Few players in the current squad divide opinion as does Argentine striker Mauro Boselli, who returns for a fresh crack at the Premier League following a season and a half on loan in Italy and Argentina. A lot has changed since his troubled first half-season — particularly in the way the team attacks. While many have long written him off, there are plenty — Roberto Martinez and the writers of this blog included — that believe the best of Boselli is soon to come.
Signed for six million pounds from Estudiantes de la Plata of Argentina after top-scoring in South America’s equivalent of the Champions’ League — la Copa Libertadores — the Argentine struggled to make an impact in his half-season stint at Latics. Operating as the lone centre-forward between Hugo Rodallega and Charles N’Zogbia, he found chances to be at a minimum and pressure at a maximum.
With money comes expectation. The transfer fee heaped undue pressure on the striker, known for his clinical finishing but not necessarily pace or his ability to hold up play as a lone target. Unlike many Roberto Martinez signings, Mauro did not enjoy the luxury of an adaptation period, despite arriving in Lancashire after a career spent in Argentina.
All this said, Mauro’s first pre-season with the club was hugely promising, bagging several goals as he has two years later in the current version. In the league, he never looked far away from a goal but was largely starved of service. But for a narrow headed miss and a penalty miss against West Ham moments after being substituted on, which ultimately proved the last straw (more on that penalty in the interview below)… his first season may well have turned around.
But much has changed at Wigan Athletic since then, and Mauro is delighted to be back. He scored a well-taken header in Tuesday’s cup match against Nottingham Forest, and was unlucky not to have been awarded two penalties. He describes the squad as having a real sense of togetherness — one of fewer individuals and a real team ethic. What follows is his exclusive interview to the Three Amigos of Wigan — given before the beginning of the season. iMuchas gracias Mauro, y mucha suerte!
* note: this interview was translated from Spanish, by the author.
Q: How does it feel to be back in Wigan?
A: I feel more mature in this new chapter with Wigan, with a lot of experience that I didn’t have when I first arrived here. I’m back with motivation to succeed in English football.
Q: How is the club different from your first season, two years ago?
A: I found a very different group now to when I first arrived. The group is more together and the focus is on the team, rather than the individuals.
Q: What are your personal goals for the season?
A: My personal goal is to win my place in the starting lineup and regain the confidence the club put in me with goals and good performances.
Q: Have you tasted the famous Wigan pies? What is your favourite filling?
A: I’ve unfortunately not yet been able to taste the traditional food of Wigan, so I can’t comment on this one.
Q: Many of us think you were a bit unlucky in your first season at the club because the midfielders were not providing much service for you. How you do see that season?
A: Contrary to the first season I was at the club, there are many players that have the ability to assist me and give me the chance to take advantage of my strengths as a footballer. I am a centre-forward that needs my team to score goals.
Q: Why did you take that penalty against West Ham — you’d just come off the substitutes’ bench?
A: I’ve taken penalties all my life and will continue to do so. That day, I’d just come onto the pitch and couldn’t feel my feet it was so cold — and no one was stepping up to take the kick. If there is a penalty and I am on the pitch, I will take it because I am confident I’ll score it.
Q: Roberto’s new tactical system uses wingbacks such as Jean Beausejour, Ronnie Stam, and Emmerson Boyce, who love to get forward and put crosses in the box. Do you think this system suits you?
A: In my first season at Wigan I played with Rodallega and N’Zogbia on the wings. They are players who like to finish the attacking move themselves rather than assist. Now, there are players like Maloney, Crusat, Jean (Beausejour), Di Santo — players who could favour my game. This tactical system that encourages more crosses into the box is the one I like the most. I hope I am allowed opportunities and a run in the team to show what I can do.
Q: What can Latics supporters do to help you on the pitch?
A: The thing that would be most helpful is to always support the team. Personally, before every game in Argentina, people would sing my last name (Boselliiiiii, Boselliiiii) before the game which really motivated me a lot and I’d take to the pitch with absolutely everything I had.
Q: Which striker, current or former, do you idolize?
A: The forward I idolize is Ibrahimovich. He is, without doubt, the best centre-forward in the world.
Q: How was your time on loan in Italy?
A: When I was in Italy, I had some bad luck. Two days before I signed the loan deal, I suffered a muscle injury that left me sidelined for a month. Then I suffered a setback that put me back another 15 days. The club had to find another forward, and he did well when he arrived, so it was hard to get back in the team. All this said, I came back and scored the match-winning goal in the last minute of the derby against Sampdoria, and I am very proud that I became a part of the club’s history.
