Name:
Hernan Jorge Crespo
Date of Birth:
July 5, 1975
Position:
Forward
Clubs:
River Plate (Argentina), Parma (Italy), Lazio (Italy)
AskMen's Rating of Player:
(skills, leadership, etc., out of 100)
85
Importance to Team:
7 out of 10
Why is he a key player?:
Hernan Crespo's motto seems to be "shoot." No matter from which angle, how far from the net, or how impossible, he loves getting the ball in the goalkeepers' faces. For the most part, he has been very successful. He has been able to average an incredible goal-per-game in the extremely defensive-minded Italian First Division, Serie A.
He is often in the shadow of Gabriel Batistuta, but with Batistuta being at less-than-optimal form, it is an opportunity for Crespo to solidify him a position on the Argentinean starting 11. He was involved in a high-profile trade from Parma to Lazio, and is likely to be coveted by all the major clubs, who see him as a natural goal scorer.
He is very athletic and has an excellent free kick. Inside the penalty area, he has one of the best head-games in the world. He is always running around, for 90 minutes, which puts a lot of pressure on opposing defenders who must sometimes double team him to prevent him from breaking alone to the net.
His weakness is his attitude. It has been prevalent at every pit stop in his career, especially Lazio. He can get frustrated quickly, and with the amount of talent and egos of the Argentinean squad, there is little room for the selfishness he sometimes displays. Teamed up with Claudio Lopez though, he can be a breakout player of the World Cup, or the leading scorer.
HERNAN CRESPO
