Flying largely under the radar amongst the multitude of big-name players making a switch to Serie A this summer, Bologna’s newest signing Erick Pulgar is one of the most exciting youngsters to arrive in the Italian top flight.
What You Need to Know
Full name: Erick Pulgar
Date of Birth: January 15, 1994 (21 years old)
Position: Central midfielder/ central defender
Nationality: Chilean
Current club: Bologna
Height: 1.86 meters
International caps: Senior (2)
Who is Erick Pulgar?
A product of the Deportes Antofagasta youth system, Pulgar made his professional debut at just 16, lining up as a starter in the club’s 2-1 victory over CD Naval in Chile’s Primera B Apertura, the nation’s second division in November of 2011. Though he didn’t make another league appearance until 2013, his strength of character and resilience in a match against players twice his age caught the eye of the Antofagasta manager. During the club’s second top-flight campaign post-promotion, Pulgar began featuring more frequently, making five starts and scoring twice, a run during which the Chilean minnows won three out of a possible five matches. Establishing himself as a player the club simply couldn’t do without, he played 32 out of a possible 34 matches for Antofagasta during the club’s 2013/14 campaign as both he and his boyhood team built on their previous season, finishing a respectable 11th, with Pulgar himself a key factor in Antofagasta’s modest success. A sure starter and major part of the club, his versatility, mobility, and intellect heavily influenced the team’s defensive action, with Pulgar lining up as both a defensive midfielder and a center back throughout the campaign. His antics with Antofagasta eventually attracted the attention of Chilean giants Universidad Católica, who in the summer of 2014 bought then-20 year old Pulgar for a fee around €515,000. Playing 35 games in his debut season with Universidad, he instantly became a key player, much like he was for Antofagasta. Continuing to make huge strides his combative defensive role, Pulgar also greatly increase his goal count, going forward more than before and finding himself on the scoresheet no less than seven times throughout his maiden UC season. After completing the campaign as one of the club’s best players, the newly-christened Chilean international received an offer from Serie A side Bologna, and just over a year after making the jump to Universidad Católica, Pulgar flew to Italy to sign a deal with the newly-promoted side, costing the Rossoblu around €2.3 million.
On an international level, Pulgar did not take the traditional route in becoming a senior national team player. Not called up to any Chilean international youth setups, his inspired form during his time with UC led Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli to call the 21-year-old up for the nation’s friendly against the United States in January of this year. Making a start in his international debut, Pulgar put in a good performance in a spirited 3-2 win against the Yanks. He has played one further match for La Roja, a single half in a 2-0 defeat to Iran.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Highly versatile, Pulgar is an adept defender and midfielder, making him a valuable commodity for a Bologna predictably lacking an abundance of talent at either position. Quick on his feet and powerful on the ball, he manages to both command his chunk of the field and simultaneously influence the team around him. Fantastic in the air, Pulgar arrives to Northern Italy as valuable asset during both corners and through ball situations, and will be a major boost during Bologna’s set pieces. At 21, he already has made huge impacts on both of his previous clubs, a stellar track record that no doubt both he and his new employers will strive to continue. Combative by the nature of the positions he plays, he will also offer Bologna a certain grinta that the club simply cannot do without should they intend to avoid relegation this season.
Interestingly enough, Pulgar’s height has also found a way to be a detriment to his play, when combined with his weight, or rather lack of it. Not a particularly stocky player, his thinness earned him the nickname “Flaco” (skinny) during his time in Chile. Though his weight would not present itself as a problem had he been 10 centimeters shorted, at close to 1.9 meters it has made him more of a pushover than he would like to be. Particularly in a physical league like Serie A, he could find himself muscled off the ball much more than during his days playing football in South America. Additionally, while his combative nature is largely welcomed in defensive situations, Pulgar’s track record of 21 yellow cards in the past two years presents a worrisome situation. While there is the possibility that he will calm down with the switch of nations and footballing cultures, there remains the chance that he will keep the level of aggression the same, or even increase it due to the league’s increased physicality, making himself into a walking yellow card and therefore more trouble than he is worth for the Rossoblu.
2015/16 and Beyond
Young and full of promise, Pulgar shows all the signs of a successful future with his new club. Whether he will be able to keep his employers from sliding back down to Serie B remains a mystery, but it is a near certainty that he will have a hand in any success the club stumbles upon. While he won’t necessarily set the world alight with scintillating performances throughout the entire season, Pulgar will quietly act as a safeguard for Bologna as his new team tries with all its might to stay up in Italy’s harsh championship.
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