Diego Campillo – Chivas' defensive prodigy

Diego Campillo Del Campo hails from Durango in Mexico as he began his footballing career with the local Chivas Soccer School at age 6 as a goalscoring striker. His trail of goals would lead to him deciding to leave home at the age of 14 to join Chivas Guadalajara’s main academy as a youth coach would remark at how he was growing faster than the teammates in his age-group and decided to shift him to centre-back where he became one of the standout players in Mexican youth football. Chivas’ academy gave him the exposure to tournaments in Czech Republic, Denmark and Chile as he has won the Mexican U20 tournament with Chivas, playing in the Liga de Expansion MX tournament with CD Tapatio as he has grown tactically at Mineros de Zacatecas in the last season.

In his youth career, Campillo has played as an attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder, striker and centre-back while he recently obtained a phenomenal education in football within the last year, being deployed as right wing-back, right sided centre-back in a back-three as well as making regular excursions into midfield during games. 32-year-old, Omar Alexis Moreno is the youngest coach in Mexican professional football as his Mineros team stands out for its progressive playing style and developing of young loan players. Campillo accrued regular game-time and a first-class education as a footballer as his movement into a variety of positions have made him able to receive possession with both feet from a wide variety of angles and body shapes, he has grown as a one-touch passer while his progressive ball-carrying and passing in the opposition half are key to his overall development as one of Mexico’s finest young high-line centre-backs.

Campillo has always possessed great size, anticipation and command as a centre-back as at U20 level, he was unafraid to play deep line-breaking passes from inside his own box as professional football has also seen him unleash moments of heroic defensive interventions. At home to Tlaxacala with Tapatio last season, he received possession from his goalkeeper to hold the ball, adjust his body to play the ball to the six-space before prodding the ball forward with the outside of his right boot to stride forward to attract pressure and thread a pass through the lines. He then exuded an ability to pass with both feet under pressure in a matter of moments, receiving a back-pass as an attacker was pushing up to press him from the right side, taking a good first touch to play the ball into the next line with his second touch before he received possession once more, controlling the ball with his right foot before threading a pass in between the lines with his left.

As a young centre-back, Campillo has tremendous size which is meshed with quickness over tight spaces and an anticipation for danger which is impressive for a defender his age. Tapatio would lose possession in the attacking phase and attempt a line-breaking pass to the attacker the 20-year-old was marking for Campillo to push up, use his body to nudge in front of the attacker and make a clean interception before shielding possession and playing a back-pass. The Mexican centre-back would receive possession to take a touch before playing an impeccable switch ball to the left flank as he would receive possession once more to take a touch and play a line-breaking pass in between the lines to instigate an attacking move. Campillo has the uncanny ability to work two touch passing moves as this integral in him being a press resistant force at centre-back as in a build-up sequence, he would drop into the six-yard area to take a goal-kick by playing the ball to the goalkeeper before pushing up into a centre-back role as a pass was made to the deepest-lying midfielder who laid off to Campillo to prod the ball past an attacker with his right foot before playing a pass into the next line with his left.

In a home match against his future team in Mineros, Campillo would receive possession to take a touch before playing a sideways pass to his centre-back partner as the 20-year-old received possession again to take a touch and play the ball into the next line as the ball was laid off to him to take a touch and lob a deep pass onto the chest of the striker to evade the opposition press. The Chivas youth product then won an aerial duel from an opposition long throw to clear the delivery as he then exhibited his phenomenal reading of defensive situations to slide across to intercept a long ball from the goalkeeper before receiving possession close to the right touchline to gently roll a pass to a teammate in between the lines to instigate an attacking move. Campillo was showing his tactical intelligence in playing a hybrid role as a right-sided centre-back in a back-three as well as slotting into midfield in certain situations as he would move into the six-space to intercept another deep pass.

In possession, he would drop into a centre-back role where he received possession and had no direct passing options before eventually deciding to play a deep line-breaking pass to a teammate in the six-space. The 20-year-old showcased his distribution once more when he received possession from the goalkeeper to thread a pass into the 6 space behind the first line of pressure before receiving possession once more to switch the ball to the opposite centre-back who played a pass in between the lines. For Mineros, he was utilized in a variety of positions and specific tactical roles but a lot of the basic facets of his game facilitated his transition in between these roles. Away to Sinaloa, he was deployed as a right wing-back as the 20-year-old would tuck inside to track a marker as once the ball was played into that area, he showed great anticipation to push up to mark his man to force a turnover.

