Category: La Liga

Meet Cristhian Mosquera: The Next Elite Graduate From Valencia CF’s Prestigious Academy

Meet Cristhian Mosquera: The Next Elite Graduate From Valencia CF’s Prestigious Academy

Ask any football fan who the most famous clubs in the Spanish La Liga are, and they’d be sure to pick out the usual culprits: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Valencia CF, who will arguably crop up approximately eight or nine times out of ten.

In fact, you won’t be surprised to find that most would name the latter more than the former.

The club from the southeastern Mediterranean coast of Spain has had many great squads and managers in its decorated history.

Remember some of their famous players, David Villa, David Silva, Santiago Canizares, Vincente, David Albelda, Juan Mata, Ever Banega & Pablo Aimar or in their past managerial department, Rafael Benitez, Claudio Ranieri, Ronald Koeman & Unai Emery?

Pretty glowing & decorated indeed.

Their peak was at the start of the 2000s when they reached two UEFA Champions League finals and won the UEFA Cup and La Liga in 2004 under Benitez.

Valencia CF celebrate winning the 2003/04 edition of the UEFA Cup under Rafael Benitez’s management.

However, the club fell into somewhat of a great depression because of a series of bad financial decisions and the 2008 financial crisis.

They never managed to recover and, therefore, were sold to investor Peter Lim.

In the early stages of the takeover, things seemed upward, with the club qualifying for the Champions League multiple times.

Under manager Marcelino, the team finished fourth in La Liga in consecutive seasons, 2017/18 and 2018/19, and even reached the semi-final of the UEFA Europa League in 2019, also winning the Copa del Rey that year.

Marcelino guided Valencia to Spanish Copa Del Rey success in 2019 before being sacked the following season.

After that, Marcelino was fired by Peter Lim himself, and the club found itself in a downward spiral, being forced to sell star talent like Carlos Soler, Ferran Torres or club legend Dani Parejo and only being able to replace them for cheap or through their academy, which is one of the best in Europe.

Ever since Marcelino’s sacking, Valencia’s league positions have fluctuated, finishing 9th, 13th, 9th, 16th and 9th over the last five years whilst having to rummage through a handful of managerial appointments to find out its best fit, but to no avail.

The current 2024/25 campaign has proven to be arguably their most tumultuous.

After only winning two out of their last 24 league games, legendary Valencia midfielder Rubén Baraja was relieved of his duties as manager with the club steeped in the relegation zone.

At Christmas, desperate times called for desperate financial measures as they activated a release clause of between £3-4 million to acquire talented West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan. Four months on from that decision, Los Che have enjoyed an upward trajectory on the field.

Former West Bromwich Albion coach Carlos Corberan has made a considerable impact at the Mestalla Stadium since his appointment in December.

At the time of writing, they’ve won the second-most points total (25) [Transfermarkt] of any club in La Liga since Corberan’s appointment, and now currently sit 14th in the table, seven points off the drop zone.

Since the Spanish coach took over at his dream job, Valencia have lost just four out of 16 games, against Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and twice against Barcelona. They’re unbeaten against everyone else they’ve faced, and that’s down to Corberan’s impact both tactically and in his personable management.

Valencia also recently beat Real Madrid on their own turf – the first time they’ve done so since 2008 and their first away win of the campaign – another massive signifier of Corberan’s stellar impact at the Mestalla in just four months.

Even if the club’s off-field matters continue to plague the club’s standing amongst the elite in Spain and their reputation in Europe, their current form under Corberan is certainly providing a light at the end of an incredibly dark tunnel.

One element Valencia continue to find some sense of pride in is its flawless academy, with a number of their young talents currently thriving under Corberan’s tutelage.

Javi Guerra, Yarek Gasiorowski, Fran Perez, Jesús Vázquez and Diego Lopez are a few of their most exciting academy graduates, but one player arguably garnering the most attention both domestically and within Europe’s elite is young, uniquely gifted centre-back Cristhian Mosquera.

The current campaign is Mosquera’s second as an established first-team player at Valencia, and he is already showcasing why he is considered one of the most complete young centre-backs in Europe.

As a result, he’s attracting a whole host of interest with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and AS Roma all rumoured to be casting an eye on him over the past year.

It won’t be long before the Spanish under-21 international is Valencia’s next big sale in the transfer market. So, how has the 20-year-old gotten to this stage in his career & what will he offer potential suitors?

Who is Cristhian Mosquera?

The story of Cristhian Mosquera starts in Alicante, Spain, a coastal city in the south of the Valencian Community.

He was born to Colombian parents and, at a young age, picked up the sport of basketball instead of football.

Mosquera grew up during the NBA’s global rise when Pau Gasol was winning championships with the late Kobe Bryant.

Given the Spaniard’s height and physique, it’s no surprise to find that he could well have been donning an LA Lakers jersey rather than a Valencia CF had he gotten his own way.

But it was on a Futsal pitch where Mosquera started, developed and honed the unique footballing qualities that we see in his game today.

He joined a local youth team for the sole reason that his cousin played for the team, and they needed a player due to being a man short.

Whatever happened during that period certainly persuaded Mosquera to try out a full eleven-a-side pitch, and it all led to him making his move to the Valencia CF youth team.

He then moved up the ranks quickly, making his full first-team debut in a January 2022 Copa del Rey victory over CD Atlético Baleares.

At 17 years, 6 months, and 23 days, Mosquera became the eighth youngest debutant for Los Che in their club’s history, as well as the youngest ever centre back.

Since then, the now 20-year-old has become the bedrock and heartbeat of the club’s defensive line ever since his La Liga debut against Sevilla in 2022, continually growing and developing to become one of Spain’s most prestigious young footballers.

He’s yet to feature for Luis de la Fuente’s European champions, continuing his development and maturity for the youth teams, but it certainly won’t be long before he’s performing at the highest level not only at club level but for Spain.

However, Mosquera also holds a Colombian passport, making him eligible to feature for Los Cafeteros should he find his opportunities for the Spanish senior side limited.

So far this campaign, he’s clocked just under 3000 minutes of football for Valencia. Last season, he registered 3,252 minutes, highlighting his incredible durability and availability for the club- a unique characteristic that elite clubs will be looking for when trying to sign a young, reliable and workaholic centre-back.

Mosquera, without a shadow of a doubt, will fit the bill for several of Europe’s best.

Dissecting the Cristhian Mosquera Hype / Style of Play

There’s the old saying, ‘Never judge a book by its cover, ‘ but in Mosquera’s case and for the sake of this analysis piece, we simply have to go against the old adage because the Spaniard’s cover arguably makes up for his exceptional footballing gifts.

At face value, when looking at the 20-year-old, the first characteristics you’d notice are his striking physical attributes.

Standing at 6’2″, Mosquera commands attention with his impressive physique and striking presence. With broad shoulders, a lanky frame and a solid build, he resembles a centre-back that could have been designed in a lab to meet the ideal specifications of modern football.

The Los Che academy graduate embodies the quintessential traits of a contemporary centre-back, perfectly blending physical prowess with a refined understanding of the game.

Mosquera’s height and strength enable him to dominate in aerial duels, while his keen tactical awareness and agility add to his imposing on-field persona.

Antonio Rudiger Regen?

The young Spaniard is drawing compelling comparisons to the formidable Real Madrid centre-back Antonio Rudiger.

Each match you watch intensifies the similarities, revealing a blend of poise, strength, and tactical awareness that echoes Rudiger’s commanding presence on the pitch. The parallels in their playing styles are becoming increasingly striking and undeniable, adding depth to the admiration for this emerging talent.

Should Real Madrid be looking at potential Rudiger replacements in the near future, Mosquera should certainly be at the top of their list.

Like the German, Mosquera is a commanding presence, a true backline leader, and an unstoppable force and given his knowledge and understanding of the Spanish top flight, he’d fit right in at the Santiago Bernabeu.

There’s a reason Mosquera is highly regarded amongst Europe’s elite, and before we can delve into his attributes/abilities, let’s see what the stats say.

Stats a fact

Immediately, two attributes stand out for Mosquera: defensive action volume and duel success rate.

The defensive actions component is encouraging but can be influenced heavily by possession, and with Valencia sitting 14th in the La Liga for possession of the ball [FBRef] this season, it explains a good bit of his success. 

Los Che under Carlos Corberan have improved considerably defensively. Their freak 7-1 defeat to Barcelona in late January should arguably be considered an outlier since the change in management.

The only other time they’ve conceded more than twice in a game since then came in their 3-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid a month later. Yes, it’s only hypothetical, but if not for those two results, Valencia would hold one of the best defensive records in the league since the turn of the year.

Corberan has moulded and shaped Valencia into a more dogged, organised and determined defensive unit, just like he did for Sky Bet Championship side West Brom during his tenure in Birmingham. Los Che may not have the ball all the time, but they are well-versed in controlling their opponents regardless.

Throughout his tenure, the Spaniard has alternated between 3-4-2-1 and a 4-2-3-1 formation, with his wingers dropping back out of the 4-2-3-1 to form a back-three with two wing-backs early on.

In the above image, we can see their defensive shape up against Girona with five defenders forming the last line with the three centre-backs, including Mosquera, and the wing-backs marking Girona’s attackers.

André Almeida and Diego López, the attacking midfielders or wingers per se, are dropping to the height of the two central midfielders to create another line in front of the defensive line.

This line is focused on defending the centre of the field and is aligned to cover the gaps in Valencia’s backline.

Mosquera’s role [the second to last man – from right to left – in the Valencia backline] is to engage and track his marker in front whenever the player receives in between the lines but also he’s tasked in sweeping up any loose balls in his zone while also providing strong coverage to the central centre-back César Tárrega.

This campaign, he has been instrumental for Valencia, contributing to seven clean sheets so far. His defensive prowess is evident, as he averages 1.1 interceptions and 1.4 tackles per match. Remarkably, he recovers an astonishing 5.4 balls and has been dribbled past a mere 0.3 times. With 3.1 clearances per game, his impact across the defence is undeniable, mastering the art of last-ditch, timely defending.

You’ll find in this article that Mosquera is, in fact, a pleasing-on-the-eye modern-day defender due to his progressive and unique attributes in possession, but he’s also

Wide Defending/Coverage

Mosquera stands out due to his remarkable versatility and positional intelligence. He exudes confidence as he seamlessly navigates any position across the back three.

His extraordinary focus and keen sense of anticipation allow him to read the game with uncanny accuracy, often predicting threats before they materialise. Coupled with his striking physique—tall, lean, and agile—he showcases surprising quickness over short distances, making him a formidable presence on the pitch.

The Alicante-born colossus has so far won almost 70% of his ground duels, again highlighting his dominance when engaging in duels. Amongst centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, he ranks in the top eight per cent for balls recovered per 90.

As pointed out previously, he is so comfortable sitting in one of the wide centre-back roles either on the left or on the right.