Q: And Argentina?
A: I had a good season in Argentina even though (Estudiantes) did not have a great one. I scored 11 goals and performed well.
Q: What do you miss most about your native Argentina?
A: There is only one thing that I miss: the affection I leave behind in Argentina which is the most important thing. Everything else can be managed, but not that.
Q: Your former club, Estudiantes has gone through some changes in the last few years, with a new stadium. Tell us about the club.
A: When Veron arrived at Estudiantes in 2006, the club grew and it is now considered one of the strongest teams in Argentina. Thanks to God that things have always gone very well for me there and I am proud to say I am part of the great history of Estudiantes. I hope to do the same at Wigan and will do everything I can to achieve it.
Saturday’s was a calm and measured performance in which, as time went on, the gulf in experience and class between the two sides appeared to widen.
Had Adam Lallana’s excellent long range strike not been expertly tipped onto the bar by Ali Al-Habsi in the first half, we might be telling a different story. As it was, Wigan limited Southampton to hopeful long range efforts or deep crosses in the first half, before pouncing early in the second and cruising from there on out.
Indeed there was a period of about 4-5 minutes in the second half as Latics pinged the ball around park when it was a like watching Spain — Southampton couldn’t get near them. Statistics will suggest Southampton had the better of the goal attempts, but each of Latics breakaways was incisive and dangerous, while the newly promoted side couldn’t find a way through. The first goal resulted from a cheeky Shaun Maloney flick, which Franco Di Santo raced onto and smashed into the roof of the net. The second was a little more controversial as new-boy Arouna Koné forcefully dispossessed a Southampton defender close to midfield before racing down the pitch to thump home.
The Good:
This performance — as did the final 80 minutes against Chelsea — mirrored the excellent form that kept us up last season. The passing, midfield pressing and levels of concentration were outstanding. The finishes from each striker were as emphatic as any in our Premier League days. New signings Koné and Ramis got another 90 minutes under their belts and performed well.
The Bad:
Not much, really. I felt Victor Moses was missed in the first half and would have been a useful outlet when the team was trying to weather the early storm. Some matches will require players with a bit of dribbling and pace, and the hope is that players like Albert Crusat, Ryo Miyaichi or Callum McManaman can fill that void. But overall we can safely say the squad is strong and full of options, and didn’t miss Vic in this particular fixture.
Player Ratings:
Ali Al-Habsi: 8 — Fantastic. Kept Wigan in it, and ahead, with some brilliant reflex saves. Wisely punched away long range efforts in rainy conditions.
Antolin Alcaraz: 7.5 — Very strong and assured performance from the Paraguayan. It was a pleasure to watch all three centre-backs stroking the ball around, their distribution was excellent.
Gary Caldwell: 7.5 — See Alcaraz.
Ivan Ramis: 7.5 — See Caldwell and Alcaraz. A much more assured showing after that difficult debut against Chelsea. Looked the part.
Maynor Figueroa: 7 — Didn’t get forward quite as much as we’d like, but didn’t let anyone down.
Emmerson Boyce: 7 — Typically solid, played a delicious chipped cross from a tight angle in the second half that the strikers weren’t ready for.
James McArthur: 7.5 — Made some fantastic tackles in the first half, and enjoyed possession in the second.
James McCarthy: 7.5 — See McArthur. Still hoping to see him appear in more advanced positions from time to time.
Shaun Maloney: 7.5 — Quiet in the first half when the team was on the back foot, but excellent in the second before being withdrawn. As usual, provided the creative spark that put us ahead.
Franco Di Santo: 7.5 — An odd and interesting day for the Argentine. Accustomed to leading the line as target man, he played a wider role for much of the match with Koné ahead. We saw a lot less of him holding the ball up, chasing down defenders, and instead saw him pop up out of nowhere to score a very well-taken goal.
Arouna Koné: 7 — Improved as the match went on. His first touch let him down a few times, but he combined very well with Jordi, before smashing home late in the game. A hugely promising signing.
Subs:
Jordi Gomez: 7.5 — Playing in-the-hole, he caused plenty of trouble in his half an hour on the pitch. A ferocious long range effort and fantastic through ball to Koné stand out.
Jean Beausejour: 7 — Nothing flash, but came on as a left winger and was neat in his play. Will be hoping to push his way back into the lineup, having proved his fitness.
Mauro Boselli: N/A — Only on the pitch for a couple minutes, but it was good to see him back. No doubt he will get a chance to shine against Forest on Tuesday.
LOS THREE AMIGOS 