In the Netherlands, the big three clubs, Feyenoord, Ajax and PSV Eindhoven have always stood out above the rest in their commercial success, fame and financial muscle. However, the 2019/20 campaign, despite its curtailment has seen AZ Alkmaar give the league table a breath of fresh air, breaking the expected league standings.

Conjuring up a second placed standing level on points with Dutch giants Ajax, AZ were there closest challengers and were on course to record their first league triumph since 2009, before the season was deemed null and void.

AZ’s Alkmaar’s emergence is certainly no fluke, in fact its a successful one and one that could leave a lasting impact on the big three Dutch outfits. If you look behind AZ’s success this season, you’d find that it is down to their impressive emphasis on their youth setup and one academy product arguably central to their efforts this season is bright young winger Calvin Stengs.

A product of the much famed academy since the age of 12, Stengs has rapidly emerged as a fundamental piece of the AZ Alkmaar jigsaw, along with Myron Boadu, Teun Koopmeiners and Owen Wijndal. Members of the first team squad have been together for many years.

Stengs is the one who has stood out, already attracting the interest of a number of top European outfits such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus. His 25 outings in the Dutch Eredivisie has captured the imagination of his reported suitors.

Who is Calvin Stengs?

Born in Nieuw-Vennep, Northern Holland, Stengs joined the AZ youth academy at the age of 12, having formerly played for local side SV DIOS and HFC Haarlem.

Stengs was promoted to the reserve side for the 2016/17 season playing in the Dutch third division. That season proved a successful one for the winger, finishing the campaign with six goals and eight assists from 20-odd outings. His sparkling performances with the reserves rightly warranted the attention of then first team coach John van den Brom.

His promotion came at the end of the 2016/17 conclusion, playing in the Eredivisie Europa League play-offs. With two appearances under his belt, Stengs made an immediate impression scoring in both semi-final games against FC Groningen, before setting up two goals in the first of two legs against FC Utrecht. AZ suffered defeat on penalties, at the last hurdle, however, it was opportunity to look at their academy product Calvin Stengs, if they had gained anything from the experience is that they held a future star in their hands.

AZ Alkmaar possessed a player they could really build around, and that they did. Entering the following season with much anticipation, they acquired the services of Marco Bizot and Oussama Idrissi – supplementing the exciting group of homegrown talent that were ultimately fast tracked into the first team picture.

However, Stengs’ 2017/18 was cut short abruptly, a game where he was awarded his first start in a 3-2 defeat against PSV Eindhoven, twisting his knee and tearing his ACL in just the seventh minute. Stengs didn’t feature until October the following year, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3-0 victory over FC Utrecht in January 2019. The campaign proved a steady progression for him finishing the season with 3 goals and 4 assists from 21 appearances.

Stengs’ ever presence in the first team picture was a welcome sight and the matured nature of his return aided his development within the current campaign – one that proved his remarkable breakthrough as an outstanding young talent.

How has Calvin Stengs impressed this season? What’s his style?

A jinky, tricky, remarkably gifted young forward, Calvin Stengs is a pain for defenders when he’s on the ball. Capable of easily getting by his markers with a silky drop of the shoulders, feinting one way then moving the other way. The way in which Stengs performs such moves is a joy to watch.

While Myron Boadu and Idrissi are seen as the explosive forwards blessed with such blistering pace, Stengs represents the more subtle and creative spark in the attacking trio. One such subtlety is his spatial awareness, and effortless knack of picking the right pockets of space in between the lines.

He typically lines up on the right of the AZ front free but is given the license to roam around in the attacking and middle third to create space and give the team more options when in possession of the ball. It’s through these areas where Stengs is at his most dangerous, capable of threading such delicate, fine through balls to his fellow forwards or to attempt shots with his stronger left-boot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMFm9rj1rPs

Calvin Stengs was directly involved in more shots (122) than any other AZ player in the 2019/20 Eredivisie campaign. He’s made 2.5 shots per game, 2.4 key passes and 2.4 dribbles highlighting his subtle but decisive impact in AZ’s exciting attack.

