It may have taken the best part of ten years but Argentina midfielder Ever Banega appears to be finally fulfilling the enormous potential he showed as a teenager breaking into the Boca Juniors side. Inconsistency and downright stupidity have cost Banega throughout his earlier career but after gaining the trust of Gerardo Martino, the 27-year-old impressed against Brazil last week and again in the humidity of Barraquilla in the victory over Colombia. He is now at a potentially defining moment in his career; with six months remaining on his current contract at Sevilla, Banega could be one of the most sought after free agents in Europe and as a result the likes of Everton, Manchester United, Juventus and Roma are circling.  Finally in the spotlight after a series of false starts, Banega’s next career move must be the correct one or he risks wasting his talent.

Argentina’s recent injury crisis was compounded when enganche and Gerardo Martino’s seemingly preferred option Javier Pastore joined the list of those on the treatment table. With a hugely significant clasico against Brazil looming, options appeared scarce so when it was revealed that La Albiceleste would field a midfield three of Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia and Ever Banega, there were some doubts over whether this formation would provide enough forward thrust and creativity.

The burden in that regard would fall to Banega given that Mascherano’s role is to do the dirty work in front of the defence and Biglia’s, despite being a little more offensive, is to support and keep possession. All three men could be or, at least have been, described as ‘number fives’ – one of the positions most revered in Argentine football. Loosely it is the position of a defensive midfielder shielding the back four and initiating the attacks. However, the manner in which this is done can vary hugely, ranging from the aggressive destroyer who gains adulation for his huevos and leadership, like Mascherano, to the elegant artistry of a deep lying playmaker, like Fernando Redondo. In spite of this variability, playing with three fives would appear overly cautious and likely to cause the disconnect with the attack that has plagued Gerardo Martino’s tenure so far.

In pushing Banega to the point of the midfield triangle, behind lone striker Gonzalo Higuain and between pacy widemen Angel Di Maria and Ezequiel Lavezzi, Martino reaped the rewards of playing to the Sevilla player’s strengths. While combative enough to hold his own in central midfield, without a stifling burden of defensive duties he was able to display his wonderful array of passing and creativity in the opposition half.  Any pre-Brazil match fears now seem obsolete and Banega may well have staked his claim for a future place in Martino’s midfield even after Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero return from injury.

This identity crisis of positions for Banega stretches back to his teenage years both with Boca and the national team. Banega captured the eye starring in the last Argentina under-20 World Cup winning side in 2007 alongside Sergio Aguero and Angel Di Maria. As La Albiceleste swept to a fifth world title in twelve years, Banega shone in the number five role but it was his outstanding passing ability and awareness that stood out above any defensive work. Earlier in the year, the 18-year-old had already broken into the Boca Juniors first team following the sale of Fernando Gago to Real Madrid and the Rosario-born youngster proved an instant hit. Replacing the talented but undoubtedly less expansive Gago, and with the iconic Juan Roman Riquelme operating further upfield, Banega was forced deeper but his range of passing was evident. Boca captured the Copa Libertadores just weeks prior to the under-20 World Cup and Banega was the one to watch.

This prompted Valencia to shell out €20 million in January 2008 and although Banega had already created some negative publicity when he celebrated the under-20 World Cup by trashing his hotel room, there was more to come after he arrived in Spain. Some rather explicit webcam images were leaked online and rumours suggested that the 19-year-old was concentrating more on the Valencian nightlife than he was on training. A largely underwhelming loan to Atletico Madrid followed and Everton first expressed their interest, with only an apparent work permit issue denying Banega a switch to Goodison Park.

With Unai Emery in charge at Los Che, Banega remained at the Mestalla and forced his way back into recognition to such an extent that before the 2012 Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona, Pep Guardiola earmarked the Argentine as the biggest threat to his side: “Banega is a fantastic player. We’ll need to be alert to render him ineffective.” Barca did that and weeks after the semi-final defeat, Banega managed to run over his foot after forgetting to apply the handbrake in his car when at a petrol station. This latest incident in a series of somewhat idiotic mistakes resulted in a fractured ankle, ruling him out for six months and ultimately appearing to signal the end of a Valencia career that had promised more than it had delivered.

A return to Argentina with Newell’s Old Boys on loan was not a positive sign but thankfully his old Valencia coach, Unai Emery was now in Sevilla and fancied another crack at getting the best from Banega.  Last season’s reunion was a resounding success with Sevilla finishing fifth and Banega putting in a man of the match performance to help Los Rojiblancos defeat Dnipro in the Europa League final.

For Sevilla, Banega has had the protection of Stephane Mbia and Grzegorz Krychowiak behind him and this has allowed him to flourish in the exact same way that Gerardo Martino was able to utilize for Argentina in these two World Cup qualifiers. Banega was able to press further up the field and assist in winning the ball back early and when Argentina were in possession he could find the spaces behind the striker to look for the runs of the wide players.

It is no surprise that in this most settled period of Banega’s career he is producing his best football and crucially on a more consistent basis. Talks with Sevilla are ongoing and his agent Marcelo Simonian recently told Sevilla ABC that “we’re in good harmony and making progress.”

Until any such contract extension is signed, Banega will find himself with a large number of suitors. Everton’s interest never appears to have dissipated since their failed transfer in 2009 but the prospect of snapping up such a talent for no fee has Manchester United, Juventus and Roma all making tentative enquiries. Back in the Argentina line-up having been cut from Alejandro Sabella’s 2014 World Cup squad, the 27-year-old Banega must choose wisely. Regular football in a system that he knows and trusts is a must; having found that it could prove foolish to move again but more than anything Banega must not allow past bad habits to creep back in.