Campillo then moved to the right flank to receive possession and thread a pass to the six-space as wing-backs in Moreno’s system are utilized in a deeper role where they regularly receive possession and facilitate transition from the deeper areas. Campillo would also move into a central midfield role at times as he received possession in the eight space, working a one-two with the deepest-lying midfielder before skipping past an opposition midfielder to hold possession before playing the ball back to the six-space to facilitate a switch ball. His ability to receive possession and distribute possession from a wide variety of angles and body shapes would come to the fore when he received possession near the right touchline on the half-turn to loft a one-touch line-breaking pass with his weaker left foot. Campillo is undeterred by pressure as he always maintains an impeccable sense of calm when he receives possession with an opposition attacker in his face as his ability to pass with his first or second touch makes him instrumental at evading pressure for his team.

He received possession under pressure with an attacker applying pressure from his left to swivel his hips and work a pass to the six-space. One aspect of Campillo playing a variety of roles for Mineros is that he was tasked with taking a more active role in the attacking phase as there was a sequence where Mineros lost possession in the opposition half, his team were looking to regain possession in the counter-press as Campillo made a run to mark an attacker behind the defensive line as he would be able to provide cover if the opposition played a through ball on a counter-attack. Campillo has such immense potential as a high-line centre-back because he has the anticipation to push up and make interceptions as well as being able to read the game and look to provide cover to quell counter-attacking situations. Mineros would regain possession of the ball for the 20-year-old to push up as a midfielder to receive possession, skip past a marker and play a raking line-breaking pass to the nine-space.

Campillo received possession in his right wing-back as he scanned before he received possession to take a touch before lofting a pass through pressure for a teammate in the channels. He participated in the attacking phase as a midfielder once more, receiving possession to work a pass for a teammate in the half-space as he received possession once more to drive the ball forward and angle a through ball into the box for a teammate to have a high-quality cut-back opportunity. Involving Campillo in attacking situations places an increase demand on his penetrative distribution and ball-carrying in the attacking third as this will help him develop as a centre-back in showing poise to help his team unlock deep blocks.

His defensive anticipation also allows him to achieve feats of heroic defensive actions as despite being positioned a wing-back, he would notice that the opposition would have a striker unmarked for Campillo to scan as he shifted across to mark and track the striker’s run into the box, intercepting a cross to him before the attacker would have another opportunity on goal for the Mexican centre-back to react quickly and slide to block his shot on goal before the opposition sent a shot over the bar. In the attacking phase, he would move into midfield receiving possession in the right eight space, to work a one-two with the winger in the wide area before skipping past a sliding tackle, shielding the ball from another marker to surge into the opposition box where he would go to ground and lose possession. Campillo shifted back into the wing-back position to receive possession and lob a pass in behind the defensive line for a teammate to have a shot on goal.

Campillo received possession in a midfield role once more, holding possession before playing a pass to the flank for his winger to stride forward and have a crossing opportunity. He moved to his wing-back role to regain possession with a tackle to instigate a switch counter-attacking opportunity as he slid across his defensive line at the perfect moment to make another interception as he received possession and lofted another accurate pass over pressure with his weaker left foot. As a wing-back, he played a line-breaking pass to the striker who dropped deep to receive possession before showing brilliant defensive anticipation from a crossing situation as he was marking an opposition attacker at the back-post as his centre-back was drawn closer to the near post, leaving a massive amount of space in between the two defenders. The opposition would have a deep runner making a movement into the space as Campillo remained cognizant of this, shifting across to make a timely interception and cross into the area.

At home to Venados, Campillo would complete another feat of heroic defending as he was positioned in the opposition box for a corner as the opposition would regain possession and launch an immediate counter-attack as the 20-year-old defender would race back as once an opposition received possession in the box, Campillo would poke the ball out of his stride and into the arms of the goalkeeper. Campillo tucked into a central midfield role to receive possession and poke a pass to a teammate in between the lines to stride forward as after his team lost possession in the opposition box, he regained possession in the counter-press before switching possession to the weak side for a sequence that led to a high-quality opportunity. He would tuck in to receive possession once more as an opposition attacker applied pressure on him from the flank as his drove the ball inside with his directional first touch to stride into the opposition half before he went to ground. Campillo is a very good ball-carrier but to be a more effective ball-carrier, he will need to learn to release the ball as he tends to hold possession for too long when driving the ball forward.

