rearrange himself with the younger ones until he fully earns his chance among the greats of the squad.

“Zeballos has one thing that few do: he manages both profiles. He shoots penalties, free kicks … We take care of him, we help him to make a difference little by little and once he gets to the First Division he does it to stay”he was the forerunner of the club’s vice president in 2021. This year he has begun to be seen more consistently.

The boy from La Banda (Santiago del Estero) has already done it 36 holdings in Boca. And he accumulates 19 games as a starter, with 4 goals. Much more than any other guy in his position over the past decade at the club. But in Boca all those who drive mark the path of prudence. “All those compliments to Changuito must make him happy but at the same time keep his feet on the ground and continue to grow as he has always done”, underlined Battaglia after the victory against Tigre. And he avoided making comparisons with Guillermo Barros Schelotto with a joke: “They have things in common … the number”.

It is that the DT knows very well how the voices around the praise for young people can influence the performance. It happened to Alan Varela, who only recently bought back the property, and to other guys from the institute. For this reason, the coach revalidates him where needed: putting him as a starter.

The 20 million dollars which is signed as termination clause with the club today they also have better reinsurance: Zeballos understands that this year he must take the opportunity to play, show off and explode in Boca. If that happens, the polls for him in Ajax, Monaco, Napoli and the Premier League will later turn into concrete chances. For him and for everyone at the club it is also about The perfect replacement for Villa if he is transferred or if his judicial situation worsens. And even if Eduardo Salvio, already with the concrete offer on the table, decides to emigrate from the country after June 30th.