The Summer 2024 scouting thread

[felmani26]

@Ghost Hardware you mentioned this player before and whilst not ready for next season but as a long term prospect to nurture at DM then we should also be looking at Ayyoub Bouaddi who looks another prodigious talent coming off the Lille conveyor belt;



Would be a transfer and loan back you feel much like Sarr, Saliba etc. and at only 16 has an awful lot of physical development to undertake but nevertheless, a player we should be keeping tabs on in a position of need.

And whilst we are on the subject of Lille, Leny Yoro will be the next big French defender moving on to bigger and better who at 18 really does possess high defensive IQ;

 

[Ghost Hardware]

@Ghost Hardware you mentioned this player before and whilst not ready for next season but as a long term prospect to nurture at DM then we should also be looking at Ayyoub Bouaddi who looks another prodigious talent coming off the Lille conveyor belt;



Would be a transfer and loan back you feel much like Sarr, Saliba etc. and at only 16 has an awful lot of physical development to undertake but nevertheless, a player we should be keeping tabs on in a position of need.

And whilst we are on the subject of Lille, Leny Yoro will be the next big French defender moving on to bigger and better who at 18 really does possess high defensive IQ;

Be interesting to see if Madrid finalise the Yoro deal. 43 mil I think was being reported. No doubt he’s the biggest young CD talent in the world currently but I do wonder if that move will be a little too soon for him.

On a side note on French talents, check out Ismaël Doukouré at Strasbourg. He’s actually a CB but due to his excellent ability on the ball has played DM at times. Fast and a good dribbler, he’s still raw (only 20) but an exciting talent.

Like the loan back idea for Bouaddi although would probably need to find a different club for him as I don’t know if Lille would develop him properly if they knew he was leaving.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I know most of you will be watching the Atalanta vs Pool game, as will I, but if any of you don’t fancy watching it or willing to get your VCR down from the attic then the second leg of the POAK vs Brugge game might be worth your attention. The tie is poised on a knife edge at 0-1 and being in Thessaloniki, this should be a very feisty affair.

Before the first leg there were reports that we were going to have scouts in attendance and I had wanted to highlight a few players, aside from Nusa, that one might want to keep an eye out for. Unfortunately the scouting thread got understandably shut down (not complaining, could see it was coming) so I didn’t get a chance to post but figured id do it for the second leg. Im not going to go into too much detail on players as I may do full profiles of those that might be of interest at a later date and I also don’t have the time atm. I just thought it might be interesting for those that don’t follow ether team to watch the players for themselves seeing as we know our scouts where there last time. TBH I have already mentioned most of them In the Nusa thread but figured i’d give a small paragraph to each. There are other players like Olsen, Thiago and Skóraś but they are more well know so didn’t think they need mentioning.

Raphael Onyedika - 22 - DM - Brugge

Onyedika’s rise has been a slow and steady one. Maybe due to the position he plays he has stayed out of the spotlight but in the last two years since joining from Midtjylland he has established himself as the backbone of a very exciting Brugge team. IMO it’s only a matter of time before a big club comes and picks him up as he seems to improve almost every time i’ve seen him. Case in point he has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 league games and he also won a pen against POAK. The lad is really coming into his own in the tail end of the season to the point where he is now probably considered one of Brugge’s most important players, if not the most. He’s a lone 6 DM who has great balance, defensive position, agility and passing range. He is comfortable on the ball and will get involved in attacking moves. In general he has slowly improved across the board as a ball playing DM and if he continues to develop as well as has been he will become an excellent DM IMO. He’s the kind of player that a lower half PL club would pick up for a decent fee then be worth 2/3/4 times his value in a season or two. For me he is a very exciting younger DM option.



Maxim De Cuyper - 23 - LB - Brugge

Like Onydekia and Nusa I fully expect De Cuyper’s to be on the move this summer. Brugge have two very exciting young FB’s the other, much less developed one, I’ll mention bellow. De Cuyper is an excellent example of a creative LB, he currently has 12 assists and 4 goals in all comps this season and is a highly rated part of Brugge’s young back line. No other full back in the league has as many assists as him (7). He’s a very technical FB who thrives in the final third. He is a clever player who is very good at picking up dangerous positions down the flank and even cutting in on occasion when needed. He has an excellent range of delivery and will always be hunting for space to run into. He’s also a tireless worker and will run up and down the flank all day. He is also comfortable on his right foot resulting him being utilised as a RB from time to time. He has even started as a LCB. He is quick but he’s not blisteringly fast but on the defensive side his positioning makes up for any speed shortcomings.

Unfortunately I have a feeling he is suspended after reaching his yellow card limit after the last game but figured I’d list him anyway as I wanted to last week.

