U23 Fullbacks – Under The Spotlight Scouting Report

/ Player Analysis

Scouting across Europe/South America to find cheap, reliable and ready to breakout talented fullback and wingback options for clubs to put their bet on

What makes a competitive and talented fullback?

– Defensive solidity – strong 1v1 defending, positioning, tackling
– Offensive contribution – crossing, passing, overlapping/underlapping
– Physical specimen – strength, speed, agility
– Work rate in covering a flank
– Composure under pressure and intelligence in both halves

The making of this scouting series began close to 6 months back, during that time some players were still relevantly not as synonymous as they are right now. However, they’ve taken their opportunity by storm now; names including

Alvaro Carreras – Real Madrid (LB)

Micheal Kayode – Brentford (RB)

Wesley – Roma (RB)

Omar El Hilali – Espanyol (RB)

Malick El Diouf – West Ham (LB)

Givairo Read – Feyernood (RB)

Let’s go past the mainstream names now. In no order whatsoever, here are underrated names that have caught my eyes for a couple of months. A mixture of offensive/defensive profiles that according to their skillsets could make the pathway to your respective teams


Nathaniel Brown – Germany
22 | LB | Eintracht Frankfurt

A guiding force in Eintracht Frankfurt’s domination in Bundesliga and Germany’s run in the EURO, he’s an athletic fullback. Does the task of mitigating defensive transitions and blocking dribblers with his success rate in tackles/interceptions

Brown’s press resistance and small frame help in flaunting his tight space manipulation in the explosive potential higher up the pitch. As good of a crosser, he’s also a sharp runner in spaces that helps him fetch goals very often.


Joaquin Seys – Belgium
20 | LB/RB | Club Brugge

Brugge’s own academy product, Seys is a duel winning, mobile defender who exhibits smart defensive anticipation and possessional fluidity. Composed with his approach, brings in temperament in the wide channels to brush off players.

Versatile in nature – LB/RB, aids in build up phases with progressive passes/carries whilst also opting to invert and receive on the half turn under pressure. Can create separation, attack spaces and find timely passes.


Marco Palestra – Italy
20 | RWB/RB | Cagiliari

Palestra is one of the best FBs to emerge across Europe this season. The Atalanta loanee has shown immense potential in the attacking third; progressive carries and volume dribbles that have seen him set a benchmark.

Technically sound, resounding recovery technique with clever defensive presence. The Italian’s influence on a team’s playing style and tactical versatility will deservedly merit him a big move.


Arsene Kouassi – Burkina Faso
21 | LWB | Lorient

Ligue 1’s most dynamic and front footed fullback. Kouassi’s defensive fundamentals are polished, which naturally help him to rely on the creative attack generation. Dribble/carry profile; brilliant change of pace/direction to bring variety into attacks.

Searing bursts of pace, crosses; in swinging back post deliveries, 1-2’s down the flank, infield passes for directness, agility, recovery tackling and defensive anticipation. First season in the top division, he’s taken it with all guns blazing.

Diego Moriera – Belgium
21 | LB/LW | Strasbourg

If you watch Strasbourg on a regular basis, you know the shifts Moreira puts in on a weekly basis. A complete fullback profile; defends channels, combines play with passes/crosses and reroutes the side to offensive actions

Workhorse talent who’s got a great first touch, final ball and a left foot that brings in elegance to play. Always available for runs on the byline > likes to access his crossing option to read box scenarios well making him top the charts of chances created in France


Hector Fort – Spain
19 | RB | Elche

An attacking profile, disguised to be a defender off the wide flanks. The Barca loanee, who’s now been at the thick of things at Elche has shown class footwork, close control and tight space manipulation with the ball at his feet which makes him elusive.

Fort offers a variety of packages in attack; overlaps/underlaps, dribbles, carriers and passing synergy. Defensively adept to isolate wingers and recover possession with his intelligence in physically challenging opponents into duels.

Quentin Merlin – France
23 | LB/LWB | Rennes

One of the best defenders at the U21 EURO in the summer, he instantly earned a move to Rennes post the campaign. As a LB, he’s a certified crosser of the ball with elite accuracy in the swerve and weight of passes.

The offensive understanding of spaces and quick feet under pressure keeps him a step ahead of others. He’s also got an underrated eye for goal with his undiscovered shot power. Additionally, he’s relentless in tackling and blocking shots effectively.


Juanlu Sanchez – Spain
21 | RB/RW | Sevilla

Following an impressive impressive spell at the U21 EURO, both from RB and RW, the Spaniard has slotted right into La Liga dynamics. The dynamic and versatile profile of Juanlu makes him a top rated fullback prodigy, more so in the offensive spaces

The link up play from wider areas and the bursts of pace he brings in is special to his profile, mixing things with his solid physical traits. He’s also someone who can make instinctive overlaps + runs into the box to get into scoring positions.


