José Guillermo del Solar is focused on enhancing the youth divisions of the Peruvian national football team. Recently, he has been traveling across various regions of Peru in search of promising talents, but he has encountered some challenging circumstances.
In a recent interview, Del Solar shared insightful observations regarding the performance of young Peruvian footballers. He emphasized that his main goal as a coach is to work with players aged 12 to 14 years.
Del Solar has made it clear that he is committed to his role at the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF). With considerable dedication, he has visited numerous locations throughout the country to assess the skills and potential of young players, showcasing his genuine interest in strengthening the foundation of Peruvian football. Although he has faced difficulties in some regions, Del Solar remains hopeful about finding new talents.
This focus on youth divisions is a vital component of his strategic plans to foster the growth of Peruvian football. During his visits, he has highlighted the importance of solid and high-quality training from the beginning of a player’s career.
The experiences and insights Del Solar has gained during these travels aim to support a more robust youth development policy. With specific projects designed to identify and nurture talent from an early age, this strategy is considered essential for the future success of the senior national team.
Del Solar also noted that he doesn’t focus on players aged 16 and 17 because they often have various issues in their training, limiting their ability to compete effectively against teams from other countries. He explained, “To identify young players, I look at various factors. I focus on kids aged 12, 13, or 14 because I’ve found that players aged 16 or 17 often haven’t had the proper training over the past four years. If I put them up against teams from Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, or Paraguay, we won’t stand a chance.”
In discussing his vision for the project, Del Solar stated, “I need to work with younger players to develop their skills. This way, when they reach 16 or 17, they will be better prepared. That’s what I’m focusing on with my entire team at the Federation.”
He expressed enthusiasm about the future, asserting, “I’m very optimistic… I believe that over the years, we will see much more competitive youth selections. I feel the players are training and competing better than before.”
Additionally, Del Solar has expressed significant anticipation for the Peruvian U17 national team that will compete in the South American championship next year.
“The first generation coming from this project will compete as U17 next year. The initial group includes players born in 2008 who have been working with Pablo. I previously focused on players born in 2005, 2006, or 2007, but I haven’t scouted any of them in the regions, as I felt it would be a waste of time. Instead, I looked at 2008-2009 players last year, and this year I’m evaluating those born in 2010-2011. I’ll continue to do this annually, bringing them to Lima when ready,” he explained.
According to a statement from Conmebol, the next edition of the U17 South American championship will take place in Venezuela in 2025. It’s noteworthy that this tournament will offer four slots for the U17 World Cup, set to occur in Qatar. However, details about venues, dates, and groups have yet to be announced by the tournament organizers.
For more on football development initiatives, you might find resources from organizations like FIFA or local football academies helpful.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/peru/deportes/2024/07/22/chemo-del-solar-explico-por-que-no-se-fija-en-jugadores-mayores-de-15-anos-si-compiten-ante-argentinos-o-colombianos-no-tenemos-nada-que-hacer/
