Swansea City boss Francesco Guidolin has warned Jefferson Montero he needs to be a better defender if he is to get back in the team.
Winger Montero, 26, was one of the stand-out Premier League performers in the opening weeks of the season when his pace and trickery unsettled full-backs and won him rave reviews.
But his form slumped as the Swans went through the rough patch that cost Garry Monk his job and even though the team has shown resilience, the Ecuadorian has not.
Since Guidolin was appointed in January, Montero has not played a single minute of first-team football, with fellow wide man Modou Barrow now the man in favour.
The Italian head coach said: “I think Jeff is an important player, but he has to improve his play with other players, for example when we haven’t got the ball.
“He isn’t ready in my opinion — but his qualities are important. Week by week, I hope to have the possibility to see him.
“Modou (Barrow) is improving. I hope Jeff will do the same. As a manager I have seen some qualities and characteristics which are important, but he also has to improve.”
If Montero responds, then Guidolin insists there could yet be room for him in the starting line-up in the closing weeks of the season.
“I do not know Jeff very well — I haven’t had time to understand all the characteristics of my players yet — but he is a good player,” Guidolin said.
“He has quality — his most important quality (pace) is one that we want.”
Montero’s chances of a recall might also improve if Guidolin changes his tactical approach and ditches the diamond midfield formation.
“My opinion is that I had to make choices when I arrived, when the team were used to playing with a diamond in midfield,” he added.
“With the diamond, for Montero and Modou it’s difficult. They are two wingers.
“But now I can have another vision — another shape for example.
“It could be that there are more possibilities for Montero or for Modou. I think they are both important players.”