5 goals and 7 assists in the Dutch Eredivisie this season is simply impressive. Add that to his 2 goals and 2 assist through AZ’s Europa League run and you can see that Stengs was performing so close to his undoubted potential before the season was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Stengs can simply put in a reliable performance within any of the attacking positions. His flexibility, vision, trickery, ball technique and balance warrants such versatility even for a player who’s just finished his second full season as a professional footballer.

Stengs is an atypical modern forward but with a blend of silky attributes, as the above heat map shows, Stengs does most of his work coming in off the right, he also has no problem picking up the deep in midfield and finding his teammates in more advanced positions or even dribbling past a few opponents to drive his team up the pitch.

When he receives a pass, he already has an idea of what he’s going to do and even if that plan fails, he’s very adept in improvising, manoeuvring his way out of trouble. His posture is open to play, often on the half-turn, and he can take his first touch with either foot.

In tight spaces, he’s capable of shifting the ball between both feet to protect possession, a trait that so few players can perform. Yet, Stengs has mastered them which opens up more angles and creates more options for his next creative action.

Stengs isn’t your typical winger, one who is relatively goes to the byline and get crosses in. He can obviously perform such roles, but he performs at his best when being allowed the freedom to create within the final third areas. Per 90 minutes, he performs 5.42 passes into the penalty area, 8.32 progressive passes and 4 through balls. These numbers highlights that Stengs is twice as productive in creating chances.

The young Dutchman is second behind Ajax’s talisman Hakim Ziyech regarding forward passes. He’s got a remarkable understanding with Myron Boadu and its Boadu’s off the ball runs that allows Stengs the opportunity to thread through balls for him to run onto. He identifies runners expertly and often spots passes that most wingers can’t.

What does the future hold for Calvin Stengs?

Calvin Stengs holds such distinctive features in his game; a tall, slender physique that so often glides around the pitch effortlessly facilitating attacks with his silky left foot, supporting a Leroy Sane-like afro. Indeed, he holds similar characteristics to the German international.

Stengs is indeed a unique talent, its no wonder why he’s so highly regarded in Holland and it won’t be long before he becomes a key component for Ronald Koeman at international level in the coming future after his debut last year. While Myron Boadu may have captured the attention because of his goal scoring exploits, Stengs is in fact the heartbeat of this exciting AZ Alkmaar side – the driving force behind their progressive team.

While it may be tempting for top clubs to move for him this summer, a couple more years leading AZ certainly won’t hurt his development. It’s his performances for the club that has Ronald Koeman excited about the prospect of having him in the national team. His attributes are seriously appreciated at AZ, and that may be the case for a while yet.

Though, there are a few Premier League sides who could do with his sublime attributes. Don’t be surprised to see a move to the English top-flight in the near future.

RB Leipzig’s French under-21 centre-half Dayot Upamecano has long been considered as one of Europe’s most coveted and talented young defenders. With a whole host of clubs looking at defenders who are well versed in building attacks from the back, the RB Leipzig defender is a fantastic model of that trait.

It’s no wonder why the most elite clubs in Europe are ally vying for his signature. Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City and Bayern Munich are all rumoured to be interested in the player.

However, they will all have to wait with RB Leipzig reportedly tying him down to a contract extension.

Here’s a profile of the young defender:

Who is Dayot Upamecano?

Born in Evreux, France. Upamecano is a product of the Valenciennes FC. After attracting the interest of some huge clubs including Manchester United, the defender joined Red Bull Salzburg in the summer of 2015 for a reported fee of around €2.2 million. He was in-fact close to joining United only for the deal to eventually break down over some promises that United failed to deliver for the youngster.