Mosquera showcases an impressive versatility on the field, displaying no bias toward his dominant right foot. This means that despite being right-footed, he skillfully patrols the left side, seamlessly tracking and engaging with attackers. Whether they attempt to race past him on the outside or cut inside toward his stronger foot, he stands unfazed, ready to counter their moves.

His one-on-one defending ranks among the elite in his position. With a powerful, athletic build, Mosquera exudes an imposing presence that poses a formidable challenge for any attacker, no matter their speed or finesse.

At just 20 years old, he faces each defensive situation with a blend of confidence and authority that belies his youth. His adeptness is particularly evident in his wide defending, where he showcases both poise and precision, making him a critical asset to his team’s defensive line.

In the defensive situation below, Mosquera is faced with an opponent who thinks he can get the drop on him by bringing him over to a tight situation…

The Spaniard’s body positioning to read the danger and what comes next is excellent at first…

However, it looks like he’s engaged the situation too early. Rather than standing goal side and not allowing him room to drive the ball towards the goal, he attempts to retrieve the ball on the wrong side.

The Spaniard recovers expertly.

The attacker may have got a yard on Mosquera because of him engaging early, but the 20-year-old uses his strength, anticipation and speed of thought to get himself goal side, marshal his opponent off the ball..

… snuff out the danger and take control of the situation.

He is excellent at matching his opponents for pace, standing up to them with his lanky and striking frame before possessing the quickness of thought and anticipation to read what his opponent will do next.

But as shown above, even when a situation appears hopeless, the Spaniard demonstrates quick thinking, speed, and agility to recover and eliminate danger.

Unbreachable force in the box

Without a doubt, the most important expectation or responsibility of a centre-back is being able to safeguard the penalty area and control central positions on the pitch. Mosquera exemplifies this duty with remarkable finesse and authority.

His defensive nous is characterised by an uncanny ability to intercept passes and foreshadow the moves of opposing attackers, often positioning himself as a formidable barrier against advancing forwards.

With a keen eye for the game, he reads situations meticulously, anticipating threats and stepping in decisively to thwart them.

Mosquera’s commanding presence instils a sense of confidence in his teammates, as he consistently organises the defence while ensuring that no opposing striker can find a comfortable passage into dangerous areas.

As pointed out in this piece, Valencia are a much more dogged, organised and stout defensive unit under Carlos Corberan, with Mosquera becoming one of the focal points of their recent success under the former West Bromwich Albion coach.

The Spaniard’s frame, size, incredible physicality, aggression, and striking athleticism make him an immovable object at the heart of the Valencia defence.

Opposition attackers simply don’t like coming up against him in the box because he’s so hard to bypass. He’s a defender who loves to defend via winning his individual duels, battling up against the strongest or quickest #9s, sweeping up loose balls in front of or behind the back-line, or just simply becoming literally the last line of defence.

His impeccable timing in last-ditch tackles and clearances underscores his commitment to protecting his territory.

In the instance below, Mosquera and his defensive teammates face an attacking threat. One pass to the attacker on the Spaniard’s right shoulder and he’d be in through on goal…

It’s important to note, though, that Mosquera’s positioning in this scenario is excellent. He has a view of the play and threat before him and is aware of the threat behind him…

…because of that, he’s perfectly able to intercept the pass and get Valencia on the attack.

In the defensive scenario below, the opposing attacker looks like he’s got the run on Mosquera and looks through on goal…

…but such situations don’t seem that relatively easy and plain-sailing when the 20-year-old is around. The Spaniard is quick, agile, and confident enough to stop the attacker getting a shot on goal…

Any kind of threat being formed in the Spaniard’s vicinity, he is always there to mop it up and deal with it.

An example of his excellent last-ditch defending through blocks is shown below.

The opposing attacker (ORANGE) has all the time and space in the D outside the penalty area to line up a shot on goal…

…but look at how quick Mosquera gets out to his man to stop him having an easy route to goal. His imposing frame and size, instant anticipation and reading of the situation completely diffuses the situation.

Take a look at the next example of Mosquera’s box defending, which is just as impressive.

The Spaniard is literally Valencia’s last hope as three of his teammates have been taken out of the scenario with a piercing run into the penalty box by an onrushing attacker…

However, as he approaches the box, his line of sight on goal decreases, once again because of Mosquera’s imposing frame, athleticism, speed and defensive reading…

The attacker tries to position himself to get a shot off, but Mosquera’s is always primed and ready to engage…

… and he does, blocking the shot and completely dispelling the danger.

Critics could argue that it’s a situation which many defenders should be dealing with, but trying to anticipate what an attacker does in that moment, whilst also possessing the presence of mind and quickness to follow the speed of the situation, is incredibly difficult.

But Mosquera makes it look relatively easy.

When faced with a striker playing with his back to goal, Mosquera stays tight and uses his size, strength and defensive nous to stop that forward getting any room for manoeuvre. When faced with a dangerous low cross into his penalty area he is, nine times out of ten, always the first one to deal with the cross.

For example, looking at his positioning below (RED).

Mosquera is positioned well and has excellent body alignment. He has a clear view of the ball as well as a complete view of his marker, which allows him to anticipate their efforts to get ahead of him for a potential cross.

Such defensive and positional understanding means he is primed and ready to deal with the cross…

What about dealing with situations when running towards his own goal? Well, you probably know the outcome.

In the instance below, once again, Mosquera’s positioning here is really good. He’s aware of what’s around him.

The player with the ball has a lot of space in behind Valencia’s defence to play a through pass for his teammate on Mosquera’s left shoulder…

Mosquera’s speed, positioning, anticipation and reading are once again put to the test, but it’s a test he passes with flying colours.

He’s always in control of the situation, and that’s down to his flawless speed when covering large spaces and also the speed at which he eats ground.

If the Spaniard had dabbled in a sport beyond basketball before his football career, one would inevitably envision him sprinting in the electrifying world of athletics or track and field.

With his explosive speed, athleticism and striking frame, he could undoubtedly rival Usain Bolt, making the race a breathtaking spectacle.

In any defensive situation, Mosquera is more than capable of fulfilling his responsibilities.

At just 20 years old, having such confidence, poise and decisiveness in his defending is truly remarkable and illustrates the journey and trajectory towards greatness that Mosquera is currently on.

The Art of Recovery

Mosquera’s prowess in recovery defending is undoubtedly one of his standout features, showcasing an impressive blend of athleticism and tactical awareness.

There are moments when the Spaniard’s eagerness to thwart onrushing attackers can lead him to leap out of his defensive line, passionately striving to eliminate the threat. While this intensity demonstrates his commitment, it can sometimes leave both him and his teammates vulnerable to counterattacks, creating gaps that opponents can exploit.

However, what truly elevates a centre-back to elite status is the ability to quickly reassess and respond to dangers that arise after making a miscalculation—whether that’s his own or due to a teammate’s error.

Take, for instance, elite centre-halves like Rudiger or Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk, who embody this skill with remarkable finesse. They possess an uncanny ability to read the game, allowing them to recover seamlessly and mitigate threats, turning potential crises into manageable situations.

Mosquera, with his keen instincts, aspires to master this crucial aspect of his game, positioning himself among the top young defenders in Europe.

As mentioned previously, the Valencia academy product possesses incredible athleticism and speed; the way he eats ground when matching an attacker for pace is a phenomenal sight, utilising these attributes consistently to his advantage when eliminating threats or getting his team out of trouble.

In the below instance, the Spaniard is caught out by a long ball, hoping his teammate Dimitri Foulquier bails him out of trouble..

Foulquier fails to get rid of the ball, which squirms under him, giving the opposing attacker a chance to take advantage…

However, look at Mosquera’s recovery.

What seemed like a lost opportunity for the Spaniard to deal with the danger, he more than makes up for, rapidly eating up ground through excellent speed and agility and locking himself in a duel with the attacker…

A duel Mosquera wins with relative ease and confidence…

In another instance, against Atletico Madrid, Mosquera gets caught out of position with Antoine Griezmann, given ample time in between Valencia’s midfield and defence to exploit the gap in the last line and pick out Memphis Depay…

The Dutchman looks like he has all the time in the world to take his chance on goal, but once again, Mosquera bears down on his opponent quickly and precisely…

Instead of going for a left-foot shot, Depay tries to chop back onto his right – a skill he’s done time and time again throughout his decorated career – but Mosquera reads it brilliantly, deflecting the ball off his opponent for a goal kick.

The Spaniard is excellent at reading situations and dealing with them, but he’s also become a master at quickly rectifying individual mistakes due to his tremendous anticipation, athleticism and defensive awareness.

As of matchweek 31 in La Liga 2024/25, Mosquera recorded the most ball recoveries (180) of any player in the Spanish top-flight (ValenciaCF.com)

While many critics may insist that Mosquera must eliminate the occasional lapse in judgment—like the mistakes noted earlier, reminding us that it’s often better to prevent problems than to solve them—it’s important to recognize that these experiences will only serve to enhance the growth and development of the Los Che academy graduate.

Every error is a stepping stone on his path to becoming an even more formidable defender. Every defender makes mistakes, though, it’s almost part and parcel of the job description, just ask some of the best around, like Van Dijk or Antonio Rudiger. It’s how a defender responds in that moment to rectify them, or after the deed has been done, that defines their legacy.

Mosquera is certainly well on his way to writing his own given his stunning trajectory since his emergence on the scene, but still has a long way to go given he’s only 20 years of age.

Aerial efficiency or deficiency?

Aerial duels stand out as a significant concern in his overall performance profile, a point of worry that persists even when factoring in his age. Typically, athletes experience improvement in their aerial skills as they mature, which aligns with the natural biological progression of the human body.

During the teenage years, athletes undergo substantial physical development, and this maturation process continues well into their late 20s.

When we look at Mosquera’s aerial statistics, the situation becomes even more troubling. He consistently ranks among the lowest in the category of aerial duels won per 90 minutes across Europe’s top five leagues, placing him in the bottom six percentile among his positional counterparts.

This statistic is particularly perplexing, especially considering his impressive physique and athletic build. He possesses a long, rangy frame that suggests he should excel in aerial contests. Additionally, he demonstrates remarkable leaping ability for someone of his stature, often appearing poised in the air. Despite these physical advantages, he tends to be more effective at making crucial connections while defending against early crosses, ensuring he often gets the first touch.

As previously noted, his ability to read the game is already highly developed, showcasing an understanding of positioning and timing that belies his youth. His jumping prowess inspires confidence that he should be a strong contender in aerial situations.

Despite the current statistics falling short of expectations, it is important to remember that at just 20 years old, Mosquera has ample time to refine his skills. With continued development, he will likely rank among the elite in aerial defending, transforming potential into consistent performance.

Ball-progression/passing

In the modern game, the role of the centre-back has evolved dramatically. These defenders are now not just stalwarts of the backline; they are pivotal playmakers who initiate attacks from deep within their own half. The expectation is to exhibit exceptional passing abilities, allowing them to seamlessly transition from defence to offence.

