Venezuela is a home for a few of South America’s future wonderkids.
This is why for this week’s BabaScouted edition, Juan Gafas chose to focus on a young promising player from the country suffering from a socio-economic and political crisis.
Jovanny Bolívar. (Photo: DC United)
Jovanny Bolívar
Age: 19
Club: DC United (MLS).
Position: Forward, Attacking Midfielder, Winger.
Nationality: Venezuelan.
Market Value: €400,000 (Transfermarkt).
Why follow him: Bolívar is yet to play an official game for DC United, but his skills impressed me back when he played in Venezuela, and during a recent spell with DC’s second team in the USL.
He can play upfront as a forward, in a wider position, or in a deeper role operating between the lines. I think this last option is where he is at his best; taking advantage of his strong technical skills and good orientation to turn quickly upon receiving, advancing whilst exchanging passes, or threatening from outside the box.
En el encuentro del Loudoun United FC Darluis Paz jugó 68 minutos, y Jovanny Bolívar estuvo todo el encuentro y anotó el gol de la victoria para su equipo.
— Alma Deportiva 🇻🇪 (@AlmaDeportivaTV) July 1, 2021
2-1 frente a Pittsburgh Riverhounds.#Vinotinto pic.twitter.com/fsHTveGQqE
His ability to deliver line-breaking passes should improve if he gets the opportunity to play in this role at a higher level. At the moment though, he is not bad at doing this and, apart from passing and shooting, he offers some penetration with forward runs in behind the defence, alongside his ability to carry the ball forward quickly.
Physically he is pretty average, he will not lead the line playing upfront, but he will get into duels and shield the ball under pressure well enough. He is not very fast, but has enough pace to play out wide. I haven’t seen him enough in that position, but from what I’ve seen I believe he will perform better centrally.
Bolívar is an interesting young player who showed promising skills in the USL. I can’t say I’m absolutely sure it is enough for him to earn his spot in the MLS but, by working harder out of possession, adding more intensity to his game, and some improvements on the ball, he could make this dream come true. I will be following him closely.
