Manuel Ugarte seduces his world. Recruited by Paris Saint-Germain this summer for the sum of 60 million euros from Sporting Portugal, the Uruguayan midfielder is already one of the strong men of the capital club at the start of the season. Number 4 continues to impress France with its high-flying performances.
Since the resumption of the championship, Manuel Ugarte has been intractable and has already established himself as an essential pawn in Luis Enrique’s squad. Positioned in front of the Paris defense, his presence on the ground reassures his partners. He ensures the defensive balance of the red and blue formation.
His physical impact, his multiple ball recoveries but also his technical quality make him one of the best players at the start of the season. Moreover, according to statistics from the Opta group, the Parisian number 4 is the player who has recovered the most balls in Ligue 1 this season, ie 41.
41 – Manuel Ugarte 🇺🇾 has 41 recovered balls in Ligue 1 this season, more than any other player. Since Opta analyzed the competition (2006/07), only Thiago Motta (47) has posted a better total in his first 4 matches played in the top flight. Sentinel. pic.twitter.com/tHQ4mYWv1I
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) September 4, 2023
Since the 2006-2007 financial year, only Thiago Motta has done better over the first 4 days of Ligue 1 by recovering 47 balls. Incredible figures for the third most expensive recruit of the Parisian summer.
The real successor to Thiago Motta?
And if Paris Saint-Germain had finally found the famous successor to Thiago Motta. Since the retirement of the Italian-Brazilian, the Ile-de-France management has been looking for the “new Thiago Motta” but in vain. No player has managed to impose himself in this role of sentinel in all this time. Manuel Ugarte ticks almost all the boxes to be this famous player.
This Sunday, against Olympique Lyonnais, he again showed his people that he had to be counted on. He is on 3 of the 4 Parisian goals against the Rhodaniens. An attitude and performance that must please the supporters but also his coach.