In addition to technical prowess, modern centre-backs must possess keen tactical awareness, demonstrating the ability to read the game and make split-second decisions, even under immense pressure when their team is building from the back. They must exhibit keen confidence on the ball, composure and good pass selection to seamlessly get their team into the attacking phase of play.

Valencia are not known for being one of the possession-focused teams in La Liga, and they rank among the lowest in terms of time spent on the ball as a collective unit. Therefore, evaluating Mosquera’s passing ability may not provide a complete picture.

However, according to the statistics, the Spaniard is a safe, low-risk passer. He ranks in the 44th percentile among centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive passes per 90 minutes, indicating he falls into the lower bracket for this particular attribute. There is a case to argue that the system deployed at Valencia may be the cause for him not being as progressive as he should be.

Once he makes the move to an elite side in the near future, those progressive attributes may be exerted with much more confidence and comfort.

Nonetheless, Mosquera excels in pass completion percentage, ranking in the top 15% with a remarkable completion rate of 90.9% over the past year.

Just because Mosquera may not exert as many proactive qualities in his passing at Valencia, given his deceptive technical acumen, doesn’t mean he isn’t a progressive outlet.

The Spaniard is proactive through other means and arguably the rarest attribute for a centre-back, his dribbling/ball-carrying.

If the situation presents itself, the 20-year-old possesses the presence of mind, athleticism and excellent ball control to travel with the ball at his feet to force his team up the pitch or evade a tight situation.

Like the instance below…

Mosquera, playing for the Spanish under-21s, has the ball deep in his own half with an onrushing attacker attempting to press him and force a mistake.

The Spaniard can’t pass to his teammate alongside him as he is also being pressed. He may have to switch it across to find a teammate in space…

Instead, Mosquera does exceptionally well to con and evade his marker with excellent body deception and movement…

…opening up a passing lane to find his teammate in midfield, aiding ball progression by working around the opponent’s press…

In another similar instance, Mosquera holds the ball in a pressurised situation..

…but has no problem bypassing his opponent, showing him one way before shifting the ball quickly the opposite way and driving forward…

The Spaniard then has to pick his pass right, but isn’t given the best of options to aid progression, with his teammates all bunched up in the same vicinity, but it’s no problem…

He drives forward a few yards more…

…before picking out his attacking teammate in a bit of space to build an attacking scenario.

Mosquera’s dribble take-on success rate stands at 63%, which is a very decent mark for a centre-back ranking in the 69th percentile, showing he is more selective when he dribbles the ball out with his feet, choosing to take players on and carry the ball when it is most opportune.

Again, the above instances are only too small a sample size to fully judge Mosquera on, but it’s a small indication that he holds all the attributes to be a top-level progressive centre-back, capable of getting the ball forward quickly through quick thinking and incisive decisions once being pressed.

Future Mosquera Forecast

In a matter of two seasons, Cristhian Mosquera has already established himself as one of the best defenders in La Liga.

Boasting a formidable physique, exhilarating athleticism, and lightning-fast speed, Mosquera is an immovable force at the heart of defence. His remarkable physical strength and astute defensive awareness set him apart as the quintessential modern-day centre back.

It’s no wonder that he is frequently compared to the likes of Antonio Rudiger from Real Madrid, as both share an impressive ability to dominate their opponents and command the defensive line with authority.

And the way his current trajectory is heading right now, it won’t be a surprise to see the Spaniard surpass the former Chelsea man.

At 20 years old, he’s already got some of Europe’s biggest names tracking his progress at the Mestalla Stadium, including AC Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and FC Bayern Munich (Sky Sports journo Florian Plettenberg).

Judging by the way he’s excelling so far, especially under Carlos Corberan’s management, he’d certainly fit right in at any of those clubs.

When considering the potential of a young talent like Mosquera to integrate into elite football clubs, it’s essential to analyse the tactical frameworks employed by these teams.

Each club’s style of play, formation, and player roles can significantly influence whether Mosquera can flourish in that environment.

A club like Bayern Munich is certainly more progressive and positional focused than the others, but the Spanish youngster has shown he can fulfil the role of a progressive centre-back. At a club like Atletico Madrid, where Diego Simeone expects his CBs to dominate their box, be physical up against the markers, and defend at all costs more than a progressive outlet, Mosquera certainly fits the bill.

Whatever role you want Mosquera to fill, he’d have no problems acclimatising himself.

In a back three as a wide-centre-back or a central one or as one of the two centre-backs in a back four, the Spaniard is incredibly versatile and adaptable, making him one of the most attractive options in the market for any potential suitor.

He will certainly need to continue to make giant strides in his passing and aerial duels, but there is reason to believe all three areas will improve as his play evolves. 

It won’t be long before we see this incredibly gifted young talent playing at the highest levels, both at club and on the international stage. When coming through Valencia’s academy, that’s certainly the expectation for its young academy products, as seen throughout the club’s decorated history.

Mosquera is up next and ready to take that giant step towards the elites.

Yeremi Pino 2021/22 – Scout Report

Yeremi Pino 2021/22 – Scout Report

The future of Spanish football is looking spectacularly bright and in very good hands.

While all the talk and praise have been heaped on the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Oyarzabal, Olmo and Ferran Torres, all of whom have received first and regular call-ups to the Spanish squad under Luis Enrique and have become key figures for their clubs, there is yet another prestigious and flawless young talent quietly going about his business, slightly under the radar, and that young star is Villarreal’s Yeremi Pino.

After his four-goal haul against Espanyol at the weekend, Pino became the first player to score four goals in a La Liga game since Lionel Messi two years ago. He also became the youngest-ever player to score a first half hat-trick in the Spanish top-flight.

The record-breaking doesn’t stop there, Pino is also the youngest player to score a La Liga brace for Villarreal at the age of 19 years and 130 days.

The teenage Spanish international completed a perfect hat-trick in the first half — left foot, right foot, header — and added his fourth after the break in an emphatic 5-1 win over Espanyol.

The 19-year-old has earned rave reviews since his breakthrough in the Villarreal first team, and also became the first teenager to start a Europa League final, and win the competition as the ‘Yellow Submarine’ triumphed over Manchester United on penalties last season.

Pino has enjoyed yet another tremendous breakthrough campaign for Villarreal, and even made his Champions League debut for the club playing against the likes of Manchester United, and Atalanta. His four goal haul against Espanyol took his overally tally for the season to seven goals and four assists in 23 starts.

So who is Yeremi Pino?

Born and raised in Las Palmas, Canary Islands. Pino joined UD Las Palmas’ youth setup in 2014, after representing outfits AD Huracán and Barrio Atlántico CF.

In June 2017, Pino was offered the chance to join Barcelona, a dream move for many young academy products across the country, but interestingly turned down the move and chose to join Villarreal instead.

He made his debut with the C-team in August 2019, coming on as a second-half substitute for Fer Niño and scoring the third goal in a 3-0 victory over CF Recambios Colón in the Tercera División. After finishing his first senior season with three goals in 20 appearances for the Villarreal C-team, he was promoted to the reserves in Segunda División B. A seamless and impressive transition.

It wasn’t long before Pino impressed and caught the eye of the Villarreal coaches in the first team. After spending the pre-season with the first team under Unai Emery, Pino made his professional debut on 22 October 2020, replacing Francis Coquelin in a 5–3 UEFA Europa League win over Sivasspor. He made his La Liga debut three days later, again from the bench in a 0–0 draw at Cádiz CF.

Pino bagged his first professional goal for the club in October 2020, netting the equalizer in a 3–1 away success over Qarabağ FK in the UEFA Europa League. On 12 November that year, he renewed his contract at the club until 2024, with many believing he’d go on to become a leading player for Villarreal in the near future.

In May 2021, Pino was rewarded for his stunning performances, with Emery entrusting him to start the 2021 UEFA Europa League Final against Manchester United, becoming the youngest Spanish player to start a major European final, aged 18 years and 218 days, breaking the previous record of Iker Casillas in the 2000 UEFA Champions League Final, aged 19 years and 4 days. 

He also became the youngest player to win the competition, eclipsing the record set by Robin van Persie in the 2002 UEFA Cup Final.

The 19-year-old has represented his country Spain across all levels, even captaining the under-18s. Due to the isolation of some national team players following the positive COVID-19 test of Sergio Busquets, Spain’s under-21 squad were called up for the international friendly against Lithuania on 8 June 2021, in which Pino featured.

Since then, Pino has gone on to make two appearances so far for Luis Enrique’s talented side, making his senior debut for the senior side on October 2021 in the Nations League semi-final against Italy.

What’s so good about Yeremi Pino?

Standing at just 1.72 metres (5ft8in) and 63kg, Pino is a small winger with flair, pace, trickery and a low centre of gravity. Even though he is a right-footer and prefers to be deployed as an inside winger, the 18-year-old can play on both sides of the pitch, showcasing a lot of versatility despite his tender age.

He’s also been deployed up front in a 4-4-2 system also, but prefers being deployed out wide where he can showcase his 1v1 abilities, make the most of space out wide and assist his teammates.

Pino’s main strengths include pace, dribbling and high technical abilities, an eye for a goal, acceleration, agility and, perhaps the most surprising of them all, genuine defensive discipline and work rate as shown through his performance against Manchester United in the Europa League final, tasked in keeping his defensive shape and halting Luke Shaw’s threat on his flank whilst also providing a telling threat on the counter.

Throughout the past year, Pino’s influence and importance to Emery’s organised and compact system has grown. He’s started 17 of his 25 La Liga outings, compared to just starting 6 out of 24 appearances. Whilst he recorded impressive stats in terms of his dribbling and ball-carrying per90 last season, 51.2% dribbles success rate, 2.36 successful dribbles per90, and 7.30 progressive carries per90, his numbers have dropped considerably this season, but that may not be any fault of his own but down to Villarreal’s inconsistencies for large parts of the campaign.

However, that hasn’t stopped him becoming an influence when he is on the field. What is impressive, is his finishing as despite not tallying too many shots per 90 minutes (1.45), the 11th most out of the whole squad and the least out of Unai Emery’s attacking weaponry. Though, Pino is extremely accurate and lethal, even currently outperforming his expected goals (xG) value of 5.4, with 6 goals so far in La Liga. His shots on target % of 54.5 is the 6th best in the Spanish top-flight. He’s also outperforming his expected assists (xA) value of the same figure, with 4.

Without a doubt, one of Pino’s greatest weapons in his arsenal is his dribbling. In the 2020/21 campaign and across all competitions, he registered 6.59 dribbles per 90 minutes with a 60.4% success rate, rating him as one of the more efficient dribblers in La Liga. As stated previously, that figure has dropped this season, but it’s no fault of his own, or to say his abilities and influence are decreasing.

