Having just conceded 29 goals from 29 Bundesliga games, VFL Wolfsburg possess the second best defensive record in the league at the time of writing, level with RB Leipzig (23) and have conceded 9 less than giants Bayern Munich.

Oliver Glasner’s men have been incredibly solid if not spectacular in their defending this season and coupled with such a reliable defence, they are also getting the impressive results. dragging themselves back amongst the Bundesliga’s elite side after a number of years in the wilderness.

They currently sit third in the league and may be far off a title tilt, 14 points off Bayern Munich but they are well on course to finish in the Champions League places, appearing in Europe’s flagship competition for the first time since 2015 where they knocked out a Manchester United side managed by Louis Van Gaal in the group stages.

They are eight points ahead of Dortmund in 5th. At this stage last year, Wolfsburg conceded 30 goals. So what has changed in Glasner’s team? Why have they suddenly established themselves as one of the best defensive outfits in the division?

Well, its very hard to look past the the rock and heartbeat of Wolfsburg’s tremendously built back-line, French youngster Maxence Lacroix.

The 20-year-old has formed into the bedrock of Wolfsburg’s defence, becoming not just a huge defensive presence but a steady and assured leader at such a tender age. He only moved to The Volkswagen Arena last summer in a €5 million deal. Paying such a fee for a player with just one campaign of Ligue 2 football to his name will of course raise a few eyebrows, even for financially stable clubs like Wolfsburg.

However, Sochaux did concede only 22 goals in 19 games with Lacroix in the starting line-up – not bad for a team that finished in 14th place last term as the division was brought to a premature end due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A little over a year on, Lacroix has propelled himself to become one of Europe’s most sought-after young defenders with a whole host of top European clubs reportedly preparing to secure his signature this summer.

So how has Maxence Lacroix built himself to this position? How has he developed so much in the German Bundesliga and what does the future hold for a player reportedly already ready to take on much bigger challenges?

Who is Maxence Lacroix?

Having left home at the age of 13 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer, it is perhaps no surprise that Maxence Lacroix is already showing a maturity beyond his 20 years at the heart of a sturdy Wolfsburg defence.

Standing at a towering 6’3” (190cm) and weighing 88kg (194 pounds), Lacroix certainly has the physique to handle the toughest of challenges football can throw at him, but his path to the top has been by no means a straightforward one.

Born in Villeneuve-Saint-Georges on the outskirts of Paris, he began playing at the age of four, and by the time he was 13 he was deemed good enough to join the youth academy at Trellisac, over 300 miles away to the south-west.

Two years later, Lacroix was on the move once again, this time over 400 miles to the east to the youth set-up at French second-tier side Sochaux. There, “it all went very quickly,” as the centre-back recalled, and he signed professional terms at the age of 17, making his first-team debut for the club at the age of 18 in the Coupe de France at the end of 2018.

A further 27 appearances for the side followed over the next season and a half as he established himself as a regular in the team, before Wolfsburg came calling in summer 2020.

The right-footer has continued to progress rapidly in the Bundesliga. He wasted little time in establishing himself as first-choice partner to John Brooks in the heart of the Wolves’ defence, starting 22 of the team’s first 24 league outings.

Lacroix has impressed at so many extraordinary levels. he has already clocked the 17th-fastest speed of any player in Germany in 2020/21 at 21.70 mph (34.93 km/h), with RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano the only centre-back quicker on his feet, while as of Matchday 21 he is 11th in the overall tackle-winning stakes with 226, and 15th in aerial duels (62).

No wonder Wolfsburg have one of the most solid and well-organised defences in the Bundesliga this term, and that’s predominantly down to his superb defensive partnership with American international John Brooks.

What is Lacroix’s style of play?

Maxence Lacroix has already drawn many comparisons to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand simply because of his build, power, composure and abilities on the ball, and if you analyse his game in detail, you’d be amazed at how similar he is to one of the greatest defenders ever to grace the game.

The 20-year-old possess several strong and unique attributes, including his intelligence of knowing when to step out of the defensive line or not, putting pressure onto attackers and forcing them to face away from goal, and his calmness in possession. Standing at a well built 6’3”, Lacroix possesses a good leap which is supplemented by his strong positioning.

