"It was an easy decision, coming back home," Lucas Cavallini said of his decision to sign with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. "You've seen what I'm capable of doing and [I'm] willing to take those abilities to transmit that to the Whitecaps."
So, the Whitecaps have themselves a new centre forward. Let's look into that. It's being reported that the 'Caps paid Mexican side Puebla FC 4.62 million euro (3.95 million pounds, 6.7 million Canadian, and 5.13 million US, if you prefer) for the services of Argentine-Canadian Cavallini.
So, the Whitecaps have themselves a new centre forward. Let's look at that. It's being reported that the 'Caps paid Mexican side Puebla FC 4.62 million euro (3.95 million pounds, 6.7 million Canadian, and 5.13 million US, if you prefer) for the services of Argentine-Canadian Lucas Cavallini.
Now, 4.62 million euro is nothing to sneeze at. But we have to remember that Puebla FC only paid 1.32 million euro for him back on 1 July 2018 (1.13 million pounds, 1.92 million Canadian, 1.47 million US, again for your convenience) from Uruguayan side C.A. Peñarol. What has he done in the past year and a half to justify a 250% increase in value?
Lucas Cavallini
This past season he scored four goals in 1,258 minutes, or a strike rate of one goal every 3.5 matches. It's always difficult to compare results in different leagues, but the year before, he scored 12 goals in 3,263 minutes, or a strike rate of one goal every 3 matches.
The year before that was another 12 goals, but this time in 2,170 minutes, or one ever 2 matches. And the year before that was 11 goals in 1,696 minutes, or a goal every 1.7 matches. This is not exactly an ideal trend for any player, but may stem from the fact that as he entered his prime, he was facing more scrutiny. Only time will tell.
At least Transfermarkt.com valued him at 3.42 million euro back on 8 February 2019, and 5.13 million on 13 August 2019, so that would suggest that the 'Caps didn't overpay. Now let's look at the club he's joining.
In 2019, the Vancouver Whitecaps managed both the fewest shots and fewest key passes per game (passes to a play who then takes a shot) in the league. If not for the recently promoted FC Cincinnati, they would have scored the fewest goals in the league as well. They also had the fifth worst defence in the league, but let's focus on the other side of the pitch for now, as they have just signed a centre forward.
"We are thrilled to welcome Lucas and his family to our club and our city," said Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster. "We've followed his career closely for a number of years. He has enjoyed a lot of success playing in two of the most difficult leagues in the Americas, is an important member of Canada's resurgence on the international scene, and now we are happy to welcome him to the Whitecaps."
"We've been looking for a forward with the characteristics of Lucas," added Whitecaps manager Marc Dos Santos. "Lucas is committed when the team doesn't have the ball, and at the same time he's very hungry to get in the box and make a difference in the attacking half. He has the right mentality and qualities on and off the pitch. Lucas will bring a lot to our team and are very happy to have him join our club."
So, while the 27-year old had something of an off season last year, he can put the ball into the back of the net, with a lifetime record of 72 goals in 15,646 minutes, or one goal every 2.4 matches.
But will he be able to do it in North America, and just as importantly, who will be providing the service needed for those goals?
With plenty of time before the season starts, here's hoping that the 'Caps can answer at least one of those questions.