He still attempts 3.36 dribbles per 90 with a success rate of 45%, but more interestingly, through those numbers, his influence is actually increasing. He’s so far averaging 2.64 shot creating actions per 90 (meaning the two offensive leading to a shot or goal including live-ball passes, dead-ball passes, successful dribbles, shots which lead to another shot, and being fouled), which is an improvement of his 2.60 for last season, and Pino is also averaging and considerably topping his goal-creating actions figure (0.66) – the eighth best in the division – from last season (0.23).

Yeremi Pino’s heat-map this season

As shown through the above heatmap, Pino has been regularly deployed as right-winger for Unai Emery this season, and that’s where we regularly see the best of him.

Pino can effectively dribble from the halfway line onward but is most effective when entering the final third. Interestingly enough, as a true inverted winger, he will cut inside as he gets closer to the box and this is usually where he’ll try to beat his man to create the biggest advantage for himself.

It’s vital to note, that Unai Emery’s system ensures that the winger is isolated with his marker in large and open spaces, which always benefits him rather than the defender. We’ve seen how effective this is through the consistent performances of new signing Arnaut Danjuma, but Pino is also following suit. In these areas Pino can use his incredible acceleration and pace to cover a lot of ground, carrying the ball at his feet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2Gjf39pPJ4

After that, he engages in and wins the duel against his marker, finishing the action with a brilliantly executed shot or an action that ultimately leads to a chance for his teammates. While he is certainly not a volume shooter since he’s only registered a total of 21 shots so far in 2021/22, his shot selection is great and the youngster has a keen eye for goal.

Considering he has scored six La Liga goals from a 5.54 xG, we can conclude his finishing has been at the required level. After all, 54.5% of his shots have ended up on target, which is impressive despite a lower overall volume.

All of his goals this season and last have come from a very similar position inside the 18-yard-box. This comes as a direct result of his marauding runs and dribbles, both of which we’ve already concluded originate around that same area. Against Espanyol at the weekend though, Pino showcased his incredible potency scoring from 4 of his 5 shots in an around the penalty area.

His fourth and final goal, arguably the pick of the lot, latching onto a through ball from Arnaut Danjuma before instinctively and skillfully knocking the ball past Diego Lopez in the Espanyol goal, and slotting home. A goal truly encompassing Pino’s sharp trickery, audacity and stunning courageousness when faced with pressured situations.

Passing might not be among Pino’s greatest weapons but when combined with some of his other traits, it makes for a deadly tool at his disposal. He is becoming a player skilful at setting his teammates up as much as finishing the actions himself. Of course, we shouldn’t forget that with only 27.8 passes per 90 minutes, he is not a volume passer and in general, can still be risk-averse in most situations. Pino’s passing can be safe but is also used in lay-offs and quick combinations out on the flanks, showing that he always wants to be on the move, which means his passing isn’t going to be one of his strongest suits.

Overall, with an 79.1% pass success rate, we can say that he’s fairly confident in possession and won’t give away the ball carelessly that often, which speaks volumes about any young, flair winger such as himself. Usually, this is exactly what young players struggle with the most but Pino seems to be mature on the ball, especially for his age. He isn’t afraid of the risky passes either, and it can be devastating when it derives from a mazy dribble and into an area where he can hurt opposition defences.

His 1.18 key passes per 90 so far this season is an improvement on his 0.90 figure from all of last season.

Finally, we’ll will finish with a quick overview of Pino’s contribution to Villarreal’s defensive tactics. In general, Emery’s men are a team that fluctuates between a high press and a mid-block and the youngster is a hard worker in both systems. On average, he engages in 26.08 duels per 90 with a success rate of 47.8%.

The youngster won’t always press as high and be successful at it but tracking back and maintaining the team’s structure is certainly a part of his repertoire. Of course, his success rate will vary from game to game but with almost 50% of his duels being successful on average, we can conclude that he plays a big part in ensuring the flank is not breached.

But when and if he’s asked to press high, Pino will gladly do it and will generally stick well to his man once the second line of press is activated. Emery has him either as part of the front two in a 4-4-2 or as part of the second line in the wider areas. In any case, with 2.89 tackles + interceptions per 90 minutes, he won 7 out of his 10 defensive duels against Espanyol, so there’s an argument to be made about Pino’s tremendous and admirable work rate.

He is a willing runner and defender when asked to but when given the freedom to express himself in attacking areas, he’s a player who certainly won’t shy away from performing the extraordinary.

Forecasting the Future

At 19-years of age, Yeremi Pino is an incredible young talent. The future certainly seems bright.

Pino has proven a blessing for Unai Emery and Villarreal because he does everything asked of him. Give him an in-game task, and he won’t deviate from it. He’s a willing learner, so mature for his age but also a player not shy to express himself on the pitch.

There’s no telling where his long-term future lies but it will certainly be at Villarreal after signing a new deal at the Estadio de la Cerámica, taking him to 2027. The Yellow Submarine will provide him with the perfect platform to grow, learn, develop and maybe become one of the club’s most prestigious every players in the coming future.

Let’s not forget, he could be a key figure not just for his club, but for the Spanish national team also along with the likes of Pedri, Gavi, Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres. Yeremi Pino is certainly amongst that prestigious list of flawless young Spanish talents.

FC Barcelona – Match Report vs Sevilla (21-12-2021)

FC Barcelona – Match Report vs Sevilla (21-12-2021)

A very much depleted but excitingly youthful exuberant Barcelona continued their steady progress under new boss Xavi as they took on Sevilla on Matchday eighteen of the Spanish La Liga, a game which finished 1-1. The Catalan giants lined up in their customary 4-3-3 setup with Xavi favouring a more aggressive, direct and combative approach to their setup in recent seasons. Despite the experience in the Sevilla XI, Xavi’s wonderkids impressively matched a resurgent Sevilla side both with and without the ball.

Barcelona recorded 23 shots (7 shots on target) in comparison to Sevilla’s 5 (one shot on target) highlighting their superiority for the majority of the game despite missing a number of key individuals.

Ratings:

  • A1 – Very good, could play higher
  • A2 – Strong potential to play higher
  • B1 – Good, strong player at level
  • B2 – Potential to be strong player at level
  • C – Average for the level, re-watch
  • D – Below average in this match

Gavi

Player profile:

  • Nationality: Spanish
  • Age: 17
  • Date of birth: 05/08/2004
  • Current club: FC Barcelona
  • Career: FC Barcelona
  • Position: Central-Midfielder
  • Preferred foot: Right

There really is no ends to the talents abilities of Barcelona’s prestigious and flawless young midfielder Gavi. The 17-year-old has made the most of all the opportunities he has been given so far this season at Barcelona, and he has gradually become a world-class prodigy.

Just days after scoring a terrific solo goal, recording an impressive assist and putting in yet another show-stopping performance in the 3-2 win over Elche on matchday seventeen, Gavi yet again showed why he is one of Europe’s most decorated young midfield talents battling it out with the likes of Sevilla’s Joan Jordán and Ivan Rakitic and never looking out of place. Lining up alongside Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong within Barcelona’s midfield trident, Gavi continued his stark progression under the tutelage of Xavi.

Despite scoring a rating of 6.89 according to WhoScored, the Spaniard was so efficient in his pressing, harrying and tackling showcasing his impressive combative abilities, whilst also becoming so effective and influential when in possession of the ball. The 17-year-old was central to Barcelona’s attacking play, and the main source of Xavi’s men overpowering Sevilla in the midfield areas.

The La Masia wonderkid recorded 48 touches of the ball with a passing accuracy of just 68%, the lowest amongst Barcelona players who started the game, though its an indication as to the risk-free nature and freedom Xavi has offered him. He recorded 4 dribbles, 2 shots, 2 tackles, an interception and conceded two fouls. Gavi even should have been on the scoresheet had he headed in Abde’s fine cross in the closing minutes of the game, but instead misjudged the flight of the ball and headed wide.

Gavi looked so assured on the ball, and its why he has played the most passes into the final third than any other teenager in Europe’s top five leagues so far this season, a damning statistic considering this is only his first season tasting first team football.

Rating – A2

Abde Ezzalzouli

Player profile:

  • Nationality: Moroccan
  • Age: 20
  • Date of birth: 17/12/2001
  • Current club: FC Barcelona
  • Career: Hércules CF, FC Barcelona
  • Position: Winger
  • Preferred foot: Right

Another young talent Xavi is placing tremendous faith in is Moroccan winger Abde Ezzalzouli, and is repaying it handsomely with his raw abilities and unpredictability that is providing Barcelona with the spark they so desperately need in attack.

Lining up on the left-flank against Sevilla, with Ousmane Dembele lining up on the right, Abde yet again produced an influential display in attack for Barcelona. An element of Xavi’s preferred style of play is his strong use of wingers staying high and wide in order to stretch and widen the pitch as much as possible. It’s vital to remember that Xavi introduced Abde into his setup because of Barcelona’s lack of wide-forwards in the squad, but the young winger has answered all those issues with such consummate grace.

The Moroccan is a real threat when he is on song, as Sevilla found out on Tuesday night. Whenever the 20-year-old picked up possession, he always looked to get past his man. He produced a superb skill against Lucas Ocampos in the second-half that truly highlighted his unpredictability, pace, and raw dribbling skills.

Like Gavi, the forward was flawless without the ball pushing and pressing high whenever Sevilla tried to build from the back. Abde was rewarded with a WhoScored rating of 7.47, and rightly so. Everything good about Barcelona came through the Moroccan. Abde successfully completed 2 dribbles, 2 key passes, recorded 56 touches, produced seven total tackles, conceding four fouls and was even booked for his over-exuberance in the second-half.

However, Xavi will have again been pleased with Abde’s performance, whenever he needed to drop back and defend the space in front of Jordi Alba, he did, diffusing the threat of Lucas Ocampos but also pinning back Jules Kounde who filled in at right-back.

Rating – A1

The Moroccan could have ended the game with a goal and assist on another day, but can once again be proud of the impressive progress he is making in his maiden season as a Barcelona first team player.

Ronald Araújo

Player profile:

  • Nationality: Uruguayan
  • Age: 22
  • Date of birth: 07/03/1999
  • Current club: FC Barcelona
  • Career: Rentistas, Boston River, FC Barcelona
  • Position: Centre-Back, Right-Back
  • Preferred foot: Right

Ronald Araújo is fast becoming a one of Xavi’s most reliable and improved players under his stewardship, and so it proved against Sevilla, scoring the all-important equaliser. Traditionally a centre-back, but lining up in Seville at right-back once again, Araújo was solid and assured in defence.

Agile, swift, powerful, combative and a defender with such growing character and leadership in the Barca back-line, the 22-year-old has arguably been Barcelona’s player of the season so far. The Uruguayan’s reading of the game against Sevilla was brilliant, stepping out and engaging his opponents but also providing width on the right-flank whenever Ousmane Dembele operated in the half-spaces.

