If you missed it already, the countdown of the new Golazo 50 began yesterday so you can catch 50-46 here and if you don’t know what this is, it is the annual look at the 50 best young players in Argentina.

All the information about the list is in the first part so let’s get on with part two: 45-41…

Facundo Colidio
04/01/2000
Inter Milan
Centre forward

Snapped up by Inter Milan for around €8 million before even making his Boca Juniors debut, Facundo Colidio has long been heralded as one of Argentina’s most talented youngsters.

Something of a complete number nine, Colidio does his best work in the penalty area but with decent pace, a good touch and the physicality to hold the ball up, the 18-year-old can do a bit of everything. A regular goal scorer in Inter’s reserve side, the Rafaela-born striker fired the club to the Supercoppa and the league title and honing his craft behind compatriots Mauro Icardi and Lautaro Martínez, it’s only a matter of time before Colidio gets his shot.

While the youngster waits patiently for that, Coli remains central to Argentina’s youth sides and will be one of the options up front during the Sudamericano. When Lionel Scaloni’s under-20s lifted the COTIF trophy in 2018, Colidio scored three goals and was named best player of the tournament so eyes will be on him in Chile.

Cristian Romero
27/04/1998
Genoa
Centre back

The ex-Belgrano centre back first broke through in 2017 and was hotly tipped as one of the top defensive prospects coming through.  However, ill-discipline at the under-20 Sudamericano and a lack of playing time in the first half of 2018 somewhat put the dampeners on the hype around Cuti.  A move to Genoa in the summer didn’t cause much of a stir but the 20-year-old from Córdoba has taken to life in Serie A like a duck to water, making 11 appearances and attracting interest from Juventus and Inter.

A physical defender who is not afraid to put his body in the line of fire, Romero is strong in the air, quick across the ground and fond of a gallivant forward, albeit occasionally putting himself in high risk situations.  Italy has proven to be the perfect finishing school to refine the latent potential and should he continue the way he has started at Il Grifone, then it won’t be long before he plays his way into the national team conversation.

Pedro de la Vega
07/02/2001
Lanús
Attacking midfield

Without doubt one of the revelations of the Superliga this season, Pedro de la Vega came from nowhere to burst into the Lanús first team and make an immediate impact with his dribbling ability and willingness to run at defenders.

Soon after taking over as manager Luis Zubeldía immediately took the 17-year-old from the youth sides, skipping the reserves all together, and threw the schoolboy into his team. Despite defeat to league leaders Racing Club that day, De La Vega shone and cutting in off the left wing came close to a dream debut goal. While that maiden strike hasn’t yet come, Pepo has continued to torment defenders and been rewarded with a spot in Fernando Batista’s Argentina under-20 squad for the Sudamericano.

Given how poor Lanús have been over the past six months, De La Vega provided a glimmer of light and now time will tell whether the skilful forward is a flash in the pan or on course to develop into something very special.

Tomás Chancalay
01/01/1999
Colón
Forward

Colón’s decision to not allow Tomás Chancalay to represent Argentina under-20s at the COTIF in L’Alcúdia may have ultimately cost the forward a place at the Sudamericano and while it may prevent the 20-year-old showcasing his talents to a wider audience it was with good reason that El Sabalero were so reluctant to lose the youngster. 

Spotted by Colón at the age of nine, Chancalay has long been one of the club’s greatest hopes and since making his senior debut against Rosario Central in August 2017 the forward has gradually become a key first team player. 

Quick, strong and with an eye for goal Chancalay scored three goals in his first season and has so far added two goals and two assists in eight starts this term. 2019 will be an important year for the kid from Entre Ríos and could see him take the step to the next level. 

Julián Carranza
22/05/2000
Banfield
Forward

European scouts have been attracted to the Estadio Florencio Sola for the past year to keep tabs on a number of talented prospects being given opportunities to shine in Banfield’s first team and few more so than striker Julián Carranza. 

The 18-year-old has largely had to play second-fiddle to captain Darío Cvitanich but has made the most of his chances since making his senior debut at the tail end of 2017. Five goals in 14 appearances during that maiden campaign, a promising tally that sparked rumours of the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid keeping tabs.

Quick, hard working and clinical, Carranza thrives in the penalty box but has shown the ability and maturity to work for the team and hold the ball up with his back to goal when required. Still filling that back-up role and as such only firing a single goal this term, it could be an important season for Carranza. Cvitanich could be off and under new boss Hernán Crespo, there are few better centre forwards from which to learn.

Thanks to anyone who helped out with compiling the list but special thanks to Tom Robinson for his input and player profiles. Part III will be up shortly…