The search for Cueva's successor: Who will lead the Peruvian midfield?

The Peruvian national football team is in search of a successor for Christian Cueva in the attacking midfield position, a key figure who pulls the strings of the game and brings creativity to the team. Following the 2024 Copa America, where Piero Quispe failed to meet expectations, the question arises of who could be Cueva's heir in the national team. Multiple opinions from football experts reflect concerns about the scarcity of players with the necessary characteristics to occupy this position in the Peruvian national team. Gianluca Flores, head of recruitment at the Alejita academy, emphasizes the importance of fostering inventiveness and creativity in footballers from a young age. He points out that this focus has been lost in Peruvian youth football, which affects the development of players capable of performing as attacking midfielders. The pressure to achieve short-term results and the lack of freedom to experiment on the field are factors that limit the development of creative talents. On the other hand, Brian Bertie, a youth scout at Sport Boys, highlights that while the number of quality players for the 'number 10' position is not abundant, there are talents with potential throughout the country. Bertie stresses the importance of identifying these promising young players from an early age, providing them with the necessary tools for their development and experience in the world of football. The work of scouts becomes crucial in the search for future talents capable of occupying the role of attacking midfielder in the Peruvian national team. Among the names standing out as possible heirs to Christian Cueva are Adriano Neciosup, loaned from Alianza Lima to Flamengo in Brazil in the U-20 category. Neciosup is described as a player with exceptional technical quality, capable of handling the ball masterfully and surprising opponents with his unpredictable game. Another candidate is Bassco Soyer from Alianza Lima, who stands out for his exquisite technique, dribbling ability, and capacity to create imbalances in the opposing defense. Internationally, figures like Felipe Chávez, a German-Peruvian midfielder playing in the youth divisions of Bayern Munich, also emerge as options to occupy the 'number 10' position in the Peruvian national team. Chávez stands out for his more European style, with great technique for striking the ball and a marked tactical sense, although he still needs to work on his creativity to become a complete attacking midfielder. In the 2024 Liga 1, the lack of U-20 players with the necessary characteristics to perform as attacking midfielders is evident. The biggest clubs in the country, such as Universitario, Sporting Cristal, and Alianza Lima, do not have young talents in this position in their main teams. Despite the presence of promising players in the youth divisions, their future in the professional league is uncertain, reflecting a structural issue in the formation of creative players in Peruvian football. In conclusion, the Peruvian national team faces the challenge of finding a new heir for Christian Cueva in the attacking midfield position. The scarcity of players with the necessary characteristics to occupy this role reflects the need to strengthen the development of creative talents in Peruvian youth football. The work of scouts and the early identification of future talents become essential to ensure generational succession in the national team and guarantee a promising future for Peruvian football.