Araujo’s attacking instincts have proven as effective as he is in defence, and so it proved through his towering header to give Barcelona the equaliser. Rising head and shoulders above Fernando in the penalty area to head home Dembele’s in-swinging corner. Despite not playing in his natural position at centre-back, Araujo has filled in well at right-back keeping both Sergino Dest and Segio Roberto on the sidelines. He was named man of the match against Sevilla, continuing his fine progression and maturity under Xavi.

Araújo will of course be disappointed with the way Sevilla opened the scoring as the Barcelona defence were easily caught out from a smart corner routine which Papu Gomez dispatched superbly, but the blame won’t be placed solely on his shoulders as he more than made up for it in his all-round game on the night.

Rating – A2

65 touches, 3 aerial duels won owing to his impressive presence and abilities in the air, 1 key pass, 45 attempted passes and 2 interceptions with a final rating of 7.90, Araújo is steadily becoming a key individual in Barcelona’s first XI.

Vinicius Jr the Young Star Real Madrid Can Now Rely On

Vinicius Jr the Young Star Real Madrid Can Now Rely On

It was exactly over a year ago – at half-time in Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League group-stage tie against German outfit Borussia Mochengladbach – that Karim Benzema complained to teammate and French counterpart Ferland Mendy and instructed him not to pass to Brazilian Vinicius Jr as a result of the youngster’s greed and immaturity in the final third.

As ruthless and as rude as it was for Benzema to behave in such a way, the incident reflected the difficulties and struggles Vinicius Jr endured at this period in his Real Madrid career.

Certainly, he’s young, showing levels of immaturity at such a level, over-exuberant at times but it was expected especially in the context of where he came from, the branch offices of Flamengo, in the neighborhood of Mutuá, in São Gonçalo.

An area where he was taught to showboat, to express himself and to become the best trickster no matter if it came at the cost of his own team.

When Vinícius Júnior joined Real Madrid, he had it all. Well, almost. His all-round game was exciting. Dribbling second to none. Pace better than any of his opponents. Skill-set unmatched. No-one could keep up with him.

That’s who we was, a flamboyant footballer who always tried the audacious tricks, shots and pieces of skill not knowing how it could affect his teammates around him, and you’d be sure a player as experienced and decorated as Benzema is, he’d understand the nature of such a footballer seeing as he grew up in similar circumstances in France.

But when you’re as celebrated and successful as Benzema is, you expect the players around you to be hold similar mindsets and a winning mentality and it was evidently clear Vinicius Jr didn’t, which was no fault of his own.

It’s as if every time the Brazilian got to the final third, he’d slip up, either by shooting wayward when a pass to a fellow teammate would have sufficed or his over-exuberance getting the better of him attempting one or two tricks too many.

It was a recurring theme in Vinicius’ game, proving a tough cycle for him to grow out of.

But, things are much different now, fast forward a year and a month or so, you’d be delighted at the growth and maturity that the former Flamengo wing-wizard is currently performing at.

Under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, the change in his game has been magnificent, spellbinding, fearless, you name it. Vinicius Jr is a different animal and Karim Benzema now cannot get enough of him.

With ten goals and five assists in 17 appearances in all competitions, Vinicius has already surpassed his best goals and assists tally in just 17 games, only a third of the number of appearances he made in the 2020/21 season with Zinedine Zidane.

(Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

In truth, the turnaround and maturity in his decision-making and all-round game has been nothing short of phenomenal. In 2020/21, he underperformed xG by a remarkable 3.82. For context, that’s twice as bad as anyone else in the Real Madrid squad. In 2021/22, he’s overperforming by 2.04 xG, a figure more than twice as good as anyone else, excluding Karim Benzema.

Benzema-dependencia, as the Spanish media like to call Real Madrid’s reliance on Karim Benzema for goals, well that phrase has been thrown out the window as a result of Vinicius Jr’s sudden purple patch. Now, Karim Benzema who didn’t approve of the Brazilian over a year ago, simply cannot perform without him.

While its a testament and credit to the 21-year-old, the credit must also be given to Carlo Ancelotti who has totally unleashed the Brazilian with undying belief and faith in his abilities.

This is what the Real Madrid faithful had been waiting for all along, even more so, president Florentino Perez who initially desired Neymar to fulfil his galactico-type gratification but instead had to make do with Vinicius Jr.

Vinícius scored five in La Liga’s opening five games. By matchday six, he’d already been involved in eight goals and was stepping up as one of LaLiga’s most influential players, while also racking up six goal involvements in four Champions League appearances.

Injuries have played their part. Rodrygo Goes, Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale have all struggled with fitness, while Vinícius has shone on the field while staying fit. While all three have had long-term issues, Vini has only missed one game since May 2019, but his improvements have gone far beyond just keeping fit.

“I think Vinícius has a lot of quality in one-on-ones,” the Italian coach said after the 21-year-old single-handedly tore apart Alavés. “I’ve told him that to score goals he has to take one or two touches, it’s difficult to score with four or five touches. He’s a very young player, he’s going to improve.”

It’s become a common theme so far this season; the Brazilian wing-wizard tormenting defences and tearing apart opposition defenders with peerless pieces of skill, but all of that is down to the confidence rewarded to him from players like Benzema, but more importantly the extra training sessions and his ability to heed to the advice given to him by his coaches.

Vinicius is no longer that naïve, overconfident and inexperienced raw talent that arrived through the Real Madrid doors in 2018. He’s now more an assured, mature and decorated performer, still possessing bags of potential to become even greater and that spells such great news for Real Madrid, a healthy return on their risky investment.

Vinicius has shown this season whatever the situation, he can and will create – whether it be scoring or assisting, he is quickly becoming a central protagonist within Carlo Ancelotti’s side.

Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Real lacked a character that was the focal point, a player who constantly threatened the opposition, and a target for opposition supporters. For all the brilliance of Benzema, the Frenchman is in actual fact universally loved and respected for his more silent and respectful demeanor.

Many thought it’d be Eden Hazard when he arrived from Chelsea, but his move hasn’t quite worked out because of injuries and lack of fitness. Gareth Bale was supposed to be the chosen one after Ronaldo left, but fans haven’t still taken quite a liking to him.

Vinicius looks the perfect candidate, he thrives in the chaos he creates, he’s comfortable with the attention he is garnering. The Brazilian is willing to stand up and wave the flag for the club, whether it be at the Mestalla, Wanda Metropolitano or Camp Nou.

The Clàsico earlier this season proved the perfect example of the mentality monster Vinicius has become. In enemy territory, in the face of much abuse, booing and jeering, he proved all-throughout to be a thorn in Barcelona’s side.

The Brazilian destroyed Barca’s right-hand flank, so much so that former boss Ronald Koeman withdrew Oscar Mingueza at halftime as a result. He may not have registered a goal or an assist, but it was clear throughout his time on the pitch, Vinicius was at the centre of Real’s attacks – a constant outlet and his teammates thrived off it.

Against Granada over the weekend, Vinicius stepped up when Real needed him most. Los Blancos were seemingly unsettled by the hosts, struggling to create and break through their stubborn backline. After the half-time break, it was Vinicius who proved the decisive contributor once again.

He played a part in a move which he finished off, within ten minutes of that, he had forced Monchu to desperately lunge at him after the Brazilian left him in his wake. The Granada midfielder was correctly sent off as a result as Vinicius lay on the turf, a smile on his face winning the battle and making his contribution toward winning the war.

All of that came just seconds after the Brazilian completed mazy jinking run ghosting past a hatful of Granada defenders, and fouling him in such a manner is now the only way defenders can stop him, yet the Brazilian would always finish the game having the last laugh.

The Brazilian finished the Granada match with a goal, 61 touches, a key pass, five dribbles, 3 shots on target with a WhoScored rating 8.58. Those stats only merely scratch the surface when analysing the kind of influence he is having on his teammates.

Amongst players in La Liga, Vinicius Jr ranks first for progressive distance carried per 90 (250.9), first for progressive carries (13.3), first for carries into the final third (3.67) and first for carries into the penalty area (3.94) highlighting his amazing dribbling efficiency but also incredible knack of taking on the responsibility in driving Real Madrid up the pitch.

He ranks second for goal-creating actions (9) and third for shot-creating actions (62) once again showing that he is being trusted with leading Real Madrid’s attacks and the growing responsibilities afforded to him.

This season, Vinícius is more incisive and clinical, no longer doubting, hesitating or waiting for that split second. While in both 2019/20 and 2020/21 he made an average of 1.2 shots per 90 minutes, the number has risen to 2.8 per 90 in 2021/22. Much of that is down purely to confidence and a greater sense of urgency in Real Madrid’s all-round play.

Vinicius Jr has certainly grown and matured into one of Europe’s most complete performers right now, and that is showing through his performances but also more importantly his goal returns have taken a huge boost and that’s a credit to him recognizing the areas in which to improve on in the final third, and its now reaping its just rewards.

The question is now, can he translate this sort of form on a consistent basis for years to come or will it drown out like so many of other young talents before him? That’s for him to decide, but the ball is totally in his flawlessly talented court.

Those previous doubts surrounding Vinicius’ naivety and recklessness in the attacking areas are fading away. There can be little doubt over his raw talent. His passion and abilities is almost trademark Brazilian, and his drive is unrivalled in the modern game. His technical ability is magnificent, and he now appears to have the finishing skills to match. He’s proven that he’s more than a young winger with flair, he’s a man who can make a difference and win a game on his own.

Real Madrid have always possessed a talent capable of taking games by the scruff of the neck, and Vinicius Jr is now the latest in a very long line of decorated and pure footballing talents. Long may his stunning form continue.

Arnaut Danjuma proving a key figure for Villarreal

Arnaut Danjuma proving a key figure for Villarreal

When Arnaut Danjuma joined Villarreal from AFC Bournemouth last summer for €25m, little did we know he’d make such a telling impact in Unai Emery’s progressive side so soon.

A few months into his Spanish top-flight career and the recently-made Netherlands international is a man of fire, and one of La Liga’s blossoming individuals so far this season.

After hitting 17 goals and 7 assists in the Sky Bet Championship last season, the former Club Brugge forward was always destined for bigger and better things but many thought he’d make that step up in the Barclays Premier League rather than beyond borders.

With several clubs interested in his services last summer, it was Villarreal who took a punt on his flawless abilities, and its safe to say the 24-year-old hasn’t looked back.

He did state recently, he felt he was too good for the Championship and he needed to get out, and after his first few months under Unai Emery’s tutelage, Arnaut Groeneveld Danjuma’s has supremely backed up his lofty statement with some show-stopping, electric and superb performances for the Yellow Submarines.

14 appearances, 7 goals (5 in La Liga), and 3 assists Danjuma has certainly showed he is good enough and ready to cut it amongst the most elite footballers in Europe. The slippery Dutchman has gone from the Championship to the Champions League without batting an eyelid at the transition.