Still only 20 years old, in this stage of his career, it is so vital in pointing out which features of his game are strong, and which of the areas he needs to work on in order to discover how he will aid his side in winning matches and what sort of player he’ll mature into in the future.

So, what is Lacroix’s strengths and what is indeed, his playing style? He is an incredibly strong player, owing to his incredibly athletic and imposing build and its why he’s so good at ushering forwards away from dangerous areas in order to hurt his team.

Once he steps out of his back-line to halt onrushing attackers, they are immediately alerted to his imposing presence which of course causes hesitation in the opposition and swiftly the attack loses its sting. While this element has become one of the hallmark of Lacroix’s game, its his passing and build up play that deserves the praise first and foremost.

The French under-20 star possesses such unique technique and acumen when he’s on the ball. His first touch is pleasing and prefers to mainly pass with his strong right foot, from which he displays a great range of passing, though his decision making in this regard has room to improve. However, his passing stats this season reflect their importance to Wolfsburg’s build-up play.

Like Ferdinand, Lacroix displays great understanding in the kind of passing he needs to make and how to execute to his more forward teammate’s liking, whether in to space or to their feet.

He averages over 60 passes per game with a success rate of 82.9%. Certainly, this figure may not seem high considering the amount of short passes Lacroix is tasked in performing but he isn’t a centre-back who passes to his fellow centre-back or defenders like most do, he always looks for the forward pass which is further highlighted in his 3.70 progressive passes per90, and 2.94 final third passes.

Lacroix is so well versed in the art of forming goal-scoring opportunities from defence just like Rio Ferdinand so often did for Manchester United. He also attempts a high volume of long passes in order to bypass the oppositions press or to catch opposing defenders off guard. The 20-year-old averages 4.5 long balls per game with a success rate of 70% which is decent considering where he is in his development, yet still there is much for the defender to pick up and learn for the future.

Lacroix is a right-footed centre-back who played as part of a four-at-the-back system at Wolfsburg, capable of playing in a deep defensive block and a high line. His speed, athleticism and quickness on the ground owes Wolfsburg the opportunity to play risky high-lines, he’s more than capable of eating up ground to recover and stop even the quickest of forwards.

He has spent much of his playing time in the right half-space, but his clever defensive positioning means he is adept at defending wide spaces too. When he picks up the ball in these areas, he is all about finding a forward with an attempted long ball. He has found a good balance and understanding with John Brooks, his defensive partner, who typically stays back to cover Lacroix stepping out of the defensive line.

In terms of Lacroix’s ability in the air, he has laid down the foundations to be really strong in this regard. He is 6’3” and possesses a great leap, if unspectacular compared to some of his fellow defenders in the league. He wins 2.2 aerial duels per game reflecting his sound ability in the air, but on average this season he’s won just over 50% of those per 90 minutes and can be susceptible in this area of his game. For a player of his build and stature, he needs to find the consistently if he is of course to challenge the best of defenders in Europe if Wolfsburg are to secure Champions League football for next season. Though, like all footballers his age, its important to remember that Lacroix is still only 20 years of age which is staggering considering all he’s achieved so far in his first season at top level football.

Lacroix groundwork defensively though, is remarkably impressive. He is a defending freight-train, a man mountain and that’s further highlighted his ground duels. He averages 2.37 blocks, 1.14 tackles won, 2.13 interceptions as well as 5.64 clearances. For a player who’s still gradually developing, these are very good numbers, and its one of the telling reasons why Wolfsburg currently have, not only one of the best defensive records in the German Bundesliga, but in Europe’s top five leagues too.

What does the future hold for Maxence Lacroix?

Lacroix’s performances for Wolfsburg so far this season have already attracted attention from more established outfits. Fellow German giants Borussia Dortmund are reportedly keeping an eye on the talented defender, however Wolfsburg currently stand in third place six points off Borussia Dortmund in sixth, and the way Oliver Glasner’s team are performing so far this season, there is cause to believe that his team could pip Dortmund to a Champions League place so why would Lacroix leave a club in such a promising position for their future?

There’s still a couple months left in the season so who knows + Marco Rose will be due in the hot seat next summer and working under such a renowned coach currently could sway Lacroix’s thinking. However, that shouldn’t be his focus right now.

