Player Watch: Franco Di Santo

Imagine Lionel Messi's reaction when Franco Di Santo was called up into the Argentina squad recently.

Di Santo is known for his shocking goal-tally, his embarrassingly slow speed and his... Well his inability to hit the back of the net. However, after keeping a close eye on the 23-year-old this season I can confirm that there is much more to his game than his frigidness in front of goal.

For a start, his movement is absorbing to watch. The way he can disguise his 6ft4 frame to make himself room-to-manoeuvre is something that not many could achieve, and although you may think his height is more of a hindrance when you are trying to play a sexy passing philosophy, he uses it to his advantage.

Yes he can pass a ball and invite others into play, but he is more than happy to battle with the opposition both aerially and on the floor, successfully wining 55% of all duels attempting this campaign. His style of play has also created 15 key opportunities for his teammates to try and capitalise on, as well as hitting 3 goals himself in the 20 games he has played this season.

It may have been a surprise to some when Brendan Rodgers was supposedly interested to smuggle him into the Liverpool team because of his 12 goals in 113 in England, but for me his all round play is something that every team needs.

Whether it will be enough to help Wigan avoid the drop is unknown, but he will certainly have a good go.

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