Antonello Brambilla, former goalkeeper coach who worked with Devis Vasquez during his time at Sheffield Wednesday and Ascoli, made some statements to the microphones of 'Tuttomercatoweb.com' about the Colombian whose card is owned by Milan.
Here's what he said:
"When I went to Sheffield, with Xisco Munoz as the coach, we were looking for a goalkeeper. After seeing many, I personally chose Devis, and I had also consulted with a Milan trainer. He started playing until the coach was fired. After that, the previous season's goalkeeper, with whom they had won the championship, started playing again, as he was more liked by the locker room. Then, around December, I went to Ascoli. We needed someone to back up Viviano but who was ready in case of necessity. The director (Giannitti) asked me about Vasquez, knowing I had already coached him. We all discussed it and decided on him. I even talked about it with Emiliano (Viviano), with whom I have a great relationship: he told me that Vasquez was good and should be taken. I like Vasquez both as a person and as a goalkeeper."
How would you describe him?
"He has incredible hunger, a desire to succeed, and is a hard worker. He trains and takes care of himself well. He was lacking a bit of continuity, which he started to find at the end of last season at Ascoli. I can tell you that other Serie A teams had also called me about him—there were three besides Empoli."
Did Milan not believe in Vasquez enough?
"I don't know what their plans were, but I know he wanted to play, and I imagine he asked to be sent out to do so. At Milan, it's not easy, and even when they eventually sell Maignan, I imagine they will sign a big name."
Credit to Empoli, then?
"In recent years, they have always signed goalkeepers with potential. Look at Vicario... I talked about him with Giulini when I left Cagliari, he liked him a lot and then signed him. And then Caprile... Credit also goes to an excellent coach like Sicignano, who has done a great job."
Vasquez's technical pros and cons?
"In goal, he's reactive and explosive, very good with his feet: he's modern. The only thing I would point out is that, having a strong South American influence, he often uses the cross save (starfish save). It's not exactly a flaw, more of a characteristic. I'm not too strict about technique. He can become even better at decision-making with work."
