Will Nacho Scocco be a hit at Sunderland? Read our assessment and offer your own verdict here.
Nacho Scocco
To:
SunderlandFrom:
InternacionalFee:
£3million
Age:
28Position:
ForwardNationality:
Argentine
Bio
Scocco began his career at Newell's Old Boys before embarking on a nomadic career that took him to Mexico, Greece and the United Arab Emirates before returning to old club in Argentina in 2012. It was here that he really impressed with his form earning him an international call-up against Brazil, in which he scored both goals in a 2-1 win. A subsequent switch to Brazilian club Internacional did not prove particularly fruitful and they have allowed him to join Sunderland in a two-and-a-half year deal.
He says
"A new challenge, new objectives... thanks to everyone for the support."
They say
"He is someone who can bring something special around the box that we are missing. He is comfortable in a front three but we will use him further up the pitch because he is not really a defensive player. We need to score goals and Scocco could provide us with that little bit extra both in scoring goals and creating them." - Gus Poyet, Sunderland manager.
Hit?
Sky Sports own Paulo Freitas recently told
Soccerly: "Scocco is a complete attacking player, with good technique, finishing and can also shoot from distance. He is also a versatile player that can also play as an attacking midfielder and as a winger. He's an accomplished free-kick taker and does a good job holding on to the ball, while also contributing to his team's defensive work." Excited?
Miss?
Scocco arrives at Sunderland on the back of a disappointing spell at Internacional that looks to have all but ended his hopes of making Argentina's World Cup squad in the summer. He will have to adapt rather better to the more dramatic move across continents to England's North East if he is to have anything like the impact of which he is capable.
Verdict
As Poyet says, Sunderland need goals and Scocco should provide a more subtle option than the battering ram approach of Jozy Altidore and the penalty-box play of Steven Fletcher. If Scocco can play with confidence and feels appreciated, there is the potential for fireworks.
