6 things you should know about Chelsea target Juan Cuadrado

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea look set to complete the signing of their first – and perhaps the only player– of this transfer window. Fiorentina’s Colombian trickster Juan Manuel Cuadrado looks set to be a Chelsea player before the window slams shut.The Colombian is a highly versatile, dynamic, quick, tricky, tenacious and entertaining football player. Above all, he is one classy player whose development in the last couple of seasons has been phenomenal. In that time, he has added the final product and clever decision-making to his freestyle game to become the player he is today.Although he gained worldwide prominence at the World Cup, we take a look at the 6 relatively unknown things about the Colombian one should know.

#1 He started out as a striker

Jose Mourinho is signing him for his world-class, game-changing abilities from the wing. Cuadrado, however, started his career as a striker. Having begun his club career for Atletico Uraba, he preferred playing at the center-forward position before being advised by club founder, Nelson Gallego, to shift to the wing. He did that eventually, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now, he is a player who can play in multiple positions, including both wing-back and wing positions, central midfield, and centre-forward (goes without saying). Chelsea are definitely signing a jack-of-all-trades.

#2 His father was gunned down when he was 5

Colombia are infamous for many things and street violence is one of them. During one of these violent incidents at Necocli, Antioquia, Guillermo Cuadrado, Juan’s father, a truck driver, was shot down. Juan was only five when the incident happened.

Growing up without a father is difficult as the father is the person children look up to, the first real hero for any kid. It must have been hard for him to lose a guardian at that young an age. But as the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going and this incident, according to his mother, Marcela Bello, “made him grow.”

One thing is definite: wherever Guillermo Cuadrado is now, he would surely be proud of his son.

#3 He had to be a perfect student to play football

Cuadrado wasn’t always the exciting footballer that he is now. During his childhood, he was told by his mother that he needed to be perfect at school in order to be allowed to play football.

Speaking at an interview back home in Colombia, his mother, Marcela Bella, stated that Cuadrado had to make her a promise before he was allowed to play football. What was it? Like all mothers, Marcela Cuadrado asked her son to promise her to be a “perfect student”. Being a mama’s boy, Juan obliged. And now he is the perfect role model for many aspiring footballers.

Moral of the story: Always listen to your mother.

#4 Cuadrado loves patacones

We all have a favourite dish of our own. And for most, it is best when mother makes it. In the same interview, Cuadrado’s mother also revealed that she is very close to her son and will always look after him, at least until he doesn’t have a family of his own.

And when it comes to food, Patacones are his favourite dish and his mother Marcela always cooks it for him. It would be safe to assume that even when Cuadrado does start a family of his own, he will still run to his mother for Patacones.

As is well known, there is nothing like food made by one’s mother.

#5 He loved balloons and football boots in his childhood

Every one of us loved something during our childhood. Some loved eating chocolates; others loved playing with dolls and while some others – like this writer – loved eating rocks.

Juan Cuadrado, like every other kid, had soft spots for certain things. Balloons and Football boots, to be precise. According to his mother, he loved balloons, a lot – probably explains his rapid flying movement on the football pitch – and for gifts, he asked for football boots.

It is a great ending to the story that he ended up becoming a footballer. Cuadrado’s love for boots from a very young age is another example of the fact that dreams do come true.

#6 His celebration is dedicated to his mother

If you have read this far, you must have guessed by now that Juan Cuadrado is a mama’s boy. His celebration after scoring a goal further reveals that.

Apart from bringing genuine playing quality on to the pitch, he also brings something that brings a huge smile on fans’ face: awesome celebrations after scoring. He does a reggaeton dance which is followed by a heart gesture – something he does to dedicate the goal to his mother.

Most players celebrate by dedicating their goals to their wives, girlfriends, children and so on. Very few do it for their mothers. Cuadrado is one of them. Here is hoping that this mother-and-son love always stays the same!