After featuring 17 times for RB Salzburg, the French youngster moved across the Red Bull chain to RB Leipzig in January 2017, joining on a 4-and-a-half year contract for a reported €10 million fee. Ever since then, the defender hasn’t looked back. Becoming the fulcrum of an impressive Leipzig side which has gradually progressed season-by-season since his move in early 2017.

His early impressive performances was rewarded with him being shortlisted for the Golden Boy award in 2018. Upamecano has also represented France at every youth level, and has registered 14 caps for the under-21 side, showcasing is excellent promise and steady progression.

This season, Upamecano has featured in 29 appearances for RB Leipzig. He’s also started 6 of Leipzig’s eight Champions League games en-route to their first ever quarter-final spot after their emphatic 3-0 win over Tottenham in the last-16 second-leg tie.

So, how has Upamecano impressed? 

Dayot Upamecano is a bulldozer. A freight train, however you wanna refer to him. The French under-21 international has been a mainstay in the RB Leipzig defence ever since his move from RB Salzburg. In a season where Leipzig have contributed one of the meanest defences in the whole division, Upamecano has been a key part of that.

It’s not only Upamecano’s power and size that sets him apart, but his extraordinary abilities to play the ball out from the back with his passing, reading of the game and also the unique knack of dribbling his way out of trouble. His dribbles also contributes to Leipzig’s expansion in attack, its because of his effective dribbles that the whole team can be relieved of pressure and form an attack. The Frenchman is the perfect ball-playing centre-half. The defender dribbles past opponents more times per90 (1.36) than he gets dribbled past (0.83).

In an era where a ball-playing role from centre-half is the regular trend in Europe, Upamecano holds all the attributes needed to fit into simply any top team on the continent.

With a pass completion rate of almost 90%, the Frenchman has also completed more tackles than any of his Leipzig teammates, averaging 2.2 tackles per 90 in the Bundesliga and an astonishing 3.2 in the Champions League. He’s also so far registered almost two interceptions per game in the Champions League and also the most clearances in both competitions.

Upamecano’s pace is also a frightening component of his game. More than capable of matching it with Europe’s quickest forwards. It’s a weapon which allows him to recover well and also him to quickly recover from any potential mistakes. Team mate Timo Werner heaped high praise on the defender, claiming that the Frenchman has all the tools to become as good as Jerome Boateng. Also stating that the defender holds an “unbelievable physique”.

The defender is also a destructive force in the air too. Per game, he averages two aerial duels domestically as well as 2.5 in the Champions League.

There are indeed a few things the defender can work on, such as his acts of petulance at times and discipline, he’s picked up 6 yellows cards this season and was sent off against Paderborn in matchweek 30 for throwing the ball away. Also, the defender can be susceptible to the odd lack of concentration, he’s able to recover well which means he’s well capable of getting himself out of trouble.

It’s understandable to place this weakness down to his young age, but if he is to reach the top, these are the improvements he needs to address and that will indeed come with age.

What next for the defender? Where will he fit in, Manchester United or City? 

the defender has recently signed a new contract to stay at the club so his immediate future will be spent furthering his development and learning at such a highly reputable club right now. The defender has made the right decision for his future.

One of the most highly coveted and talented young defenders in Europe. Benfica’s very own, Ruben Dias – a name which is bound to be the topic of transfer conversations this in the summer window, despite the potential financial impact of the coronavirus.

It’s a surprise the Portuguese international is still representing the Portuguese giants, with many – even those within the club – believing that the centre-half should have already moved on to much greener pastures by now. With no respect to Benfica, his talents and abilities are much better served on a much grander stage. Recently turned 23, Dias’ expected big money move away could well be fast approaching.

Barcelona, Manchester United and Manchester City are all interested in his incredible services, and a player of his ilk and class should indeed be gracing the biggest clubs around.

This Scout report will provide a brief overview on his rise to prominence through the ranks, his incredible growth in a talented Benfica team and why he is so highly thought of around European football.

Who is Ruben Dias?