Campillo made a movement from his wing-back position to the eight space in between the lines to receive possession and lay-off for an attacking interchange before he moved to the wide zone to receive possession and play a one-touch pass to facilitate transition for the creation of another opportunity. As a defender, Campillo is a magnificent counter-presser as his reading of the game, mobility to slide across into space and anticipation make him phenomenal at closing down counter-attacks, isolating attackers and making clean challenges. His side would lose possession as Campillo would slide across to close down an attacker who laid off possession before taking up a deeper position where he was perfectly positioned to close down a pass to a wide player in the channels with an impeccably timed sliding challenge. He would regain possession again, this time taking up a great body position to stretch his legs and make a clean tackle denying an attacker the opportunity to dribble past him.

After Mineros lost possession from a cross with Campillo positioned near the box, he would show his brilliant recovery speed once more rushing back to be in the perfect position to intercept a switch ball and deny the opposition another opportunity on the break. The 20-year-old is not only comfortable in anticipating what is in front of him but also in chasing back while facing his own goal. After regaining possession, he then played a sublime one-touch pass into the channels for his team to instigate another attacking move. He had another brilliant counter-pressing situation when his team lost possession in the opposition box as an opposition player would push forward with the ball as Campillo scanned to see what was behind him as he adjusted his body shape to face the flank where the opposition had possession before pushing forward to make a tackle by the touchline.

At home to Tlaxacala, he tucked into a central midfield role to receive possession, skipping past a defender to play the ball to the right flank with his left foot for his winger to have a 1v1 opportunity to beat his man and play a cross into the box. He then won an aerial duel from an opposition corner in a congested box. However, Campillo showed his youth when he would make a mistake to concede a goal as his team would lose possession in the opposition half, Campillo would react intelligently, dropping into the defensive block and scanning to identify an attacker making a run behind as he would track the attacker’s run, constantly scanning to check the position of the attacker and goalkeeper as Campillo was perfectly positioned on the delivery side of the attacker to make the block. As the delivery was played in, he scanned to check his attacker’s position one last time as he would focus on shoving his attacker out of position rather than defending the delivery and making a movement towards the ball as the attacker would apply the finish with his first touch in a situation where he was positioned perfectly to defend the situation. He focused on the man when he should have focused on the ball and the delivery in sliding to make a block as this issue can be coached out of his game. After Mineros would lose possession in the opposition box once more, Campillo would use his body to block an attacker and regain possession in the counter-press.

At home to Cimarrones de Sonora, he was deployed as a more conventional centre-back in a back-four. He received possession by the touchline to stride forward, pick his head up to assess passing options and thread a deep vertical pass into the attacking line to instigate an attacking move. He tucked inside to receive possession after a teammate won an aerial duel to play a one-touch pass to a teammate on the flank as he would have another one-touch pass when he received possession from the goalkeeper in the box with an opposition player pushing up to press him, allowing the ball to roll across his body to play a one-touch pass to the flank. He then worked a one-two with the goalkeeper, allowing the ball to roll across his body while he was under pressure, faking a pass into the centre before pushing the ball forward with the outside of his boot to evade his first marker to play a sumptuous switch ball to the opposite flank.

He received possession in the build-up phase once more to push up with possession and caress a pass to a teammate in between the lines before regaining possession as he was perfectly positioned to make an interception before playing a pass in between the lines. He received possession in the opposition half to turn towards his centre-back partner before swivelling to play a penetrative pass in between the lines as this is an example of how playing in a variety of positions and being more involved in attacking play has given him a better understanding of being penetrative with his distribution in the opposition half. He would also have a 1v1 situation in the wide areas where he overcommitted to the challenge to allow his marker to nudge past him as he never gave up and made a lunge to cleanly win possession. He regained possession by pushing up to win an aerial duel from an opposition goal-kick as his team would lose possession in the opposition box with Campillo marking the opposition attacker in the counter-press to force a mistake and regain possession from his side. He won another aerial duel from an opposition goal-kick as his 1v1 marking is sensational.

Away to Atlante, he would be deployed as a left-sided centre-back, receiving possession to play a pass forward with his stronger right foot as he scanned to see two markers closing him down before he received possession once more to shift the ball away from a marker with his right boot before playing a line-breaking pass with his left. He then received possession on the left flank to drive the ball forward and cut inside to attempt a through ball past three opposition defenders which the striker was unable to get on the end of. In a defensive situation, he was positioned on the left weak side with an attacker outside of him, scanning to track the movements of his attacker before shifting closer to him as his attacker made a run inside him when a cross was played him as Campillo used his body to regain the proper position and body leverage to head away the delivery as his headed the ball into the path of an attacker who smashed the ball home to open the scoring. This was an improvement on the Tlaxacala situation where he conceded the goal as the clearance was an unlucky circumstance for the youngster.

