Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez are, without question, Chile's two best players. For both their clubs and their country, they are true superstars, with the ability to play multiple positions for any team in the world. At this Copa America, they've just looked OK. The star that's shined brightest is advanced playmaker Jorge Valdivia.
Jorge Valdivia keeps shining for Chile at Copa America
He’s not Chile’s most famous player, but their pure playmaker is making his mark on the squad.
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Part of that is that Vidal and Sanchez attract so much attention. And Valdivia is a true No. 10, in need of accommodating, not someone who can be plugged into a side without a plan to mask his deficiencies. Without the two stars and other members of the Chilean supporting cast, there is no Valdivia. But Jorge Sampaoli has decided that it’s worth his while to sacrifice in other areas to fit Valdivia into his team, and it’s a move that’s paid off so far.
Valdivia has been great in all of his appearances so far, but he had his best match yet in the Copa America quarterfinal against Uruguay, setting up the lone goal in a 1-0 victory. He ran the show behind the forwards, regularly creating his team's best chances of the game, and his assist for Mauricio Isla's winner was gorgeous.
That pass is a basic one, but look what he does before it. The first touch he takes and the way he moves towards the ball makes two Uruguay defenders believe that he’s going to take a rip. Instead, he touches it to Isla, who has a completely uncontested shot because Valdivia drew two blue shorts towards him.
While that might have been his most effective play of the night, it certainly wasn’t his most spectacular. His nutmeg of Jorge Fucile earns that honor.
These were Valdivia’s two big, noteworthy highlights, but they were just small parts of a very complete attacking performance against a Uruguay team that defended very well until even as they melted down in the second half, picking up two red cards.
He might not have the time and space to make the plays he does without two bigger superstars around him and a manager willing to mask his deficiencies, but Valdivia has proven himself as just important to Chile as Vidal and Sanchez. If they beat one of South America’s top teams in the Copa America final, Valdivia is likely to be a big part of their victory.
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