Danjuma’s trajectory over the past year has been nothing short of sensational, and already he is showing his talents on the most prestigious of footballing stages in the UEFA Champions League. If you need any pieces of evidence as to how good he is, not only that, but how invaluable he’s become to Unai Emery’s side in short space of time, check out his performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

It was simply jaw-dropping.

The forward was the most electric player on the Old Trafford pitch, despite sharing it with five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Jason Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and other stars.

The former Bournemouth man had United full-back and Portuguese international Diogo Dalot on toast, cutting through him with such expert but thrilling ease. Solskjaer’s defence simply could not handle his pace, acceleration, unerring trickery and swift close-control and deceptive movement. He finished the game with an assist to his name, but also four shots, 2 key passes, 3 dribbles and with a WhoScored rating of 7.42.

There’s no doubt about it, Danjuma is amongst the most devastating forwards in Europe right now.

Danjuma’s instant impact in Spain has surprised many, but probably not coach Unai Emery, who asked club president Fernando Roig to sign the winger this summer.

The former Arsenal manager must have made a strong case because Villarreal splashed out €25 million (£21m) on the Bournemouth man – a large transfer fee by recent Spanish standards.

While giants Real Madrid and Barcelona picked up David Alaba and Memphis Depay on free transfers, Villarreal made Danjuma the second-most expensive signing in their history, behind Paco Alcacer.

Danjuma may have been one of La Liga’s most expensive transfers this summer, but is currently proving he’s worth every penny spent. The Europa League winners were looking for a player who could help them jump forward to the next level tactically and in attack and Danjuma is keeping his part of the bargain.

Unai Emery’s men are clearly more efficient, potent and exciting on the attack and much of that is down to Danjuma’s unpredictable nature on the left-flank.

The Dutchman is one of La Liga’s most aggressive and destructive dribblers in La Liga, averaging 2.4 dribbles per game so far this campaign, per 90 he completes on average almost 2 dribbles per game, 7.76 progressive carries, 1.34 carries into the final third and an outstanding 3.43 carries into the 18-yard box showcasing just how vital he is to Villarreal’s attacking phases of play.

Danjuma also averages 9.30 touches in the opposition’s penalty box, again highlighting that he is arguably La Liga’s most effective wingers alongside the rejuvenated Real Madrid Brazillian superstar Vinicius Jr. His non-penalty XG of 0.66 is in the 99th percentile amongst Europe’s top-five leagues making him one of the most efficient scorers so far on the continent.

The 24-year-old has certainly shown up for Emery so far this season, he netted in the thrilling 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano – a stadium he knows well from his Club Brugge days – lashing past Jan Oblak in a 2-2 draw for his first goal for the club.

Clinically netting in a 2-2 draw with Atalanta in Villarreal’s Champions League opener, he was also a livewire against Elche in a 4-1 win, bursting through the defence and scoring after an hour, and also put in a brilliant showing at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid.

That was followed by two more in the 2-0 win over Real Betis, the first coming after he cut inside from the left and cleverly slipped the ball back inside the near post. He rounded the goalkeeper for his second, showing poise and good judgement. He again came to his side’s rescue against forcing a late leveller in the closing minutes against Cadiz in a 3-3 draw.

His tremendous form so far this season earned him a late Netherlands call up under Louis van Gaal in October, and the winger duly delivered.

“Can anyone stop Danjuma?” asked Spanish newspaper Marca after he dazzled from the bench in a 6-0 win for the Netherlands against Gibraltar.

The coach called him spectacular and pointed out that his team-mates still have to adapt to his explosive balls across the face of goal. 

“He had very nice and impressive dribbles, but his team-mates were not yet geared to his hard crosses,” said Van Gaal.

With time, things will only get better in that aspect, but its clear that Danjuma has given both Louis Van Gaal and Unai Emery reasons to stand up and take notice at his incredible gifts.

His Villarreal team-mates have already given him the nickname ‘Danjumagic’, although the player humbly credits his coach for his superb start in Spain.

“I need to give a massive thanks to Unai Emery,” he told Villarreal’s website. “The coach is very busy (working) with me and he really helps me perform.”

The 24-year-old has proven the star of the show at the Estadio de la Cerámica, but has most of all proven that he can be amongst the best forwards in Europe after the tremendous campaign he enjoyed last year in the English second-division. Arnaut Danjuma was always primed for much more, and he has his sights set on much bigger things which may cause some worry amongst the Villarreal fanbase.

“I came to Villarreal to prove myself again but I’m definitely visualising the next step,” he told Mail Online in September.

It’s no surprise that the forward is already drawing interest from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool with the former Borussia Dortmund coach reportedly sending scouts to watch Danjuma in action, who knows, the flying Dutchman may well be Sadio Mane’s heir on that left-flank at Anfield, and he’s certainly good enough to take over the role.

Danjuma is serious joy to watch in action with his blindingly quick feet, deceptive body movement and jaw-dropping trickery so it won’t only be Liverpool scouring for his services in the near future. Villarreal have already taken kindly to the 24-year-old wing wizard, and they should enjoy his magic while it lasts because the sky really is the limit for such a truly decorated footballer.

Ferran Torres 2019/20 – Scout Report

Ferran Torres 2019/20 – Scout Report

Valencia winger Ferran Torres is attracting interest from a whole host of top European clubs heading to the summer transfer window. Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus are all reportedly touting for his services.

Torres currently holds a contract at the Mestalla until 2021, with a reported release clause of around £92million. Valencia are believed to be open to selling the young superstar for much less if they decide to cash in this summer.

The Spanish under-21 winger has emerged as one of Europe’s most brightest attacking talents over the past year, and its no wonder why top clubs are scouring for his signature after this just his first full year in La Liga.

So without further ado..

Who is Ferran Torres?

Born in Foios, Horta Nord in the Valencian community, Torres joined the much acclaimed Valencia youth setup in 2006, at the age of just 6, progressing swiftly through the ranks before jumping to the Valencia B team at 16 years of age.

He made his debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 Segunda Division B home defeat to Mallorca B. He was formally promoted to the B team for the 2017/18 campaign. Torres scored his first goal for the side by netting the second in a 4-1 rout of Peralada-Girona B. That same year, after some impressive performances, he was strongly linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona even before featuring for the first team.

As a result, his contract was extended, including a release clause of around €25 million. He was swiftly promoted to the first team soon after, in the new year of 2018.

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It wasn’t just domestically where he was making rapid waves, it was on the international scene too. He was part of the side which defeated England in the final of the UEFA European under-17 Championships back in 2017. It was a competition to remember for Torres, he also netting twice and also providing two assists in the Under-17 World Cup the same year. 

After the tournament, he then went on to make his first team debut for Valencia in November 2017, in a 2-0 win over Real Zaragoza in the Copa Del Rey. He then later became the first player born in the 2000s to feature in the La Liga, in a 2-1 defeat to Eibar at the age of 17.

Now a regular for Los Che, it was the 2018/19 season where the youngster made his real mark in the first team. He may have only netted three times in 37 appearances. However, it was his extraordinary performances, maturity and bravery that had fans quickly endearing to him.

Last summer also saw Torres net a brace in the final of the UEFA European Under-19 Championships against Portugal. He also scored his first Champions League goal in November 2019 against Lille in a 4-1 win – whilst becoming Valencia’s youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history.

What’s so good about Torres? Why is he so highly sought-after by Europe’s elite? 

While the modern day interpretation of a winger is one who cuts inside and becomes one of most influential components in an attack, Ferran Torres is one of the few players making exceptional strides as a traditional winger, one who is well versed in causing havoc in getting to the byline, and providing for his fellow forwards.

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Torres is a speed merchant, an incredibly agile and a tricky winger with bags of showboating skills, pieces of movement and is fast becoming a much more potent force in front of goal with his decision-making and use of the ball. 6 goals and 6 assists in all competitions so far this season has propelled him to stardom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmkqW9a6k_Q

Averaging a direct goal contribution every 188 minutes, Ferran Torres has also impressively equated 1.1 key passes per 90 minutes in the domestic top-flight and averaging 1.9 key passes in the Champions League. With his blistering pace and mazy dribbling skills, the winger is averaging 2.2 dribbles per 90 minutes at a success rate of 56%.

In Valencia’s 2-1 defeat to Real Betis in November, it was Torres ever-impressive mazy run which led to Moi Gomez’ opening goal. The Spanish winger certainly wasn’t afraid to take on two of his markers at the same time. It’s skills such as that allows him to become a key component in the team.

That same month, the winger scored a fantastic solo goal against Granada at the Mestalla. Picking up the ball on the right hand side he then drove right through the heart of the Granada midfield and defence unchallenged before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed drive into the top right hand corner.

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His expected goals and assists stats make for telling reading too. His XG reads at 3.2, and his XA reads at 3.9 which means he’s almost guaranteed to contribute to a goal in one way or another. Per 90 minutes, his expected goals reads at 0.16, while his expected assists is at 0.18. Readings such as those shows why he’s so highly sought after. When Torres is on song, defenders are in for a difficult day. He’s massively decisive in the final-third and combative when driving to the byline and put in crosses whether its a floated one or a drilled cross, Torres holds a unique variety in his wing-play.

Another reason why he’s thriving, is defensive contributions too. Playing as a natural right-winger means he can’t shy away from his defensive contributions in behind him. Valencia’s rigid, but fluid 4-4-2 shape means that the whole team must become effective both as an attacking force and a defensive force, as a cohesive unit. In La Liga, Torres is highly effective in the defensive sense, regularly dropping back to pick up his marker, more than likely the opposing full-back, and helping out his own full-back.

The Spanish under-21 international registers 0.8 tackles per game in La Liga, 1.3 in the Champions League. 0.4 interceptions domestically and 0.8 in Europe which means he’s more than capable of fulfilling his defensive duties too.

Valencia don’t have the most effective attack in La Liga, but when they do score, Ferran Torres is more likely to be involved.

The 2019/20 campaign has been a breakout one with Torres emerging as one of Valencia’s team leaders in what’s been a pretty difficult season of late for the club. The winger never shies away in the big outings too, he was both eye-catching and dangerous as Valencia beat Barcelona and drew with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in recent months.

Had Euro 2020 gone ahead this summer, he would probably have made the final 23 with a Spain squad lacking the kind of inventiveness and decisiveness that Torres possesses in the wide areas. If he can continue on his rapid development throughout the next year, whether at Valencia or a new club, Torres would be a certain bet for the Spanish squad once the Euros finally comes around in 2021.

Where should he head to next? Which club can successfully further his development? 

Out of all the clubs currently keeping tabs on his exciting services, they all prove tasty next destinations for Ferran Torres. However, if he harbours any dreams or ambitions of becoming a Spain national team regular then he will need to head to a club which will certainly give him the freedom to expresss himself and a club in which could provide him the opportunity to grow at his own pace and with the room to make mistakes without much scrutiny.