He’s developing nicely at Wolfsburg, so why bring a stop to that now? Lacroix has built himself a steady reputation as one of Europe’s most highly coveted young defenders at this moment and he must keep his head in check. It is so easy for defenders his age to fall off the wayside.

The next step for him is of course a taste of Champions League football which will do his rapid development the world of good and possibly a call-up to the France squad. There is plenty of outstanding talent for Didier Deschamps to choose from at the back – Raphaël Varane, for example, is a four-time Champions League winner, while Upamecano is expected to be Europe’s next great defender after signing off on a move to Bayern. However, if Lacroix continues to perform as he has done until now, he will become a hard man to ignore.

The likes of Erling Braut Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Andre Silva are gaining all the plaudits right now across Europe for their tremendous goal-scoring exploits in recent weeks.

These are the next generation of top calibre strikers aiming to write their name amongst the best in the world, and while those are three of the most notable in-form strikers across the whole of Europe, there’s still quite a few forwards quietly going about their business under the radar and also trying to grab the same levels of acclaim for the throne.

One of those forwards who deserves to be spoken in the same bracket right now, arguably becoming the sole goal-scoring threat for his club is the supremely gifted and exciting young French striker Amine Gouiri. The former Lyon academy graduate, currently plying his trade at mid-table French outfit Nice is enjoying a sparkling remarkable breakthrough season scoring 15 goals and laying on 6 assists in all competitions.

The 21-year-old is the one true spark in an otherwise bleak Nice attack, making a name for himself while his French counterpart Kylian Mbappe is gaining all the plaudits. Amine Gouiri is yet another French hope for the future, a uniquely gifted forward who’s talents and abilities deserves much more plaudits than he’s getting.

It takes a lot of bottle and courage to leave a club as decorated as Lyon and join a club still trying to find their purpose within France’s top division. There was a need from Gouiri to try and find his own purpose, to go on and get the game time his talents warrant and crave. Despite Nice’s struggles this season, Gouiri is the one thing out of that club inspiring hope within its fanbase.

Facing competition from the likes of Memphis Depay, Karl-Toko Ekambi, fellow young superstar Rayan Cherki and the departed Moussa Dembélé, Gouiri never really got a look in at Lyon. 

He amassed just 10 substitute appearances for the club he’d called home for the best part of a decade, and decided he deserved better. Gouiri found refuge at Adrian Ursea’s Nice, and since his arrival for €7 million at the Allianz Riviera it’s fair to say those who criticized his risky move have been truly silenced.

So how has Gouiri gotten to this stage of his career, how is he pulling up trees at Allianz Riviera and what does the future hold for this terrific young superstar?

Who is Amine Gouiri?

Born and raised in Bourgoin-Jallieu, France. Gouiri joined the Lyon academy at a pretty late age of 13. He signed his first professional contract at the club once he turned 17 for three years.

An internationally renowned prospect at the time, he made the Lyon first team bench at the age of just 16 without appearing but he however did enjoy a steady and progressive rid in the Lyon B team scoring 14 goals in 33 appearances.

Gouiri went on to make his first team bow in November 2017, in a 0-0 home draw against Montpellier in Ligue 1, coming for the final 15 minutes replacing Tanguy Ndombele.

Despite also impressing in front of goal in the UEFA Youth League this term, scoring four goals in three games for Lyon, and delivering some impressive goalscoring performances at international youth level, scoring five in six appearances for the France U20s, Gouiri didn’t get many first-team minutes at Lyon, making just five appearances in all competitions for the club during the 2019/20 campaign. 

Gouiri took the onus upon himself to further his development elsewhere, and Nice came calling for his services, he duly obliged. On 1 July 2020, Gouiri joined the club signing a four-year contract for for a fee of around €7 million. Almost a year on, and Gouiri has not looked back, catapulting himself to become of the league’s most deadliest forwards and arguably its finest young prodigy.

The 21-year old has also made a name for himself at youth international level, he’s appeared for every France youth level and is currently also bagging the goals for the Under-21s too. It surely won’t be long before he’s rewarded for a first international cap for the French first team. If he carries on at the rate he’s under, he may even earn a surprise call-up for the Euros taking place this summer.

What’s all the hype surrounding Amine Gouiri? What’s his style of play?