Born in Amadora, Portugal. Ruben Dias started his career at local club Estrela da Amadora, before eventually moving to the highly acclaimed Benfica youth academy in 2008 at the age of 11, where he played for the junior team until 2015. In September that year, he made his professional debut for the Benfica B team in a LigaPro match against Chaves.

A few months later, Dias was rewarded with a deserved call-up to the first team for Benfica’s Champions League Round of 16 tie against Zenit St Petersburg at the age of 18, after three of Benfica’s four main centre-backs were unavailable. Although, he didn’t make an appearance, it was huge step in the right direction for Dias. The following campaign saw him aid the B team in finishing fourth, their highest position ever obtained in the Portuguese second division. He also played a pivotal role in the B team reaching the final of the UEFA Youth League in 2017.

It was the following September, where he made his long-awaited first team debut in a Primeira Liga match against Boavista, the young defender then went on to solidify his placing in the team, making it his own. Amongst his very impressive and shining performances was the two group ties against Manchester United in the Champions League.

However, Dias would end up having to undergo surgery for appendicitis and miss a month of football, after which he had to work hard to regain his place once again.

Since recovering from the injury, Ruben Dias certainly hasn’t looked back, proving an integral part of Benfica’s improvement and renaissance, he was also handed his first international appearance for Portugal in a friendly against Tunisia in the summer of 2018. He would then go on to make the World Cup squad without making an appearance.

However, there was always the belief that the defender would become an integral part of Portugal’s growth and maturity in the coming future. Dias was apart of the squad which won the UEFA Nations League, playing in the finals of the competition.

This season, Dias’s stock has risen considerably impressing on numerous occasions, attracting the interest of Lyon, which prompted him to sign a new contract with Benfica which would keep him at the club until 2023.

How has Dias rose to prominence? What’s all the hype about? 

In an era where centre-backs are required to build up attacks from the back with their positional understanding and ability to pick out players in more dangerous areas on the pitch, or feed passes in between the lines of play, Ruben Dias has provided Benfica with just the right tools in their possession-based fluid attacking football.

While the deep-lying playmakers in the midfield may be seen as the main orchestrator, Dias has shared the mantle, becoming a key figure when Benfica attempt to instigate attacks from defence. Ruben Dias averages 64.1 passes per game, with an astonishing success rate of nearly 90%. He also attempts 5.3 long passes, becoming so decorated in the art of finding his attacking players with some defence splitting long balls.

His ability to play out from the back is such vital ingredient for coach Bruno Lage, much of Benfica’s impressive football stems from Dias and Ferro’s passing abilities from defence. Despite oppositions who typically prioritise sitting back and cutting passing lanes, Dias is patient and precise on the ball, a crucial factor in building Benfica attacks.

The Portuguese international is so confident in possession, agile, incredibly technical and holds a unique skill set when dribbling out of trouble or into space to hurt the opposition. Because of his ability on the ball and confidence when finding his team-mates, he’s always afforded more time than regularly allowed. Constant pressure doesn’t faze him. An invaluable weapon in the modern game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t05KNe9Khoo

At 23 years of age, Ruben Dias is already in his third season as a regular. Partnered with fellow academy graduate Ferro, he is a highly influential figure in Benfica’s back-line who just conceded 14 goals in 25 league games before its curtailment due to the coronavirus outbreak. Benfica average 0.58 goals conceded per game, 0.12 less than any other team in the Primeira Liga or in Europe’s top five leagues.

The hugely decorated centre-back is hugely responsible for such impressive defensive statistics. He organises the back-line, with reliable leadership, defensive positioning and authority. He is also a dominant presence in the air as well as on the ground, winning 2.1 aerial duels per game in the Primeira Liga. In the Champions League, he’s won 2.8 aerial duels per game.

On the ground, he’s a real force, making 1.3 tackles, 0.9 interceptions, 2.4 clearances while he’s only been dribbled past 0.3 times per game. Dias is a hugely imposing figure especially when trying to dribble round him, his fantastic spatial awareness, positioning when in 1v1 duels means he’s more than likely – as the stats show – to retrieve the ball for his team.