(This is the only highlight vid I could find of him, just skip past the interview and you will see some football)



Jorne Spileers -19 - R/LCB - Brugge

There is quite a bit of talk building about Spileers as a future star because really, he is another incredibly mature and measured defender despite being only 19. This kid seems very intelligent in his position and reading of the game. He is more a depth defender, preferring to sit deep, then a front footed one but he will step up when needed. He is right footed but comfortable using his left if called for. He actually has a good technical level but it’s taken him some time to build up the confidence to use it. He is comfortable on the ball but never really tries anything too adventurous when in possession. He never over plays and in general tends to play clinically and simply. He’s tall also and although he hasn’t yet got the strength you can tell it will come as he physically develops. He is also very good at positioning himself when defending against a long ball. Bayern Leverkusen have already been linked and it’s not hard to understand why from watching him. I do however think he maybe needs another season starting regularly before thinking about moving. Needs time to mature his all round game but a promising player.

It will be touch and go if Spileers will start the game through injury after a nasty concussion in the first leg. He has supposedly been declared fit after missing the weekend game tho. But I would also keep an eye on Joel Ordóñez, also 19, who will be his likely replacement if he doesn’t start.

(Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a highlight video of him)

Kyriani Sabbe - 19 - RB - Brugge

Sabbe is the newest addition to the back line and by no means a regular but he is rated by Brugge. Unfortunately a bad foot injury has largely derailed what I think would likely have been his breakout season but recently he has started getting a number of starts and if fit I would expect him to start tonight. Much like De Cuyper, Sabbe is comfortable with his weaker foot and capable of playing on both flanks. In general they share quite a few traits. He is maybe a little faster than De Cuyper but he needs to work on his acceleration. Sabbe is comfortable on the ball but won’t overrun it and on the whole shows good decision making, he will pick and choose his moments when to get forward. I’d say that at present you can tell he’s maybe playing a little within himself, from what i’ve seen at least, but you can see glimpses of a good RB in the making. In a few years I can see teams starting taking note but at present he is still very raw. An interesting young, technical FB who could have a bright future if he improves on his solid foundations.



Giannis Konstantelias - AM/LW - 21 - POAK

I must confess that I do not watch the Greek Super League. I know POAK are 3rd but thats about it. What I do know is that Konstantelias is one of the biggest young talents Greece has had in a minute and watching him it really doesn’t take long to understand why. Whilst I have not watched the Greek Super League and have no real intention to in the foreseeable future, I have watched POAK in Europe just so i could watch Konstantelias. This kid is class. How high his level is I don’t know but right now he looks to have the world at his feet. He is a simply fantastic dribbler of the ball who feels very comfortable surrounded by defenders, he’s nimble, audacious at times, moves between the lines seamlessly and has great vision. He also tracks back and puts in work. He only just turned 21 in March yet on the pitch he always looks like POAK’s most dangerous player by a mile. He almost scored an absolute wonder goal against Aberdeen earlier this season but hit the post. He is equally comfortable out left as he is central and will naturally drift between the two positions but he is a playmaker 100%. He is young and not everything he tries comes off but you can see that the kid is just a level above. Reason why I say i have no idea how good he could be is because he needs to play at a higher level and I’d be very surprised if nobody picked him up in the summer. If he doesn’t move soon tho he may end up stagnating which would be a shame as he looks to have all the tools to be a classy AM. A move to a mid level Spanish or Italian team where he is given a big role, like Soule was at Frosinone, would be great for him and I wouldn’t be surprised if in a 2 or 3 years he’s playing for a top European club.

 

[GioW]

I know most of you will be watching the Atalanta vs Pool game, as will I, but if any of you don’t fancy watching it or willing to get your VCR down from the attic then the second leg of the POAK vs Brugge game might be worth your attention. The tie is poised on a knife edge at 2-2 and being in Thessaloniki, this should be a very feisty affair.

Before the first leg there were reports that we were going to have scouts in attendance and I had wanted to highlight a few players, aside from Nusa, that one might want to keep an eye out for. Unfortunately the scouting thread got understandably shut down (not complaining, could see it was coming) so I didn’t get a chance to post but figured id do it for the second leg. Im not going to go into too much detail on players as I may do full profiles of those that might be of interest at a later date and I also don’t have the time atm. I just thought it might be interesting for those that don’t follow ether team to watch the players for themselves seeing as we know our scouts where there last time. TBH I have already mentioned most of them In the Nusa thread but figured i’d give a small paragraph to each. There are other players like Olsen, Thiago and Skóraś but they are more well know so didn’t think they need mentioning.