Amine Gouiri has lined-up in various positions for Nice this season under the tutelage of previous manager Patrick Vieira – sacked in December – and current manager Adrian Ursea. At right-wing, left-wing, behind striker and even had a spell in central midfield but its up front where his superb abilities come to the fore.

However, he isn’t your average striker, a Erling Haaland or Adrien Silva per say, he’s more a Roberto Firmino type player but one who consistently finds the net when the opportunity arises. He’s joint seventh in the Ligue 1 goal-scoring charts with 11 goals and has also registered six assists meaning he’s an all-round forward capable of creating goals just as he is scoring them.

Amine Gouiri this season, has propelled himself in becoming the complete footballer. A player blessed with tremendous skill, a lovely first touch and a determination and bravery in his game that is almost unmatched amongst his peers. You want your strikers, however role they are tasked in fulfilling to score goals and Gouiri has done what is asked with such fine maturity and at a devastating rate.

Blessed with a combination of pace and power that any forward in world football would envy, Gouiri is a predator in the box, and he finds space as if a seasoned veteran. If you need any indication as to his unique talents, you’d only need to check his goal against Nimes, a true beauty. A superb first touch to take himself inside the last defender from a Morgan Schneiderlin long ball, eliminating the defender out of the game before clinically rolling the ball past the Nimes goalkeeper.

In his last six games for Nice, he’s registered 5 goals and 2 assists. Simply stunning.

What makes Gouiri so effective in this Nice side is the freedom at which he is given to express himself.

The goal against Nimes came about because of his great understanding when coming off the left-hand side. As a right-footed player deployed on the left, Gouiri is extremely effective at cutting inside and even delivering a wicked cross.

For a perfect example, see his assist for Dante’s goal away to Montpellier, or opting for a curling effort into the far corner; he’s found his trademark at just 21. Not only is Gouiri Nice’s top scorer, he’s also their top creator, with five Ligue 1 assists. The attack doesn’t exist without him; take him out of the equation and they’d cease to become effective.

Because of his expert talent in front of goal, Gouiri’s xG (expected goals) stands at 12.4 in Ligue 1, a stat he is well on his way to matching and beating considering he continues his wonderful run in front of goal. He’s most notably surpassed his xA (expected assists) of 3.0 with 5 assists in Ligue 1. He’s a cultured creator, albeit through a dribble past his marker or a fine pass or cross. Gouiri averages 3.69 shot-creating actions per 90 which is an offensive action that leads to a shot. He also averages 1.27 key passes per90. He possesses a tremendous understanding of the role he is tasked to play.

When its up front, he often comes deep to receive the ball dragging his marker out of position, which is of course what a customary false-9 should do. Not only that, but he’s excellent qualities when in possession of the ball is such a unique skill-set especially for the role he plays. It’s also important to note that Nice’s forward players are offered the freedom to swap positions so Gouiri will ideally come inside the left in order to be an effective presence. However, most of Nice’s chances are provided through Gouiri. Either he’s involved or there are no chances at all.

This tells us a lot about the kind of player that the 21-year-old Frenchman is. He isn’t the type of player who only becomes visible inside the final third, rather, Gouiri is active off the ball in the early stages of his team’s attacks and can be seen making an effort to aid his team during the build-up by offering his movement and ball-progressing qualities to help his team to advance up the pitch.

During Nice’s build-up, Gouiri likes to occupy this type of position between the opposition’s defensive and midfield lines. If a teammate can find him in between the lines, either in a central position or in the half-space, then the attacker can provide a significant threat to the opposition because of his ability on the ball. His intelligent movement, however, plays an important role in helping his team to progress into much more dangerous positions in the final third.

His dribble success rate reads at 50% from 3.19 attempts per 90 minutes, it may seem low for a player of his qualities but rather it shows the bravery and courage at which he operates. He isn’t afraid to try something audacious or out of the ordinary, he still completes 2 dribbles per 90 minutes. While this is something he will certainly improve on in future, the role he is given at Nice allows him to express himself and that is reflected in his 21 goal contributions at the time of writing.

With four goals in the Europa League, Gouiri has shown he can perform on the European stage, and his tally of 21 goals and assists (G/A) in all competitions holds up extremely well in comparison to other wide forwards across Europe. Players like Sadio Mané has 18 G/A, Harvey Barnes has 17, Raheem Sterling has 21, Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sané have 27 combined and Jadon Sancho has 28; whilst Gouiri is fulfilling different roles, this is equally as impressive. Gouiri’s numbers in comparison to some of his counterparts are exceptional.

