Watching the recent U21 EURO gave me a broader perspective on the talent pool that the position midfield has on it’s plate. In this article below, let’s dive deeper into underrated midfield players and their profiles.
This compilation will have a huge variation in profiles:
– destroyers,
– holding midfielders,
– box to box,
– creative midfielders,
– hybrids
Lamine Camara – Senegal
21 | DM/CM | 5’8
The Monaco talent is a physical, brave and adaptable profile who establishes himself on the pitch broadly with his vertical line breakers and smartness in mitigating opponents threat with overall awareness. A determined and prolific midfielder.
The aggressive duelling OOP has a proper balance with the calmness in composing passes. The dead-ball quality in deliveries and 7 assists for club are just a temperament of his offensive qualities. Discipline is an area to work on majorly.
Andrey Santos – Brazil
21 | DM/CM | 5’11
Although financially on the up, Santos is coming off a fantastic season for Strasbourg – loan from Chelsea. Can play as a hybrid midfielder – equally dominant as an orchestrator/box to box who has a wonderful eye for box crashing movements.
Good passing technique in breaking lines alongside combinational play in short/medium length. Press resistant from the first phase and is composed + neat with his actions. Deal depends whether Chelsea would look to sell him of course
Lucien Agoume – France
23 | DM/CM | 6’2
Agoume is a ball winner who’s often spoken off for his composure and neatness ball manipulation – tackling, intercepting, receiving with feints, passing and also nonchalantly creating for his side. Physically astute, suiting Arsenal’s vision
A tempo controller when needed with varied techniques in distribution, statistically which can improve at a side like Arsenal who dominate possession.
Ayyoub Bouaddi – France
17 | DM/CM | 6’1
Youngest in the list, however one of the smoothest players on the list. The simplicity in actions, sweet timing of tackles/interceptions and maturity makes his game have a multifaceted angle. The long legs and lanky body contribute to his sleek playstyle
Dynamism in ball playing ability – carries/passes (stop start movements) aid in plunging progression, attributes in plugging teammates into the game with scanning + screening, majorly speaks of his elite IQ and awareness.
Javier Guerra – Spain
22 | CM/DM/AM | 6’2
U21 Euro’s best midfielder imo, he’s just got it all. Guerra has elite passing abilities that can break play and feed different channels of attack. The spatial manipulation and quick scanning lets him manoeuvre through tight spaces
He can receive between the lines, carry from varied angles, utilise his agility and turning radius and has impressive running power to document his overall game. More of a CM with top defensive awareness and a knack for goal scoring actions
Valentin Atangana Edoa – France
19 | DM/CM | 5’8
Been a frequent Reims follower this season and Atangana has had a breakout. Smaller in frame to the others, but a certified off the ball duel winner who can screen and scan attacking movements and stop them from having breathing space.
Athleticism is off the charts which makes him a transition stopper – can close down spaces and bait runners into uncomfortable positions. He’s also got a quality passing technique of connecting the ball low that dips to the target, particularly out wide.
Mikel Jauregizar – Spain
21 | DM | 5’10
High profile midfield controller who’s had his breakout season at Atheltic Bilbao, starring for the U21’s too. A conventional DM who flows the Spanish way – easy to eye, direct with his passing and instinctual with his ability to win back the ball.
The flight and weight he finds on his vertical passes as a midfielder is crucial to how his team operates in possession. This is direct competition for Rodri + Zubimendi in the senior side in the coming years
Soungoutou Magassa – France
21 | DM/CB | 6’3
Another talent I’ve admired at the U21 EURO – an aggressive and imposing profile who’s brilliant with his timing of tackles. The long legs have a reliance on recovery pace and he matches it with his core strength to handle duels.
Can argue that he’s stiff with his movements, but he uses it to its benefits of scanning and staying composed. First touch and decision making can improve, but a good option to have in the list
Amadou Koné – Mali
20 | CM/DM | 6’1
Reims’ Koné is a powerhouse midfielder whose dominance is noted in duels and ball winning traits. Smart in anticipating the ball, solid physical presence and a progressive ball carrier in transitions. An answer to the Baleba profile
Rocco Reitz – Germany
23 | CM/DM | 5’9
Scouted him at the ongoing U21 EURO and he’s a good shout. Elegant midfielder with smartness in positioning. He’s very comfortable in wider positions showcasing quick feet and can break lines with intricate threaded passes/crosses with swerve + intent
A testament of his vision and knack of perfect execution. He’s a leader with the way he operates for Germany as a regista – drops deep, asks for the ball, points to directions to exploit and then links up play very well.
Johann Lepenant – France
22 | CM/DM/AM | 5’9
A unique profile who can play all positions in midfield- DM/CM/AM but particularly very good in orchestrating play and receiving from the GK/CBs. The quality on the ball speaks with his incisiveness to pass + carry and quick decision making in distribution
Downsides are certainly his lean body which can see him not maybe physically battle it out in the PL but by no means does he not mitigate Arsenal’s needs for progression from deep as a ball winning/creative B2B midfielder.
I’d like to give out an honourable mention to players like;
Andy Diouf
Ismaël Doukoure
Eric Martel
Diogo Nascimento
Talented players whom I’ve watched extensively at the U21 EURO and deserve credits for their strides for their youth national setup
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