There is exactly one month for the return of the qualifiers to the 2026 World Cup and there is a lot of work to do.
The Colombian National Team, which is sixth of the classification, needs to ensure at least one victory in its departures against Peru, on June 6, and Argentina, on the 10th.
And the bad news is that it has a remarkable absence for that first commitment, against Peruvians in Barranquilla: Luis Díaz.
Who can replace it?
The first thing to say is that the champion of the Premier League with Liverpool is irreplaceable. Colombia does not have a player with those characteristics or far. In fact, in the calls a man of that natural position is usually called because, with a lucho enabled, there is no option for anyone else.
Therefore, instead of thinking about someone who does what he does in the national team, it would be necessary to see what alternatives the coach Néstor Lorenzo can invent to occupy the position of the left side.
The main requirement is that he must be a player with a lot of physical deployment to permanently project and return to be necessary, in Barranquilla at 3:30 pm if he has a good medium distance, better yet. If it gives alternatives in the air game it would be the full combo. But, again, the only one who does all that is called Luis Díaz and will not be against Peru.
Who approaches? Lorenzo has had recurring names in his calls and you have to look for the options out there, because it is not to bring newbies or in cases of extreme urgency. A novelty is important: Johan Carbonero, one of the alternatives, is injured and will not be able to go to a possible call. For the rest, these are the options:
1. Jhon Arias
What if he played in Colombia as in Fluminense, where he is a glittering attacker? Now you can know. The left end is its natural position but in Colombia, precisely because this Diaz is sacrificed and goes to the midfield. But now he has a unique and happy occasion to play comfortably, knowing that he has that physical background, he is very acclimated in heat, dribbles, auction, pass and the middle distance. Everything is served.
Jhon Arias con Colombia VS Venezuela
Photo:
EFE
2. Jaminton Campaz
The Rosario Central player has been approached to the process precisely because former just left end and, with 24 years, would even give an important generational relief. It is spicy, has a devastating medium distance, perhaps its best virtue, and has already had minutes. The issue is that it has barely had minutes. It seems more revulsive than owner of the position.
3. Duvan Vergara
For many it sounds crazy to look at the local league in search of an end, but the reality is that there are few options, at least in a very closed list that Lorenzo has been using. It comes from a disease but it is already recovered, it is a tremendous formula for Juanfer Quintero, which looks a lot like James's game, and could give a hand.
4. An option to changed profile?
Many forgot, because of the tremendous talent of Díaz, who is a right profile attacker that centralizes and raises. What if the essay is repeated? There is a player who has been very close to the process but was not available and is Carlos Andrés Gómez, from Rennes de France. He has dribble, auction and medium distance and his 22 years is a future option.
And if that test is done, why not Marino Hnestroza, from Atlético Nacional, summoned in the last date of qualifiers and fast, resolutive, with great pass and desire not to pass blank as in that first time. He also knows well to play in Barranquilla.
Yes, it would be a great risk. But something must be invented APRA replacing the great figure, the best moment of the team with a lot of advantage. Eye Lorenzo has a month. Don't say we don't let him know …