It shows that he has to be spoken about in the same bracket as those who receive them week in, week out. Gouiri registers more key passes (1.4) than Kylian Mbappe (1.2). And while many may argue that he mustn’t be placed on a similar pedestal, this is of course his first full season playing professional football, so his number must also be highly regarded.

Amine Gouiri’s forecast for the future?

If rumours are believed to be true, Gouiri is already on the radar of many top clubs around Europe. Liverpool, are rumoured to be holding a particular interest in Gouiri as they seek to find a replacement for the declining Roberto Firmino, according to The Athletic.

While its certainly an indication of how far he’s come so far this season, its important Gouiri keeps firmly on the ground. This is his first full year playing professional football, a move to a club Liverpool with much increasing pressure to perform, especially after their poor title defence this season may not be ideal for Gouiri’s development. Staying and furthering his game at Nice for a year or two will of course do his career some good, despite the club’s struggles this campaign.

Gouiri is still only 21. Many players his age, jump at the chance to move onto the next level without considering the potential ramifications it may bring. The French under-21 international must not become a victim of that. This is a tremendously talented forward, one who is of course going to achieve greatness in future, that’s why these early years are so key, for any footballer.

When Kai Havertz left Germany for Chelsea last summer, many of the Bayer Leverkusen faithful will have been forgiven for doubting where the club will be heading in the future. A club that holds aspirations to become a top four regular in the German Bundesliga and an underdog feature in the Champions League every year, can’t be letting one of their prized assets leave every single time a bigger club comes calling.

However, its a deal that had to happen, not just for the financial benefits – a staggering €85m us bonuses sale – but because Leverkusen are a club that is traditionally built around its promising youth academy setup and a club who always seem to recruit very well in response to a big sale, allowing fans the luxury of having a greater optimism than before the departure of a star player.

Additionally, as has been the case with most top German teams over the years, the departure of one top talent is made up for by the arrival of yet another highly-rated young player making the step up to the senior side. Borussia Dortmund have become something of an expert at this, with a glut of extremely promising young players at their disposal at the moment, and Die Werkself are not too far behind that model.

Havertz had to depart, to make way for yet another promising young starlet, and arguably the Bundesliga’s most promising teenager, a player in the mould of 17-year-old German Florian Wirtz.

A player who has already broken a few age-based records in the Bundesliga, becoming Leverkusen’s youngest ever player when he made his debut against Werder Bremen in May 2020 and also became the youngest ever goal-scorer in the Bundesliga history when he netted against Bayern Munich in June 2020, although that record has since been broken by Borussia Dortmund’s very own wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko in December.

Florian Wirtz has already drawn notable comparisons to his predecessor often dubbed ‘the new Havertz’, and although these comparisons are premature seeing as he only made his debut under a year go, he has already managed to secure a regular place in Leverkusen’s impressive team. It’s no mean feat for a player still in his tender years at 17, but Wirtz has been a revelation since his debut, deserving the rapturous acclaim he’s currently received.

This scout report will detail Wirtz’ come up through the ranks, his player profile, how he fits in in Peter Bosz’ system and what the future holds for this incredibly gifted teenager.

Who is Florian Wirtz?

Born and raised in Brauweiler, just north of Cologne – where he lives with his family – Wirtz joined local club FC Köln in 2010 as a seven-year-old. He’s been famously described by the local newspaper as “the best midfielder to come through the club in 30-years” and almost a year into his professional career, those bold claims doesn’t seem so overly superstitious right now.

Wirtz played an integral role in the FC Köln U17 team’s charge to the German Championship in 2019. Potential suitors, believed to be Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Liverpool, all made swift inquiries for his talented services.

Wirtz scored eight goals in ten U17 games in the 2019/20 campaign before Leverkusen came calling, a club Wirtz felt would provide him with the opportunity to flourish and significantly aid his development. Almost a year on, and Leverkusen are doing just that. The club secured his signature in January 2020.

