- 22 hours ago
Who is Rodrigo De Paul? The Udinese schemer linked with Inter and Liverpool
Emmet Gates
- Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
- 7 min read
Rodrigo De Paul, Udinese’s creator-in-chief, has sparkled once again for the struggling Italian side this season.
Such has been the Argentine’s run of form throughout this campaign that rumours have once again taken off linking him with a big-money move away from the Zebrette.
Following repeated links with Inter over the last couple of summers, Liverpool have now been put forward as a potential destination at the end of the season.
The Reds’ title defence has completely dissipated, with Jurgen Klopp’s side now in real danger of not even qualifying for the next season’s Champions League. They are currently languishing outside the top four in the Premier League table.
What position does Rodrigo De Paul play in?
De Paul plays as Udinese’s main creator, but he isn’t an enganche in the mould of Lionel Messi, Juan Roman Riquelme or Ariel Ortega. Instead, De Paul’s style more resembles Angel Di Maria.
De Paul can shuttle up and down the pitch at rapid pace, and can operate in various roles in midfield and further up in the attacking phase. His versatility has come at a cost, especially whilst playing in the Argentine national team.
He’s been placed in central midfield and tasked with receiving the ball and feeding it into Messi. His willingness to play in such positions has a counter-productive effect, in that it doesn’t maximise De Paul’s qualities.
For Udinese, he tends to play on the right-hand side of a central midfield three, and is given licence to roam forward, and give support to Roberto Pereyra and Udinese’s lone striker, usually Fernando Llorente or Illija Nestorovski.
How good is Rodrigo De Paul?
The Argentine has been at the north-eastern Italian outfit since 2016, after an uneventful stint with Valencia in La Liga.
By 2016 the Frulian outfit were no longer challenging for a top four place in Serie A, with investment capped by the Pozzo family, who own the club.
De Paul subsequently emerged as one of the club’s best players since the days of Antonio Di Natale, Samir Handanovic and Alexis Sanchez. He’s an attacking midfielder who could carry the ball, orchestrate play, and also get on the end of crosses and make surging runs from deep.
In a struggling side, De Paul has been the one shining light, and by his third season he was beginning to come into his own. He scored nine goals and provided seven assists in 37 games in the league during 2018/19, despite Udinese finishing 12th. He finished the season as their top goal scorer.
| Rodrigo De Paul Udinese Serie A Stats 2020/21 | # |
|---|---|
| Games | 25 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 5 |
| Big Chances Created | 17 |
| Dribbles P90 | 3.2 |
Which clubs are interested in Rodrigo De Paul?
Inter have long held an interest in De Paul, with Antonio Conte a known admirer. There had been heavy speculation that the Italian giants wanted to sign De Paul last summer, but they were put off by the club’s €40 million asking price, and bought Arturo Vidal on a free instead.
With the Italian giants facing financial difficulties at present, it’s hard to imagine them making another attempt to sign the 26-year-old this summer.
Liverpool have been linked with a summer move for De Paul, as Jurgen Klopp needs to rejuvenate a burnt-out squad.
The Express, citing sources in Italy, state that Klopp is already planning ahead to next season, and has identified De Paul as one of his main targets.
Whether they want to match Udinese’s asking price for the Argentine remains to be seen, however.
When does Rodrigo De Paul’s contract expire?
De Paul’s contract expires in June 2024.
What is Rodrigo De Paul’s Instagram account?
Who is Rodrigo De Paul’s girlfriend?
De Paul’s girlfriend is Cami Homs
Read more about: Serie A, Premier League, Alexis Sanchez, Angel Di Maria, Artur, Arturo Vidal, Lionel Messi, Roberto Pereyra, Rodri, Rodrigo, Samir Handanovic