Marc Pubill – Spain
22 | RB/CB | Atletico Madrid

A standout U21 EURO with Spain was enough to convince Atlético Madrid to secure Pubill’s signature. A colossal talent in the defensive pack, versatile as a RB/CB with classy work-rate, anticipation and duelling ability.

Comfortable in high pressing to recover the ball as a man marker, whilst he also shows commendable prowess in the air. Timing of tackles, recovery pace and the confidence in managing the defence makes me believe he’s destined to be a headliner.


Kiliann Sildillia – France
23 | RB | PSV Eindhoven

An impressive campaign for France in the U21 EURO and Freiburg, saw him move to the exciting youthful side of PSV Eindhoven. A promising talent who’s hailed for his commitment defensively, synonymous in the Bundesliga.

Proper box defender, 1v1 negotiator, decent passer of the ball and even better crosser of the ball. The physical traits help him outmuscle attackers, very much like another fellow Frenchman, Jules Koundé. A player to keep tabs on


Guela Doué – France
23 | RB/CB | Strasbourg

Might be synonymous to some being Désire Doué’s brother, this Doué is as gifted as the younger. Positional awareness and understanding of opposition sequences is exquisite, doesn’t put a foot wrong and can put his body on the line.

Has a technique where he likes to roll the ball over his body and dribble which is class to create separation from wider areas. All in all, a good tackler, has great recovery pace and can battle it out against the trickiest wingers


Nnamdi Collins – Germany
21 | RB/CB | Eintracht Frankfurt

A gem of profile that has capped off a fantastic season with Frankfurt, linking up with his club + country teammate Brown on the other flank. A RB/CB profile that likes to barge down the flanks with his running power and ability to combine.

An assertive player defensively; good vs tricky dribblers and has good fundamentals of winning the ball in 1v1s. A similar profile to Jurriën Timber, especially with the agility and defensive stability in crucially negotiating attackers on the touchline


Álex Valle – Spain
21 | LB | Como

The La Masia graduate has found home in the tactical helm of a former La Masia legend, Cesc Fabregas. A robust defender who keeps things ticking on the ball – empathetic and interrogative with his passing approach, especially down the flank.

Agile and athletic in nature, can track back quickly to recover on the counter by blocking shots, keeping him in the top percentile of possession won. Additionally, he likes to play under the nose of wingers, making it difficult for them to operate in tight spaces.


José Neto – Portugal
17 | LB | Benfica

The Portuguese youth setup has replicated the senior sides Nuno Mendes element in Neto. The U17 World Cup winner capped off a fantastic campaign; 4 Goals + 2 Assists as a LB. Numbers are the backing to how progressive minded he’s been.

Can operate on the inside/outside, combines play, gets into shooting positions, solid defensive frame with long legs to intercept passes, which translates well to the team. Listen to “The Special One” praising his talent after handing him his senior debut.


Daniel Banjaqui – Portugal
17 | RB | Benfica B

Another of the U17 World Cup Winners; Banjaqui is an imposing fullback, able to make his mark equally on both halves of the pitch. Progressive profile; pass/dribble first who brings an element of creativity whilst catering to risks in play.


Youssoupha Mbodji – Senegal
21 | LWB | Slavia Prague

With a brace on his Champions League debut, the Senegalese is bringing in weightage to being Malick El Diouf’s successor with limited minutes under his belt. A springy profile who can rebound defence > attack with his athleticism, pace and aggressive tackling style.

The body positioning while dealing with 1v1s is rather unorthodox; he’ll look to crouch low to maximise his COG, giving better balance, faster reaction and the ability to change direction, through which he can closely mark/tackle

Jorge Salinas – Spain
18 | LB | Racing Santander

Battling it out in the second division of Spain this season, Salinas has the potential to go to the very top soon. Loves a physical tussle, but prefers to outsmart the opponent by reading the play, matching pace and anticipating actions before putting his foot to the ball.

Stable body language in engaging in duels, good use of hands to change direction/decelerate according to the dribblers. Positioned wide, he comes handy in offensive actions + has decent recovery speed to deal with pace merchants.


A list of more underrated gems that I reckon could possibly explode in the near future and have an appreciating value:

– Lukas Ullrich + Luca Netz – Borrusia Mönchengladbach Duo
– Alberto Costa + Martim Fernandes – Porto Duo
– Samuel Dahl + Amar Dedic – Benfica Duo
– Brooke Norton Cuffy – Genoa
– Dayann Methalli – Toulousse

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