Quantcast
View from the Kop

What’s Next For Pacheco?

|
Image for What’s Next For Pacheco?

HOW young Dani Pacheco must feel when he sees his former club Barcelona dominate so spectacularly, both domestically and abroad, is anyone’s guess. Just like Cesc Fabregas, Pacheco left the Catalan club to take advantage of the fact that English clubs can offer professional contracts at an earlier age than the Spanish can.

Unlike Fabregas, Pacheco’s career has not quite taken off.

Nicknamed El Asesino, the assassin was highly thought of at La Masia with his creativity and goalscoring touch earning him a status as ‘one to watch’.

This caused an air of mild expectancy when his transfer to Liverpool was confirmed. Despite him being aged only a tender 17, the fact that Liverpool had attracted a young forward away from the most progressive club in Europe seemed like incredibly good business.

On Pacheco’s part it was an interesting move. At the time of the transfer, Frank Rijkaard was in charge at Camp Nou. The Dutchman enjoyed a very successful time with Barca but used very different strategies than those employed by the even more successful Pep Guardiola. Rijkaard used superstar forwards – already household names around the world – such as Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho, Ludovic Giuly and Henrik Laarson. He did start to integrate the young Lionel Messi, but even Steve McClaren would have noticed what a decent little player he was going to be.

Pacheco maybe didn’t see a way of progression within this set-up and took his chances by joining Liverpool. Our world famous club, riding the crest of a wave after two European Cup Finals in three years, and with a deep rooted Spanish contingent, must have seemed like a sensible move.

It must have felt like splitting up from Kelly Brook to take a chance with Cheryl Cole. Both top notch but it would take a special offer from one to make you leave a potentially fruitful life with the other. Whether Pacheco thought that his chances of making the Liverpool first team were much greater than that of Barcelona’s, or simply the opportunity of a guaranteed professional contract at an earlier age, he obviously came to the decision that he would be wise to make the switch.
[ad_pod id=”unruly-video” align=”center”]
Five years on and the young man must be questioning whether he made the right decision. A swift glance at his previous club must make him wonder. Before Guardiola’s arrival, Pedro Rodriguez was playing in the Barcelona B team. He has since gone on to be one of the most important players in their incredible success.

The likes of Cristian Tello and Isaac Cuenca, both the same age and position as Pacheco, have been given plenty of game time by the club. Guardiola’s intent to play the ultimate tiki-taka style has lent itself to these young, nimble forwards. Had Pacheco have hung around longer, he too may have played important roles in La Liga matches and the latter stages of the Champions League.

As things have transpired, instead of learning his trade at Barcelona B, in the Spanish second tier, Pacheco has played countless Liverpool reserve matches in front of one man and his dog along with a successful, but short loan spell with Norwich City, and a disappointing season on loan with Rayo Vallecano.

A handful of cameo Liverpool first team appearances have never lead to an extended run in the side and the next chapter in his stalling career could be make or break.

I write this on the eve of another season. Tomorrow Liverpool head deep into the unknown to take on FC Gomel in Belarus.

The tie with Gomel holds parallels with the Europa League qualifiers of two seasons ago when FK Rabotnicki were put to the sword in early August. That tie marked Roy Hodgson’s first games in charge and also the only time that Pacheco has ever played a full game for the club.

Back to the present day, and while pre-season friendlies must always be taken with a bucket load of salt, the fact that Pacheco played no part at all in Liverpool’s final match of their pre-season American tour may shed some light as to whether he will play tomorrow, or ever again for the club.

At the age of 21, Pacheco needs to get his career going. At the moment there is no reason why he shouldn’t be able to force his way into Rodgers’ thinking. Pacheco’s style would seemingly fit in perfectly with the way our new boss likes to play, and his penchant for quick, clever attackers should suit the Spaniard down to the ground. With gaping holes in the forward lines after the departures of Maxi and Kuyt, the absence of Bellamy and Suarez, and the continued speculation surrounding Carroll’s future, if Pacheco can’t force himself into the reckoning right now then he may as well head for the exit door permanently too.

The fact that he hasn’t been given many chances in the past isn’t really a fault of his own. His performances for the Reserves had most Kopites begging for his introduction to first team proceedings even back in the Benitez days.

