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LA Galaxy: Guillermo Barros Schelotto key to Cristian Pavon move

ByChuck Wharton|
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors celebrates with teammate Cristian Pavon after scoring his team's first goal during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 09: Dario Benedetto of Boca Juniors celebrates with teammate Cristian Pavon after scoring his team's first goal during the second leg of the final match of Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2018 between Boca Juniors and River Plate at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 9, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Due to the violent episodes of November 24th at River Plate stadium, CONMEBOL rescheduled the game and moved it out of Americas for the first time in history. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

The LA Galaxy are pursuing Boca Juniors right winger Cristian Pavon. In their attempts to sign him, head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto will be key.

Argentinian club Boca Juniors values their star attraction Cristian Pavon, age 23, at $50 million. Various European clubs have inquired about Pavon but seem unwilling to match such a hefty price for an unproven commodity.

And so, the Los Angeles Galaxy maintain an edge, with speculation of an offer for 70% of his rights at $12 million in the works.

What the Galaxy have that other clubs don’t is head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto. He is the wizard who has conjured the most skill out of Pavon yet and would love to work with the attacker once more.

In the 2016-17 season for Boca Juniors, Pavon tallied seven goals and 20 assists in 36 games. The team won their second consecutive league title and Pavon was named to Argentina’s World Cup team. That was all under the guidance of Barros Schelotto. He guided Pavon to his best form and greatest achievements ever, and now he wants to reunite.

His performance has dipped since then. Some observers questioned whether that was the peak of Pavon’s career. The LA Galaxy manager said the observation that he had already peaked couldn’t be further from the truth. During Galaxy training, Schelotto told reporters that Pavon remains capable of top performance at his positions and could have a great future with his team.

Schelotto couldn’t have made his interest in signing Pavon clearer. Although he hasn’t confirmed any formal moves, he was adamant that the Galaxy would have to get some transfers to stay competitive in MLS, and Pavon sits atop the list.

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Pavon’s experience with Schelotto makes him a perfect fit in the LA Galaxy system used this season. At Boca Juniors Schelotto successfully used Pavon in his multiple positions in formations, primarily 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-1-2 shapes.

Through early June with LA Galaxy, Schelotto has used the 4-3-3 nine times. That’s been his go-to formation while managing teams. He has used the other formations sparingly and with little success. With a player like Pavon in the squad, it could open up the head coach’s options while keeping opponents on their toes. Or better yet, keep the opposition more frequently flat-footed. Pavon knows what Schelotto wants from him in any of those formations and how to reach his personal best once the coach has called him to take those spots.

Without acknowledging any formal offer or consideration of an offer, signing Pavon is on Schelotto’s mind as a way to move LA Galaxy to the next dimension of MLS competition. Expect the signing any time now.

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