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Manchester City, according to various reports, are close to securing Torres’ signature this summer, and if Raheem Sterling’s growth and development under Pep Guardiola is anything to exemplify then Ferran Torres has potentially chosen the perfect destination to further his own horizon and progression.

With the departure of Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich, a space has opened up for a winger to join Guardiola’s setup and Torres represents the perfect replacement and solution. With such wonderful world class talents beside him, Torres’ creative and goal output could increase considerably.

He is player a blessed in the art of not just creating chances but scoring them too. Playing with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Sergio Aguero can only heighten Torres’ threat and capabilities down the wings. He will also be playing Champions League football yet again next season, as well challenging for the Premier League title. Ferran Torres could potentially be in for a joy ride if his supposed move to Manchester City materialises.

Pau Torres 2019/20 – Scout Report

Pau Torres 2019/20 – Scout Report

One of the most decorated young performers in his position, a player embarking on a rich breakthrough season in La Liga. Villareal centre-half Pau Torres has regularly been earmarked as the future of Spanish football.

Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City are all interested in securing his signature this summer, and if this season’s performances are anything to build upon, the Spanish international is on course to quickly fulfil his exciting potential at an elite level.

The lanky defender has been a revelation in La Liga this season. Torres may have emerged into Spanish football at a more latter stage than most players, but he’s adapted seamlessly, becoming a pivotal component in Villareal’s impressive campaign.

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So, here’s a profile of the exciting young talent:

How has Pau Torres emerged on the scene? 

Born in Villareal, Spain. Torres has enjoyed most of his football playing through the ranks at the club. He made his league debut for the reserve side at the age of 19, starting in a 1-0 away loss in the Segunda Division B game against UE Cornella. He went on to make 56 appearances for the reserve side, becoming a key part of the team. He got the first of his two goals for them in October 2016, scoring in a 2-2 draw with CF Badalona.

Torres then made his maiden competitive appearance for the club in a 1-1 home draw with CD Toledo in the Copa Del Rey round of 32, becoming the first player born in the city to make his debut for the club in 13 years. A landmark achievement for the youngster.

In November 2017, Torres was then rewarded with his first game in La Liga coming on as a substitute for fellow academy graduate Manu Trigerous late into a 3-2 defeat to Sevilla. He also made his European debut in the Europa League ten days later, starting in the home group defeat against Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.

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The following summer, the defender was then loaned out to Malaga CF to further his development, and it is a point in his career where he can look back on with much pride going forward. Just what Villareal loaned him out for, Torres achieved it with aplomb. He only missed four Segunda Division games that season as the club reached the promotion play-offs.

After his return to his parent club, all that Torres learned on his loan journey came to the fore, becoming a key figure in the Villareal team ever since his return. He’s played nearly every minute in La Liga this season, and was rewarded with a new contract back in October. In the same month, he notched his first goal at the top level, scoring against CA Osasuna in a 2-1 defeat.

While many taste a whole lot of action at under-21 international level before they make the step up to the first team. It didn’t take long for Torres to make a name for himself at senior level for Spain, scoring on his international debut in the UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying game against Malta, a 7-0 rout. He was called up for the previous encounters against Norway and Sweden but did not make an official appearance, until he came on as a substitute for Sergio Ramos against Malta before scoring his first goal for his nation.

What’s so good about Pau Torres? 

Pau Torres has established himself as one of La Liga’s most highly coveted young talents, and arguably the most promising centre-back.. He’s also brought on comparisons to former Manchester United and Barcelona centre-back Pique, due to his fantastic reading of the game, and constant knack of starting attacks with his fine long and short passes into his midfielders.

Left-footed centre backs are perceived as a rare but unique commodity in the modern game today because of the space they open up and what they offer in terms of distribution from the back. Pau Torres offers just that. He’s comfortable in receiving the pass and distributing it under pressure, as well as picking out riskier and almost impossible longer passes to wingers or forwards.

His range of passing can open teams up and also more importantly gives the team an added width in order to stretch the opposition and disrupt the shape of their midfield. Per 90 minutes, Torres has attempted 3.74 passes with travels longer than 40yrds of the width of the pitch, at a an average rate of 77.6%. He’s certainly not afraid to exert himself when trying to pick out a player in a more dangerous position.

He’s also adept at picking out his midfield players when being pressured, giving them control and freedom to roam up the pitch without pressure from opposition forwards. He’s made 6.57 passes per 90 while being pressed, highlighting his bravery and risk and reward characteristics.

It’s traits like these which is highly valued in possession heavy sides that places its importance in playing out short passes from the goalkeeper, being patient and building from their own defensive third.

Torres is a player who loves to defend, and he does the basics well, he’s made 4.7 clearances per game and wins 50.8% of his aerial dels, an aspect of his game which may need a bit of work, however.

The Spaniard is rarely dribbled past too, on average only 0.1 times per game. He’s positionally excellent and is very astute when standing his ground, and facing up to his opponent. He’s really not afraid to quickly engage the forward and knock the ball out for a throw if need be.

Although, he will have to battle the ever consistent Inigo Martinez for a spot alongside Sergio Ramos at the heart of the Spanish defence. Torres’ current form and improvement means that it won’t be long before he’s leading the back-line once Sergio Ramos hangs up his boots, even probably replacing him while he’s still playing.

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Standing at 6’3 and capable of covering ground at a remarkable rate for a central defender, Torres holds all the attributes needed to stand out for a team playing out from the back. He’d easily slot into Barcelona’s back-line, and also Manchester City’s.

Will we see him in the Premier League anytime soon?

It won’t be a total surprise to see a host of English top-flight clubs scour for his services once the window opens. However, Villareal will command a heavy fee for the talented young defender and considering the financial impact of a number of top clubs in the Premier League, its unlikely to see them totally break the bank to secure Torres’ signature.

The decision for his next club is totally his one to make. Does he stay in Spain or try a totally different culture but play under a coach who will truly train him in becoming the best ball-playing defender he can be. Staying in his native Spain may be the most likely outcome in the immediate future, and Villareal are a team on a steady rise. Continuing his progression at the Estadio de la Cerámica won’t do his development any harm. The style of play suits him down to the ground.

In one-versus-one situations, he has the stature and speed to hold his own, but in possession is where he looks to be well-set for a successful career.

The sky really is the limit for the young defender.

Pau Torres, remember the name.

Mikel Oyarzabal 2019/20 – Scout Report

Mikel Oyarzabal 2019/20 – Scout Report

One of the most decorated young forwards in Spanish football. Real Sociedad winger Mikel Oyarzabal is enjoying a remarkable season at the Anoeta stadium, placing himself amongst the most elite forwards in the La Liga this season.

Real Sociedad are indeed blessed with an array of rich bright young talents currently. Martin Odegaard (currently on loan from Real Madrid), Alexander Isak, Mikel Merino and Igor Zubeldia, but Mikel Oyarzabal has been one of the standout performers and if he can carry on this sort of form once the season resumes after the coronavirus pandemic, who’s to say the Spanish forward won’t lead Sociedad to an unprecedented Champions League spot.

They currently sit fourth in the league, but face stiff competition from surprise package Getafe, Atletico Madrid and Valencia to secure the last Champions League place. Whether Sociedad secure their place in Europe’s elite competition or not, Oyarzabal will almost certainly be plying amongst much more grander, greener pastures.

Real Sociedad v CD Leganes - La Liga
Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad in action during the Liga match between Real Sociedad and CD Leganes.

Who is Mikel Oyarzabal?

Born in Eibar, Spain. Mikel Oyarzabal joined the Real Sociedad youth setup in 2011, aged 14. At the age of 17, he made debut for the reserves in 2014, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3-2 away win against SD Amorebieta in the Segunda B Division.

The following season is where he grabbed his first goals for the reserve side, scoring twice in a 5-0 drubbing of CD Mensajaro. It’s through eye-catching performances that meant the first team had to stand up and take notice. He was rewarded with his first La Liga appearance, replacing Carlos Vela in the dying minutes of a 4-0 win over Levante.

That same season, he notched his first goal for the first team, in February 2016 against Espanyol in a comfortable 5-0 victory. His emergence onto the scene prompted a contract extension from the club running till 2021. Oyarzabal then netted another two goals against Granada in a 3-0 victory. The Spanish forward felt at home in his new side, gradually becoming a vital component in attack. The following summer, he the extended his contract for a further year, featuring in every 38 La Liga match during the 2016/17 campaign.

Oyarzabal hasn’t looked back since, becoming the face and poster boy of the club.

He’s now a regular for Spain at international level where he is also rated highly especially by coach Luis Enrique. He’s represented Spain at under-18 and under-19 levels. It was in 2016, at the age of 19 where he made his international debut against Bosnia in 2016, playing 30 minutes. He made his full debut against Sweden in October 2019, also scoring his first international goal for his nation. Oyarzabal has gone on to make a further 6 appearances for Spain, adding his second goal in the 5-0 win over Romania in their last international outing in November.

 

What’s his style of play? 

Naturally a left-winger, Oyarzabal also holds the unique qualities to play across the three behind the striker. He’s also lined up in the number 10 position too behind Willian Jose or Alexander Isak. However, much of his play comes from the left in Sociedad’s 4-3-3 setup, where he’s not your typical winger but rather an inverted one. A player who performs most of their work centrally, providing him with the license to roam between the opposition defenders and midfielders.

Across all competitions this season, Oyarzabal has registered 10 goals and 6 assists at club level, highlighting his incredible influence and importance alongside his superb creative on-loan Real Madrid partner Martin Ødegaard.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2eoL0Kdes4

 

The Spanish international is uniquely gifted, he may not be as quick as most players, but is blessed with extraordinary skill-sets and composure which allows him to get by his opponents with such swift ease. Per 90 minutes in La Liga this season, Oyarzabal registers 2.2 dribbles meaning he is well versed in not only getting past defenders but also dribbling his team up the pitch or becoming effective when dribbling within confined spaces.

It’s within those areas where Oyarzabal is so impressively decisive and effective. This season, he’s registered 24 passes into the final third, created 22 chances, and completed 15 key passes. Per 90, he’s registered 1.2 key passes. He’s expected goals per 90 reads at 0.31 and his expected assists, at 0.20. Other than Martin Ødegaard, Oyarzabal is indeed Real Sociedad’s main creative hub, almost every attacking move within the final third is constructed by the Spaniard.

It’s no wonder why clubs such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all keeping tabs on him. Players like Oyarzabal are a rare breed in modern football. A player who is very complete in the art of creating chances and becoming so influential in attacking phases of play.

The Sociedad number 10 is a phenomenon in La Liga. Arguably the closest talent it has to Lionel Messi. Not only do the Sociedad fans love him but almost every fan across Spain. Mikel Oyarzabal is difficult to hate. The way in which he weaves his way past his marker, is pleasing on the eye. His low sense of gravity, delicate ball control mixed with the vision for an eye of the needle pass, he is a player sure to entertain and excite fans for years to come.