The transition from Reserves to First Team is something that hasn’t been quite right at Anfield for a long time, although we have seen signs of improvement recently through the likes of Martin Kelly and Jon Flanagan, with hopefully Raheem Sterling, amongst others about to receive more exposure.

The way in which our friend down the East Lancs Road has managed his squads over the years has been key to their success. Giving youngsters first team games to build up their experience and confidence is something he has excelled at. I don’t for one second believe that Liverpool haven’t accommodated youth or reserve players of a similar standard to John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Jonny Evans, Federico Macheda or Kieran Richardson, but these players are integrated carefully at Old Trafford, given starts against teams lower down the league, and gradually built up into recognised squad players. Not only does it build up the skills of these players but it also gives the star men chance to rest and recover at appropriate times.

I am very optimistic about the appointment of Brendan Rodgers and I trust that he has a real desire to technically develop all of our players, young and old. It is certainly not his fault if players from our Academy and those promising youngsters brought in from abroad, haven’t been successfully integrated into the first team. And if Rodgers achieves his ambitions at Liverpool by signing ready-made stars or using the same 16 players all year then great, but it would be a shame to see the likes of Suso, Sterling and Joao Carlos Teixeira end up in a similar predicament to the confusing one of Dani Pacheco.

Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com

Follow us on Twitter here: @live4Liverpool and ‘Like’ us on Facebook

Share this article

24 comments

  • Damo says:

    Led to. Past tense of to lead is led!

  • Steven says:

    My heart goes out to him! I still think he has much to offer, but not getting the break he needs!
    During the pre season he showed glimpses and was more exciting than most!
    I hope BR sees the same!
    YNWA

    • Chan says:

      He is a talented lad but does it surprise you that a clown like KD or even RH can’t see his talent. Only Rafa can come out of this with any dignity intact.

      We have plenty more talented younster but does BR have the GUTS and brains to use them? Only time would tell.

    • Asante says:

      Dani is a great talent who can prove himself if giving the chance. we all saw what he did during pre-season. I would be very disappointed if we are not able to use him and let him leave. I hope BR gives him some run in the first team this season. Suso, Teixeira, Coady and Raheem as well…YNWA

  • Terry says:

    Sack BR he is a joke andhe is going to be worse than hodgson.YNWA

  • juan says:

    I think Pacheco has been treated horrendously by the club. Any time Ive seen him get 5 minutes on the pitch he has impressed. He was one of the success stories of the North american tour in my opinion, I cant name another Liverpool player that played better.

    When a technically gifted player cant make the Europa squad when so many players have left, others are not fit or not performing its no wonder this club is in such strife. If Pacheco were English he would be a shoe in. For his own career sake I hope he leaves because he has been a model professional and he deserves better. Watching Jay Spearing, Downing and Henderson get as many minutes as they do must break Pachecos heart.

    And heres me thinking Rodgers would have the balls to actually choose players on merit and not because of where they are from. Farce.

    • Chris says:

      Which club did you manage recently? The fact that Rafa, Woy, Dalglish and now BR (plus his loan managers) don’t think he’s good enough means he probably isn’t. You clearly know more than all these. We should have hired you.

      Whilst I think he always looks decent, there must be something that all these managers see in training which means he won’t make it.

    • Chris says:

      Which club did you manage recently? The fact that Rafa, Woy, Dalglish and now BR (plus his loan managers) don’t think he’s good enough means he probably isn’t. You clearly know more than all these. We should have hired you.

      Whilst I think he always looks decent, there must be something that all these managers see in training which means he won’t make it.

      • Lee says:

        so you have to have been a manager to have an opinion??
        the poor kid should have been released if previous regimes didnt think he could cut, but they must have seen something in him to persevere! and lets face it, all the previous managers have spent millions on players that the next manager has tried to offload!

      • juan says:

        Agree with all of that Lee.

        @Chris

        Pacheco was still quiet young when Rafa was in charge. Had he kept his job chances are Pachecos development at the club would be much further down the road by now.

        Are you not capable of questioning a managers judgement? Last time I looked we finished 8th in the league. Maybe if players like Pacheco had received more of a run when underperforming players like Downing, Henderson and Spearing kept their place we wouldnt be in the situation we’re in now.

        Some people are sheep.

      • Chan says:

        The last manager spent more than 100 mill, bought clowns like Downing (0 goals, o assist), Henderson, Carroll and Adams just because they are`all British ,finished 8th and broke all the wrong records. Its our “opinions” that got contributed in him getting the boot (thank you Mr. Henry).

