Now, I know he doesn't arrive for a while, but guess what, according to those EPL fucks, the Sky Sports website, they rate him very highly. In fact, the lad has appeared on their "Talent Scout" section i.e A place for thick, english supporting idiots to learn about players that don't play in the EPL and therefore are shit, but, should they move to the EPL they will be awesome.

Enough angst for now. 

Here's the link to the full thing, but I've also taken a few bits from it: http://www.skysports.com/football/transfers/scout/

"South America has long been recognised as a hot-bed of talent and Gonzalo Barreto could be the next superstar to emerge from that part of the world.

The Uruguayan teenager has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in recent times and is held in high regard in his homeland.

At just 17 years old he has already secured a move to one of Europe's biggest clubs, with Serie A giants Lazio prepared to take a gamble on his undoubted potential.

His vision, keen eye for goal, quick feet and lightning reactions should see him ideally suited to life in the Italian top flight and do not be surprised if he is thrown into action by Davide Ballardini sooner rather than later.

At just 5feet 8inches tall there is an air of the Lionel Messi about Barreto, although he does prefer to play in a much more central role to that often taken up by Barcelona's mercurial Argentine and is regarded more of a Michael Owen-esque frontman than a natural playmaker."

Very Interesting Info on that Scout Report, 10/10 on potential and 3M current value 20M Potential is a great risk reward investment.  Don't like hearing these references to Messi, it sometimes sets these players up to underachieve.  Great Prospect and looks like he has some talent already enough to break into  the current squad off the bench. A 6/10 in tackling is an interesting rating, having a forward that can help out would be beneficial in our current state.  

After all the hype i hope he gets the chance and trully prove his worth.
It looks to me like we have a coach that will give youngsters chance and confidence and transform or reengineer others.
I will be watching this chap firsthand when he comes to my country for the under-17 world cup.

Rocchi and cruz a bit too old/
I think in two years both should be done, especially cruz.
I agree man, this is a good investment, i hope they nurture him quick and get more guys to compliment.

i hear only good things about this guy. It never hurts to have nother great player even if just to valorize and sell or trade for another useful player.

Kozak was different. For one, Kozak didn't score many goals! 41 goals in 19 games in the Czech second division . Quite why we got him is beyond me, looks complete pap. But you are right, seeing is the only way to believe. We'll have to see whether he really can live up to the pressure put on him. The article I posted was complete rubbish, Sky really don't know much about world football aside from foreign Arsenal players - comparing Baretto to Messi and Michael Owen in the same sentence shows their inadequacies, just because he is small, that automatically makes him Messi, and just because he apparantly is a poacher, he is branded Michael Owen. Complete bullshit.

I agree with Rocchi, a team player if there ever was one. Training alongside Zarate will just turn Barretto into a greedy focker. Zarate isn't brilliant, he is just capable of brilliant things, there's a slight difference.

Okay Rocchi may have more than 2 years left, if he only stays healthy.  But i dont think its wrong to have both Rocchi and Barretto capable to play, as someone said, Barretto can learn much from Rocchi (and of course Zarate too)

BUT i'd like to see Baretto play and prove his worth before i say he's a great player.

I hope so mate.