Although stats do not necessarily show how good a defender is, Dias’ numbers are only just half the story, it is a further representation of his dominance and the impact he holds in a defensively sound unit such as Benfica’s.

What does the future hold for Dias? Should he seek pastures new?

If Ruben Dias harbours any ambitions to reach top level football, then a move away to one of the top clubs around Europe will certainly do him no harm. In fact, at the rate he’s performed over the past year shows that he’s well adept in putting across the same figures in a much better league.

With no disrespect to the Portuguese top-flight and Benfica, there is no way Dias can truly perfect his qualities and test himself playing at such a level. Moving to a club such as a Barcelona or a Manchester City where the football is tailor-made for him, and the levels are its peak can only stand him in good stead for his personal development and maturity.

Ruben Dias is indeed a top-level footballer, and with the right conditions and coaching, he can become one of Europe’s most decorated centre-backs for years to come. Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola is rumoured to be a strong admirer of the Portuguese international, and with the Premier League champions in desperate need of a top-level centre-back, Ruben Dias certainly fits the mould.

His ability to play out from the back, aerial prowess and dominance in 1v1 battles means he would be a stark upgrade on Manchester City’s options and allow City to become a strong force in defence once again. He still has three-years left on his current deal at Benfica, which would allow the Portuguese giants to the demand a high fee for the young defender.

However much he costs, Ruben Dias will be worth ever penny.

Regularly touted as one of the brightest and most talented young centre-backs in the country. Leeds’ on loan Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White is a man raising a whole host of eyebrows under the tutelage of Marcelo Bielsa.

White has made a massive impression in the Championship this season, emerging as one of the key members in the clubs pursuit of Premier League football for next season. It’s caused a whole host of top clubs to attempt to secure his signature this summer.

Liverpool, Manchester City and United are rumoured to be interested in the possibility of signing the defender, even though he’s yet to feature in the top-flight at parent club Brighton.

This scout report will provide a brief overview of White’s come-up, a detailed analysis of his progress at Leeds and the forecast for his bright future:

Who is Ben White?

Born a little away from AFC Bournemouth on the south coast of England, Ben White started out at the academy of Southampton coached as a junior before eventually joining Brighton and Hove Albion.

The centre-back – currently on loan at Leeds United – has seen his fair share of first team football, amassing over 100 first team appearances for three different clubs on loan throughout England’s Football League system.

His first taste of senior level came at Newport County, a stint that significantly furthered and improved his development in 2017. His second stint came at Peterborough the following season, joining them mid-season in the January window in 2019. His elegant and unique brand of defending was further enhanced at the club progressively putting him on the map as one of the brightest young defenders in the Football League. It seemed fitting that his next destination would come at the next level – Leeds United.

Under the stewardship of Marcelo Bielsa, Ben White has expectedly thrived beyond measure. Fast forward eight months and the centre-back has rapidly emerged as arguably the best centre-back in the whole division through his dominant and unique performances at the heart of Leeds’ defence.

How has White emerged on the scene, what’s his style?

Composed on the ball, dominant aerially, calm under pressure with his passing and tackling, White has impressively adhered to the robust nature of the Championship with consummate ease. It’s as if the time spent in the Championship has proven a step down rather than a learning curve.

The on loan Brighton defender is already tailor made for the Premier League and his experience at Leeds under Bielsa is sure to aid him significantly when he does eventually feature regularly within the biggest stage.

Ben White is the composite, modern day centre-back. His smooth transition from League Two level football to the Championship has seen him maintain his unique trait of performing so cool in possession, and its further helped by the fact that Bielsa’s philosophy is hell-bent on progressive play from the centre-backs. He is steadfast in style, which is perhaps why he is such a good fit for Bielsa’s Leeds; he is fast-paced and fearless at times, stepping out to open passing lanes, but equally considered and meticulously calculated.

