Earlier this week, we covered claims from the Catalan press that Watford’s Yaser Asprilla has ended up on Barcelona’s radar.
The winger has enjoyed a good spell at Watford this season, managing six goals and four assists from 31 league games.
Friday’s edition of Sport has published an interview with the 20-year-old’s former coach, Andrés Orozco.
The Colombia international is a product of Envigado FC and made his first team debut for them in 2020. He spent two years there and his performances convinced the Hornets to pay €3m for him.
Orozco knows the Watford player from their time at the Colombian club. On Asprilla’s time with the youth team, he said: “What I remember most is that Yaser lived in a club home. He enjoyed football a lot, he lived day and night next to a ball.
“When I retired as a professional player and moved on to coaching, I followed Yaser in the U14s and U15s and then I was lucky enough to be a technical assistant when he debuted.”
The South American has made 73 appearances for the Championship side so far and his former coach explains how Watford have aided his development.
“They have been strengthening Yaser a lot. He always had innate talent as a midfielder and scoring midfielder. The dynamic he has acquired in England has been spectacular. He’s also a great final passer with incredible punch. He has improved a lot, even at his young age. And he still has a lot of growing to do,” Orozco explained.
Naturally, Sport asked Orozco about Barcelona’s interest in Asprilla.
When responding to that, Orozco revealed he’s not surprised and even indicated that several other clubs could have the Watford player on their agenda.
“Barca will always look for young talents, intelligent footballers. Yaser will surely have many eyes on him because of what he is doing at Watford,” he added.
“It’s not easy to be a starter and participate in so many games in English football. He can be calmly adapted to the DNA of teams playing with possession. Yaser likes to play. I’m proud because he’s a quality player.”