Where should Oyarzabal head to next? 

It’s no secret that Oyarzabal is enjoying arguably the best football of his career this season so far. If Real Sociedad do qualify for the Champions League for next season, you can’t back against him committing his future at the Anoeta stadium.

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Oyarzabal has formed a formidable partnership with on loan Real Madrid midfielder Martin Ødegaard.

However, you would imagine the drive and ambition in the young Spanish forward, to test himself at world’s elite clubs. At 23-years of age, Oyarzabal is progressing into the most important years of his career and here’s assuming that he would love to test himself at the pinnacle. It’s unclear if Barcelona’s interest is indeed strong considering the passion to sign Lautaro Martinez and Neymar, they won’t be able to afford both players, so its unclear whether they would manage to do a deal for Oyarzabal. The La Liga champions would need massive clear-out to pursue a deal for the forward.

Bayern Munich are a strong bet, but it is reported they are hugely interested in Manchester City’s Leroy Sane. If Sane does indeed join Munich, then a Man City move for the Spanish wonderkid would be a real possibility. Oyarzabal on current form would thrive in the Premier League, especially under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola and could work expertly well with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus. Plus, it provides Guardiola with an array of bright young attacking talents at his disposal.

Oyarzabal certainly harnesses the unique attacking and creative qualities to absolutely thrive in Manchester.

Bayern Munich Move Could Ignite Philippe Coutinho’s Stalled Career

Bayern Munich Move Could Ignite Philippe Coutinho’s Stalled Career

Bayern Munich secured the signing of Brazillian attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona on a season-long loan deal which also includes a option to buy. 

Barcelona have released the details of the details stating that the German champions will pay 8.5m euros (£7.78m) to take the Brazillian playmaker on loan while the option to buy if Bayern Munich want to secure him permanently next summer will have to part with 120m euros (£109.84m) to secure his signature for the foreseeable future.

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Philippe Coutinho has joined Bayern Munich on season-long loan deal.

It is also understood that Bayern Munich will pay all of Philippe Coutinho’s salary for the duration of the loan spell, and with the Brazilian’s pay package off their books, it could provide Barcelona with the added funds to try and re-sign Coutinho’s superstar international team mate, Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain. Whether that deal occurs or not, Coutinho’s move to the Bundesliga could provide him with the opportunity to get back to his best, and also give Niko Kovac the much needed quality in his attacking weaponary.

It was only a couple months ago that Barcelona declared they were determined to keep Coutinho at the Camp Nou, the Brazilian and his representatives were reassured that Coutinho would not be sold. But with the European transfer window reaching its climax, Coutinho has found his Barcelona dream all but shattered after a disappointing 18 months. The most expensive player in Barcelona’s history has been deemed surplus to requirements and a potential dampner on any potential Neymar return.

‘How your career can change in 18 months’ is a very intriguing storyline if you were write a book on Coutinho’s year-and-a-half nightmare.

Upon his arrival at the Camp Nou from Liverpool for a swashbuckling £146million record fee, the Brazillian was seen as the heir to Andres Iniesta’s throne, a creative enforcer, one that would ultimately release some of the burdens off Lionel Messi and a signing that would drive Barcelona into a new age. That proposed dream or new age has faltered dramatically. While joining Bayern Munich may not be perceived as a step down on any stretch of the imagination, its clearly not the way things were supposed to go for the former Liverpool superstar, who forced his way out of Anfield to fulfil his once in a lifetime dream – a deal that remains the most expensive transfer in English football history.

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Coutinho failed to live up to expectations at Barcelona, but was he given the appropriate parameters to succeed?

What is abundantly clear within the Barcelona camp is that they no longer require Coutinho’s services, which is why they have provided Bayern Munich with the incentive to permanently sign the Brazillian next summer with the club as a whole hoping that the Brazilian enjoys a fruitful time in Munich so they can recoup most of the money they paid Liverpool for over 18 months ago. Despite scoring 21 goals in 76 appearances for the La Liga champions, Coutinho has fallen short of expectations and has been linked with a host of top clubs throughout the summer such as Paris Saint-Germain, as part of a potential Neymar deal, Arsenal and Tottenham. It’s remarkable how – despite Coutinho’s brilliance – the Brazillian has become expendable in such a short space of time, a further representation of the difficulties he has endured trying to embed himself into a new culture of football.

Philippe Coutinho was supposed to be the player bringing Barcelona into a new era. It just hasn’t worked out. Now, the Brazillian will be tasked with finding his feet again in an equally as brilliant and talented side in Bayern Munich. The likes of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Ivan Perisic, Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry will all certainly be purring at the sight of teaming up with Philippe Coutinho. At least now, there won’t be as much of a burden on the shoulders of Coutinho like he has endured in Barcelona. The Brazillian was supposed to be Andreas Iniesta’s ideal replacement and that’s where the major problem was.

Coutinho did not have a specific role at the Camp Nou, and rather the role that was offered to the Brazillian were not the ideal positions that would bring the best out of him. Many thought Coutinho would have fit in perfectly in Barcelona’s midfield triumvirate alongside Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic but it was thought he lacked the defensive discipline to fully adhere to the role and while the left of Barcelona’s destructive front three – a replacement for Neymar – seemed the more plausible role for Coutinho, he never really found any consistency as Valverde felt the need to rotate between him and Ousmane Dembele. The constant chopping and changing just never really helped Coutinho’s confidence. While he is undoubtedly one of the world’s best attacking midfield talents, Coutinho is also a shy and reserved character but at the same time needs an arm round the shoulder for him to thrive, though, that all seemed impossible at a club that can be so brutal and unforgiving, especially within the clubs fan base.

It was in his unveiling at Bayern Munich that he revealed his best position is at “number 10” and rightly so, that has been the area where Coutinho has impressed time and time again, but at Barcelona, those aren’t the parameters that the club has traditionally been built on, if there is ever a “number 10” then its in the nature of Lionel Messi and Messi alone. Whether its a 4-3-3 or even a 4-4-2 – a system Valverde has heavily relied on since his appointment – it is within that setup that Messi is automatically the given the license to roam and no one else, and that’s not how Coutinho operates. The Brazillian is a lone wolf in the creative department and maybe, just maybe at Bayern, he will be allowed and given the freedom to become the teams main creative force.

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Coutinho’s time at Nou Camp may be one he will be quick to forget – can he right his wrongs in Munich? 

Bayern Munich are in need of a influential and effective no. 10 and with James Rodriguez having returned to Madrid, and Thomas Muller no longer holding the tools and capacity to carry out the role, Philippe Coutinho perfectly fits the bill slotting into the side seamlessly. With the departures of Arjen Robben – who hands his no.10 shirt over to the Brazilian – and Frank Ribery, Bayern Munich desperately needed to improve their options in attack and the signings of Ivan Perisic, Mikael Cuisance and Philippe Coutinho does exactly that. Experience, vigour, creative influence and a huge work ethic; characteristics that all of these players harbour in abundance.

One of the major reasons for Coutinho’s success at Liverpool was that he was the main link between midfield and the front three, picking up positions within a fluid formation that allowed Coutinho the creative freedom and the ability to drive the team up the pitch from relentless pressing and counter-attacking moves. Deployed as a no. 8, no. 10, and often as an inverted winger capable of moving infield and causing havoc in between the lines like a regular no.10. This tactic allowed Coutinho to become a hugely effective outlet along with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane constantly leaving the opposition defence in a state of flux. This maybe the best way Niko Kovac can fully utilise the Brazillian playmaker’s creative influence at the Allianz Arena. Also, Coutinho is very familiar with the “Gegen Press” a style all so loved by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool akin to Bayern Munich’s own counter pressing philosophy. It’s Coutinho’s amazing dribbling abilities that would provide Kovac’s fluid system to thrive both in the attacking third and on the counter-attack.

We saw it time and time again in England, the way the Brazillian so effortlessly dances around his marker with his intricate quick-feet and close control like the ball is magnetised to his feet, caressing the ball into a position where he can hit wonderful 30-yard shots or even pick out at team-mate with an audacious pass. That’s what the Brazillian is capable of, providing something out of the ordinary, pieces of play that fans can’t even imagine. At the Camp Nou, fans did see some of that brilliance but not on a regular basis, and whether that’s down to the inconsistencies in Valverde’s personnel or Coutinho’s failure to adapt remains to be seen. Though, Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac will now be tasked with revitalising Coutinho’s vim and deploying him as the main creative outlet in his possible fluid, free-flowing and dominant 4-2-3-1 setup.

lineup (1)

In this attacking formation, there is always room for the three behind the main striker to constantly interchange. The pace, movement and imagination of all of Perisic, Coutinho, Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman could be a devastating sight. With the creativity and imagination of Thiago, Leon Goretzka, new signing Mikael Cuisance and Corentin Tolisso, coach Niko Kovac will have no problems deploying midfielders that can pick out passes within such tight and confined spaces in between the lines. Dominant and powerful midfield players like Leon Goretzka can have a massive effect, a player well versed in the art of a box-to-box type, one that can constantly weave and maraud his way past opponents driving his team into attacking transitions and different phases of play.

Bayern Munich are very much stocked in midfield. Players with an array of attacking and defensive qualities.

Alternatively, Coutinho can also be deployed as a no.8 come no.10 in a 4-3-3 set up.

lineup

When out of possession, Coutinho could be found in a regular position along with Tolisso or Thiago but when Bayern have the ball – most of the time – the Brazillian will be the constant link between the midfield and the attacking third with Lewandowski, Gnabry and Perisic/Coman constantly moving and interchanging.

Furthermore, what’s also unique about Coutinho is his set-piece qualities. Bayern Munich now hold a midfielder fully capable in grabbing a goal from direct free-kicks, along with testing keepers from a long way out, a unique trait the whole team missed in their previous outing against Hertha Berlin. Alongside scoring from set-pieces, Coutinho remains a key player in winning free-kicks in the danger zone, thanks to his magnetic ball control, lightning-fast movement and dribbling skills.

The Brazillian may have struggled at Barcelona, and while he will hold himself responsible for some of his struggles and inability to adapt himself to La Liga, you could argue that the Spanish giants didn’t really fully plan for his arrival, therefore, not allowing him the time and space needed to properly find his feet and enjoy a consistent run in the starting XI. However, there is no doubt about it, Philippe Coutinho holds all the tools and ingredients needed to become an instant hit in Bavaria, joining a club where he will almost certainly be allowed the patience to fully embed himself in the team. The hugely professional atmosphere and togetherness within the Bayern Munich camp may just provide Philippe Coutinho with the much needed impetus to be a success in Germany, even if it short-term.

The signing of Coutinho may just be the icing on the cake for Niko Kovac and his team, the Bundesliga title race between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund is sure to be even better than last years enthralling spectacle. Hold on to your seats, this years Bundesliga journey may be a very bumpy and unforgettable ride.