Buoyed by his capture of the prestigious talent that is White, on the back of fan favourite Pontus Jansson’s move to Brentford. White proved the most adequate and perfect replacement for the captain, doing far better than most expected of him, especially for a player of no prior second-level experience.

After 27 Championship games, White had already toppled the number of long balls completed by Jansson the previous season. The Englishman’s ball playing has become the hallmark of everything good about Leeds’ football this season.

Rather than instantly try and find a attacking player in a dangerous position – not to say he can’t perform those passes – he picks his moments, regularly recycling the ball around the defence in order to create an opening when it appears. White averages 55.7 passes per game, with a pass success rate of 85.3% meaning the defender is a pass master.

Declaring that central defenders in the Championship require a certain level of physical toughness to thrive is almost a recycled cliche, however it does ring true in most circumstances. White’s technical acumen differs in comparison to most centre backs in the division, but it does not mean he can be physically dominant when need be.

He is solid aerially winning 2.8 duels per game, 1.7 tackles, 2.4 interceptions, in fact White has made the most interceptions of any player in the Championship this season. He may not look the most physically dominant player, but his image is not the whole picture. He is consummate when shepherding out the most physically built players, and standing up to them. His match intelligence is there for all to see when facing up to opponents, allowing him to positioning himself well to coax forwards away from threatening positions and make blocks. He times his tackles very well too and a very fine reader of the game.

White’s been dribbled past on average only 0.5 times per game meaning he is so difficult to get past due to brilliant positional sense and understanding of the differing defensive phases of play.

What does the future hold for White?

For a player who only made his Championship debut in August 2019, White’s progression into the required standard has been remarkable and swift meaning he is highly adaptable and a quick learner. The league has brought him face-to-face with the most rigorous of attacks with forwards in the current era possessing more intelligent movement, greater athleticism and unique styles. Yet, it hasn’t fazed Ben White.

Naturally, Ben White’s next destination will certainly be in the Premier League whether at Brighton or a bigger club. Leeds supporters will hope they can keep hold of him, and it remains likely considering they are a few games away from Premier League promotion if the season does resume after the coronavirus pandemic. Even then, prying him away fro Graham Potter’s Brighton could prove difficult, though Brighton’s position in the Premier League is not guaranteed considering they are still locked in a relegation battles.

It won’t be a surprise to see clubs such as Liverpool and Manchester City make a move for the defender considering Brighton do fail to beat relegation. Stylistically, White fits the mould and it won’t be long before he is also on the international picture for England.

Wherever he ends up next season, White’s experience in the Championship under one of the world’s most decorated coaches has already catapulted him to the levels required to not only perform in the Premier League, but become a top-level, potential world class first team regular even at the most biggest clubs in the division.

Borussia Monchengladbach’s Denis Zakaria is attracting a whole lot of interest heading into the summer transfer window, providing it still goes ahead as planned as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It certainly hasn’t stopped a lot of clubs scouring for his services.

The Swiss international is believed to cost in the region of around 40-50million pounds. The midfielder has alerted the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur.

The 23-year-old is one of Europe’s most wanted young midfielders as he continues his steady development in the German Bundesliga. Zakaria had become a focal point in Borussia Mochengladbach’s progression before his injury, as they attempt to chase an unprecedented Champions League spot.

Despite not featuring since the restart, Zakaria will still be the subject of much interest in a relatively altered transfer window this summer.

 

Who is Denis Zakaria? 

Born in Geneva, Switzerland. Denis Zakaria started out at Servette FC before making his move to top Swiss side BSC Young Boys in June 2015. He made his Swiss Super League debut a month later against FC Zurich in a 1-1 away draw coming on as a second-half substitute.

The midfielder spent two years at Young Boys before moving on to his current club Borussia Mochengladbach in the summer of 2017, signing a five year contract. Zakaria was initially signed as a replacement for Mahmoud Dahoud who departed for Borussia Dortmund. Almost three years on and the €10 million fee paid for the Swiss international’s services is looking a superb bargain.