        So going by your logic, we should be keeping the last 2 buffons then?

      • Shaun says:

        Chris..Chris..Chris…Listen lad! Downing, Henderson and Spearing are not worth more than 5mill quid combined! Pacheco played wonderful in Toronto and Boston! Actually, he was the best player in both the games he played. B.R. Still has Cole, Aquilani, Adam, Henderon (they won’t get rid of, but he’s absolutely crap with his “stiff neck” that doesn’t turn and just looks at the ground!), Downing on the payroll! All should be gone! I’d rather use Shelvey, Pacheco, Suso, Lucas, Stevie…If I was Pacheco, Id tweet..”Just sell me let me move on!” The same they did with Nemeth, sold Dalle Valle and killed many youngsters careers! Are we all gonna wait on Sterling only??? Come on Rodgers…Wake up, you don’t need to spend on Allen this year..use your young players and build!

    • Scottypool says:

      I thought Shelvey played the best on the American tour. And I rate Sterling and Suso ahead of him still.

    • Ian says:

      Completely agree, aadd cole henderson and spearing together and they don’t make half the talent of Pacheco has, ooo and he must be on about 1/10th of their wage bill. Disgraceful how this club treats him really is, I hope he goes to a club that actually appreciates talented players unlike ours that believes unfit lard ass cole is going to be our saving,,,,atrocious.

  • I do feel for sorry young Dani……it doesn’t look good for the little fella if you consider that Eccleston is in the squad either.

    Thought he has been one of the brightest players so far from a pretty ordinary pre-season. He can beat players, good technique, passing ability, vision and seems to have a good attitude. I think it’s about where to play him if I’m honest…….not sure he has the defensive intelligence to play in a 3 up front and would probably be better suited to a free role in 4-5-1. If I was Rodgers I would send him to a PL club on loan and see if he can progress……the lad is only 21 and although he doesn’t seem to get the breaks needed he could go out on loan and have a stormer.

    The other posisibility could be that he will be selected for the home leg of we get a good result over in Belarus…..let’s see!

    • juan says:

      The fact that he cant make a Europa squad when Bellamy and Suarez are out, when Maxi, Kuyt have left the club and when some of the returning international players wouldnt be at full fitness speaks volumes. For the sake of his own career I hope Pacheco leaves.

      Shame because no doubt we will end up paying 10-20 million in the future to fill a spot that could have been Pachecos were he given half the chance.

  • J75J says:

    Question is what do attacking youth/reserve team players got to do to get a run of first team games at Anfield! Sterling doesn’t count he cost £2 million!!!!!

  • Tony says:

    I really feel for him, he should have been given a chance years ago. To think players like Veronin & Ngog got picked ahead of him back then was ridiculous.

    Now players like Spearing gets pick week in and out, because he’s scouse, but the fact is that he wouldn’t make any other premier league side.

    I hope BR see’s that there is still a lot of poor quality in the squad, Spearing & Adam need to be sold, henderson needs to played in the correct position, or loan him out. Carragher needs to retire, and we need to hold on to Agger & Skrtel, Bellamy.

  • Bill says:

    Who’s to say he wont get a go in the second leg? BR isn’t interested in the Europas anyway He’s concentrating on avoiding taking us down.

  • Victor says:

    Suarez is in olymps. Carrol was left. Only borini is the main striker. Are u expctng us 2 score goals with adams, spearing, n the likes. Pacheco shwd great determination in tryng 2 beat his fulbac. I thnk he shld be our 4th striker

  • NJRedsFan says:

    Saw Pacheco in Boston and thought he played well when they actually played the ball to him. His off ball movement was good and he worked hard to make what looked like a relatively narrow pitch as wide as possible. Unfortunately for Dani the half played out as if Rodgers had specifically given orders for the ball to be forced down the right side, the youngsters in that side failing pretty miserably. When Pacheco did actually get the ball all he did was set up Adam for LFC’s lone goal.

  • RedRoy says:

    Pacheco has had bad luck, as our bad run has’nt given Hodgson or KD the chance to put the kids in. Maybe with Rodgers this could change, i certainly hope so. We have some talented youngsters with Morgan, Sterling and Suso, who are not so far off. YNWA.

Comments are closed.