He then won an aerial duel to regain possession for his side as his team would lose possession a few seconds later to work a pass to the attacker he was marking for Campillo to show phenomenal anticipation to push forward and make a clean interception to regain possession. After he was involved in his team conceding the goal, he was soon involved in Mineros scoring the equalizer as after a deflected corner, he moved out of the box to work a one-two with a teammate who crossed for an attacker to head in the equalizer at the back-post. The 20-year-old moved into the midfield line to receive possession, skipping past an opposition attacker to drive the ball forward and thread a pass to the ten space. After a turnover, he controlled a high ball with his right to spin away from a marker and thread a pass to the ten space with the outside of his right boot. Campillo had another moment of heroic defending as his team lost possession and his defence was disoriented for the 20-year-old to track back to get goal-side of an attacker to make a sliding block on his shot before his team scored the rebound. It was bad luck for Campillo that two pieces of heroic defending led to opposition goals as his goalkeeper could have got a stronger hand to the save as in two situations, he was positioned perfectly to deny the opposition goalscoring opportunities.

In ball-progression by runs, Diego Campillo is in the top 10 of all players in the Liga de Expansion MX as he is first in all under 23 players as this has been due to the increased focus on ball-carrying in his positions. In ball-progression by passes, he finished in the top 30 as he is also in the top 30 in long passes, top 25 in passes to the final third for U23 players in the league. The 20-year-old also ranks in the top 20 in progressive runs for U23 players as the third highest ranking centre-back while defensively, he ranks really high in interceptions in the opposition final third which is testament to his ability as a counter-presser. In general interceptions, he ranks in the top 11 for U23s as this is how he primarily wins possession with his phenomenal anticipation as for aerial duels, he is in the top 10 for aerial duels in his own penalty area while he is in the top 20 for total aerial duels for U23s according to the WyScout ranking service.

Campillo’s motoring skills are highly impressive for a young centre-back as he is capable of passing on his first or second touch which allows him to recycle possession at a quick tempo in the opposition half while evading pressure at a rapid pace. He can skip past opposition pressure by driving past an opposition attacker with the inside of his boot as well as with the outside of his boot to evade his first marker before using his body to shield the ball and drive the ball over long stretches of space as he can improve his ability to release possession once he drives forward with possession. His ability to receive possession from a variety of angles and body shapes is another facet of his game that is very interesting as is his ability to pass accurately with his weaker left foot. His passing with his left foot is not strong enough for him to consistently play as a left-sided centre-back for a longer period of time as he usually uses his left foot to evade pressure with one-touch passing on the half-turn and rolling the ball to his left foot under pressure to beat a marker with a pass from his weaker foot.

Defensively, the 20-year-old astute reading of the game allows him to push forward with perfect timing to intercept passes and regain possession cleanly. His constant preparation and reactions for when his team loses possession are exceptional, as he will make a movement to cover a marker or close down a space as he can both push forward to intercept passes and regain possession or sit back and provide cover for a higher line. At such an early age, Campillo has a mastery of the fundamentals of defending in a high defensive line as his 1v1 defending is better than most defenders his age, especially when closing down defenders on the counter to hem the into tight spaces to give teammates time to get into position while also allowing him to make clean tackles. When chasing back to his own goal, he is unrelenting as despite not being the quickest, he can be coached into matching attackers’ stride for stride in the wide areas to make tackles. His defensive scanning, perception of positioning and body leverage is phenomenal as well as he can move into space to close down crosses, man-mark opposition attackers while he has the instincts, focus and reactions to make critical goal-saving blocks in his own box.

Campillo has the tools to be a high-level centre-back who can command a high defensive line in the future as he is capable of playing for the Mexican National Team within the next three years. The 20-year-old has always wanted to play for Chivas and be successful with the first team but with Luis Olivas who is only a year older than him, ahead of him in the current pecking order, he may need to look for opportunities elsewhere. A move to Ajax where he could develop into a defensive stalwart with John Heitinga’s Jong Ajax team could be a good move as would a move to Arne Slot’s Feyenoord side or Vitesse Arnhem. Ligue 1 clubs like Jorge Sampaol’s Marseille, RC Lens, Reims and Toulouse would also be viable stepping stones. However, it would be intriguing to see Campillo with Stuttgart if they sell Konstantinos Mavropanos or with Tim Walter’s Hamburg as his playing style certainly suits the Bundesliga. His style would also suit the Serie A as teams like Bologna, Sassuolo, Torino, Verona, Atalanta and Fiorentina would also suit his playing style. Campillo could be one of the more undervalued talents in Mexican football at a time where Mexican footballers are considered overpriced.