Not only has Zakaria become a key figure at club level but also for his nation Switzerland, featuring in 28 caps, scoring three goals. What’s interesting about Zakaria’s early career is that he could have featured for Sudan and Congolese with his mother of Sudan descent and his father originating from Congo. However, he has only ever played for Switzerland, starting out for the Under-19s and the Under-21s before making his debut for the first team against Belgium in 2016.

 

How has Zakaria become a key figure for Gladbach? What’s his style? 

Standing at 6ft 3in, Denis Zakaria is a man mountain. Not only in his tall frame, but he is powerfully built, a unit of a player which provides with the luxury to dominate his opponents and frighten them even before a ball is kicked.

Though, Zakaria is more than just size. He’s got a fantastic engine room too, capable of running around for all of 90 minutes non stop. He once covered a remarkable 7 kilometres in a league game against Cologne and further backed up the performance with an 88% pass success rate, a duel win rate of 80% whilst also accumulating 61 touches of the ball.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BrShCDoFyg

What’s also so unique about Zakaria is that he’s not your typical defensive midfielder, one who sticks in front of the defence and fulfils his swash-buckling duties. While he can perform the role with such astuteness, drive and aplomb, he’s more of your typical box-to-box midfielder. Zakaria is well capable of driving his team up the pitch with his sheer size, power, aggression and speed on the ball. This season in the Bundesliga, the Swiss International averages 2 dribbles per 90 minutes.

Denis Zakaria can do it all. He’s also drawn comparisons to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and Manchester United’s Paul Pogba. It almost as if the midfielder combines the best elements of both of their characteristics in his own game.

The 23-year-old is incredibly versatile and can play in different roles across the midfield. As a box-to-box and a destructive defensive midfielder. He can also play at centre-back too when deployed in a back-three, he’s got the strength, size, ball-playing abilities and reading of the game to thrive. What stands him out amongst his team-mates is the ability to receive the ball in tight areas or under pressure and come out of the pressure completely unstuck. Per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga this season, Zakaria averages nearly 7 passes whilst under pressure. He attracts pressure but he’s got the balance, power and prowess to overcome it.

His dribbling for such a tall player is all the more spectacular. Zakaria’s dribbling success rate per 90 minutes reads at 2.18 out of 2.92 attempts with a 78% completion rate. The Swiss international may be brilliant under pressure but he’s also consummate applying pressure himself. Per 90 minutes, he’s applied pressure to an opponent who’s received a pass 17 times (17.3).

A typical midfielder must also have the capabilities to pass a ball adequately and become influential in the teams buildup play. Denis Zakaria is hugely influential for Gladbach. His passing completion percentage reads at 86.7% which means he’s got a brilliant passing range and he’s also not afraid to attempt a pass that looks impossible for most players.

Most importantly, his knack of constantly breaking up play, and his destructive nature makes him the complete midfielder, truly capable of performing every role or action required of him. Denis Zakaria has completed 86 tackles so far this season, 11 blocks, won a total of 24 aerial duels and has intercepted an opponents pass 111 times.

Simply Dominant.

Add to all those impressive stats, he’s also registered two goals and two assists. Denis Zakaria has got the lot.

 

Is Zakaria ready for a shot at the Premier League?

Stats show that Denis Zakaria is tailor made for the Premier League. Not only that but his sheer size, power and aggression. It’s no wonder why numerous clubs in the English top-flight are all interested in securing his signature.

The midfielder is certainly ready for the top-level. However, if Gladbach secure Champions League football for next season then you certainly can’t back against Zakaria spending another year in Germany.

Zakaria deserves such a level and wherever he heads to next must offer him the chance to play at Europe’s top competition. It’s a stage where midfielders like him have excelled in the past. Denis Zakaria is certainly capable of placing himself on that illustrious list of players to have graced the Champions League stage.