Wirtz blossomed immediately after his move, hitting two goals and three assists in his first four games for the U17s. He was deemed too good for such a level at just 16 years of age, and was rewarded with his first game for the Leverkusen first team against Werder Bremen in May 2020.

In so doing, he became the club’s youngest-ever debutant and the Bundesliga’s third-youngest player ever, at the age of 17 years & 16 days. 

“He was important to us, that’s why I’m making an exception to speak about one player specifically. He played well right from the off, kept the ball well and pushed forward well too. It’s always something special when you make a debut, especially when you’re 17. All in all, it was a good performance by him, he wasn’t nervous.”

– Leverkusen head coach Peter Bosz on Wirtz’s debut. 

Wirtz has gone on to make 26 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen and is already being touted as one of Germany’s biggest talents currently. It’s a huge claim for a 17-year-old but the right one as Wirtz has shown such remarkable maturity and development within his unique abilities.

Why is Wirtz so highly regarded? What’s his style?

Florian Wirtz has already drawn many comparisons to German’s established attacking-midfield pair Kai Havertz and Julian Brandt so far this past year. There’s no reason why Wirtz can go on and enjoy a much bigger and better career than both of those players. Certainly, it may seem an excessive claim, but Florian Wirtz is that good.

The 17-year-old is a dynamic, mobile, agile and creative midfielder. He’s a diminutive player, standing at just 5’9″, although he still has considerable time to grow and develop physically and mentally. In terms of his position, he’s primarily an attacking midfielder, and has been deployed as such under Peter Bosz at Leverkusen, although he has also lined up in central midfield, as a winger and even as a false-nine at times pointing to his incredible versatility and understanding of each role.

He is indeed quite comparable to Havertz in that the Chelsea playmaker also fulfilled various roles for Leverkusen, but both these players are undoubtedly at their best when playing as playmakers, or number 10s.

As shown through the heatmap below, he is incredibly adept at fulfilling many different roles and positions to the best of his ability. That says a lot for a player who’s only been in the game just under a year.

Most of Wirtz’ game is centred just before the opposition penalty in between the lines, as well as in the half-spaces. He is certainly not averse in roaming across the attacking third and linking up with his teammates as well becoming so effective and dangerous when provided with the space and opportunity to manoeuvre out of tight spaces, turning his marker in order to create opportunities or fashion out chances for himself.

At the time of writing, Wirtz has featured in 29 games for Leverkusen this season, and in terms of raw goal-scoring and assisting numbers, he’s been playing above expectations providing Leverkusen with the platform to become so dangerous and devastating on the counter as well as trying to break down low blocks.

The teenager has so far netted six times, with a further six assists, four in the Bundesliga and five assists which in per 90 minutes terms, that counts to 0.22 goals per 90 and 0.27 assists per 90, providing him with an excellent goal contribution ratio of 0.49/90.

Wirtz is amongst the best and most effective creative attacking midfielders in the Bundesliga. He is extremely influential in possession, and his passing stats show this too. The 17-year-old averages around 42 passes per game owing to Peter Bosz’ possession based system deployed at the BayArena.

Wirtz’ passing accuracy reads at 78.74% which may be seem low for a central midfielder but if you take notice of Wirtz’ game, you’d realise that he is of course given the license to express himself with his passing, attempting high-risk passes in order to form goal scoring chances. So in actual fact his accuracy is at an impressive rate, especially for a player his age.

Wirtz attempts around 11 forward passes per game, at an accuracy of 61%, illustrating the fact that he often likes to play the risky passes as a creative midfielder should do.  Of course, he does need to at times improve his decision-making, since he often ends up losing possession through such risky attempts, but this will come with time and experience – its vital remember that he will not even turn 18 for nearly four months yet, at the time of writing. 

What is so impressive about Florian Wirtz is the incredible bravery and courage at which he operates for Leverkusen, and credit should be given to coach Peter Bosz’ who holds such high belief and faith in Wirtz’ abilities and the German wonderkid is repaying that faith. Already, Wirtz holds the vision, intricacy and abilities to attempt such audacious passes as well as linking up with the likes of Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby in such tight areas. It is exciting to watch at full throttle and much of that is down to Wirtz’ determination, flexibility and enthusiasm.

The 17-year-old is an incredibly skillful player. It doesn’t matter whether two or three players surround him at a time, he is still incredibly adept at overcoming such obstacles. Wirtz attempts 3.61 dribbles per 90 and boasts a success rate at 71% highlighting his impressive ball-carrying technique and the knack of trying to get by his marker. Wirtz possesses very quick feet, and can get away from opponents with a quick burst of speed when needed. This, along with his composure, allows him to be able to get out of opposition challenges on occasion and then drive into space.

He is extremely comfortable both on the transition as well as in established phases of possession, although it must be said that he is quite good at finding runners into space. Leverkusen possess such inventive and quick players in Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby and Wirtz loves to use them to his advantage. Leverkusen are devastating in counter-attacking scenarios, and Wirtz is central to that. The 17-year-old is also quite capable of picking locks and threading passes through the eye of the needle:

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Wirtz averages 1.97 key passes per 90 minutes and 3.33 final third passes. For a 17-year-old, this is incredible. So many players his age are hesitant in these sorts of areas, and tend to overplay their passes or do not play them at the right time to beat an offside trap, but Wirtz knows when to pass and executes them at such an impressive rate.

Wirtz is perfectly capable of finding teammates in space, whether on the counter-attack or in more established phases of possession, trying to break down defences who defend deep. He does indeed need to cut down on his frequency of attempting such passes to improve his ball retention, but this is a requirement for Peter Bosz’s style of play, which focuses on verticality and rapid attacks. 

The teenager is very knowledgeable and plays to his managers instructions. especially in the final third, right down to a tee.

Arguably, his biggest strengths lie in his movement and are big markers in his ability to get past his markers. Despite being just 17-years-old, the German wonderkid is extremely intelligent in terms of the space he finds in the attacking areas. He knows which space he needs to take up in order to hurt his opponents, and that’s what sets him apart from his peers. Once he receives the ball in such areas, he holds the nous and the bravery to drive at the defence as well as laying on his teammates.

Wirtz also possesses a unique tendency to roam in to deep areas, and pick up passes from his defenders or last midfielder in order to drag his marker at out of their area, in order for either Leon Bailey, Nadem Amiri or Moussa Diaby to exploit. It’s why Leverkusen are so destructive when attacking vertically, and Wirtz’ positioning and spatial awareness is evidently effective in Bosz’ system.

Another valuable trait that Bosz’ attacking players must possess is the energy and tenacity to press his opponents high up the pitch. Yet again, Wirtz performs this role with such consummate professionalism and expertise. Like mentioned before, the teenager is brilliantly energetic, tenacious as well as enthusiastic especially when counter-pressing or pressing. Once he loses the ball, he immediately goes and chases it back. Wirtz averages 6.67 successful pressures, 0.87 interceptions and performs 0.66 tackles per game. It’s not the best, but it shows that he does indeed fulfil his task well.

No wonder Peter Bosz is so excited by his abilities. Wirtz’ willingness to learn, improve and take on each tasks will indeed stand him in such grand stead for the future. This is a ridiculously talented player, one who could go on and become arguably the best of his generation. Who needs Kai Havertz when Leverkusen are now blessed with the ability and talents of Florian Wirtz.

What does the future hold for Florian Wirtz?

Florian Wirtz, despite being only 17 years, has managed to hold his own in the dazzling lights of the Bundesliga, to the extent that Leverkusen have not been hurt too hard by the departure of Havertz to Chelsea.

The young playmaker has shown a maturity, understanding and match intelligence beyond his years so far at Leverkusen, and yet he still has so much to learn and improve physically and mentally under Peter Bosz’ tutelage. Leverkusen are currently five points away from a Champions League place in 6th at the time of writing and will need to step up their game in the coming weeks if they are to secure a Champions League spot.

Wirtz will be central to their ambitions, not just for the now but in future too.

Of course, it will not be too long before Wirtz is snapped up by a much bigger European outift in the future, but any talk of him moving from a stable and ever-improving Leverkusen team is incredibly premature. It will be imperative that the midfielder focuses on improving and sharpening his game, because he is well on course to acheiving greatness if he can remain hard-working and humble.

The 17-year-old has also made the step up to the German U-21 side in the last year, so do not be surprised to see him turning out for Die Mannschaft sooner rather than later. You may well see him in Germany’s final squad for the Euros this summer. He certainly deserves the opportunity.