Raphael Onyedika - 22 - DM - Brugge

Onyedika’s rise has been a slow and steady one. Maybe due to the position he plays he has stayed out of the spotlight but in the last two years since joining from Midtjylland he has established himself as the backbone of a very exciting Brugge team. IMO it’s only a matter of time before a big club comes and picks him up as he seems to improve almost every time i’ve seen him. Case in point he has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 league games and he also won a pen against POAK. The lad is really coming into his own in the tail end of the season to the point where he is now probably considered one of Brugge’s most important players, if not the most. He’s a lone 6 DM who has great balance, defensive position, agility and passing range. He is comfortable on the ball and will get involved in attacking moves. In general he has slowly improved across the board as a ball playing DM and if he continues to develop as well as has been he will become an excellent DM IMO. He’s the kind of player that a lower half PL club would pick up for a decent fee then be worth 2/3/4 times his value in a season or two. For me he is a very exciting younger DM option.



Maxim De Cuyper - 23 - LB - Brugge

Like Onydekia and Nusa I fully expect De Cuyper’s to be on the move this summer. Brugge have two very exciting young FB’s the other, much less developed one, I’ll mention bellow. De Cuyper is an excellent example of a creative LB, he currently has 12 assists and 4 goals in all comps this season and is a highly rated part of Brugge’s young back line. No other full back in the league has as many assists as him (7). He’s a very technical FB who thrives in the final third. He is a clever player who is very good at picking up dangerous positions down the flank and even cutting in on occasion when needed. He has an excellent range of delivery and will always be hunting for space to run into. He’s also a tireless worker and will run up and down the flank all day. He is also comfortable on his right foot resulting him being utilised as a RB from time to time. He has even started as a LCB. He is quick but he’s not blisteringly fast but on the defensive side his positioning makes up for any speed shortcomings.

Unfortunately I have a feeling he is suspended after reaching his yellow card limit after the last game but figured I’d list him anyway as I wanted to last week.

(This is the only highlight vid I could find of him, just skip past the interview and you will see some football)



Jorne Spileers -19 - R/LCB - Brugge

There is quite a bit of talk building about Spileers as a future star because really, he is another incredibly mature and measured defender despite being only 19. This kid seems very intelligent in his position and reading of the game. He is more a depth defender, preferring to sit deep, then a front footed one but he will step up when needed. He is right footed but comfortable using his left if called for. He actually has a good technical level but it’s taken him some time to build up the confidence to use it. He is comfortable on the ball but never really tries anything too adventurous when in possession. He never over plays and in general tends to play clinically and simply. He’s tall also and although he hasn’t yet got the strength you can tell it will come as he physically develops. He is also very good at positioning himself when defending against a long ball. Bayern Leverkusen have already been linked and it’s not hard to understand why from watching him. I do however think he maybe needs another season starting regularly before thinking about moving. Needs time to mature his all round game but a promising player.

It will be touch and go if Spileers will start the game through injury after a nasty concussion in the first leg. He has supposedly been declared fit after missing the weekend game tho. But I would also keep an eye on Joel Ordóñez, also 19, who will be his likely replacement if he doesn’t start.

(Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a highlight video of him)

Kyriani Sabbe - 19 - RB - Brugge

Sabbe is the newest addition to the back line and by no means a regular but he is rated by Brugge. Unfortunately a bad foot injury has largely derailed what I think would likely have been his breakout season but recently he has started getting a number of starts and if fit I would expect him to start tonight. Much like De Cuyper, Sabbe is comfortable with his weaker foot and capable of playing on both flanks. In general they share quite a few traits. He is maybe a little faster than De Cuyper but he needs to work on his acceleration. Sabbe is comfortable on the ball but won’t overrun it and on the whole shows good decision making, he will pick and choose his moments when to get forward. I’d say that at present you can tell he’s maybe playing a little within himself, from what i’ve seen at least, but you can see glimpses of a good RB in the making. In a few years I can see teams starting taking note but at present he is still very raw. An interesting young, technical FB who could have a bright future if he improves on his solid foundations.



Giannis Konstantelias - AM/LW - 21 - POAK

I must confess that I do not watch the Greek Super League. I know POAK are 3rd but thats about it. What I do know is that Konstantelias is one of the biggest young talents Greece has had in a minute and watching him it really doesn’t take long to understand why. Whilst I have not watched the Greek Super League and have no real intention to in the foreseeable future, I have watched POAK in Europe just so i could watch Konstantelias. This kid is class. How high his level is I don’t know but right now he looks to have the world at his feet. He is a simply fantastic dribbler of the ball who feels very comfortable surrounded by defenders, he’s nimble, audacious at times, moves between the lines seamlessly and has great vision. He also tracks back and puts in work. He only just turned 21 in March yet on the pitch he always looks like POAK’s most dangerous player by a mile. He almost scored an absolute wonder goal against Aberdeen earlier this season but hit the post. He is equally comfortable out left as he is central and will naturally drift between the two positions but he is a playmaker 100%. He is young and not everything he tries comes off but you can see that the kid is just a level above. Reason why I say i have no idea how good he could be is because he needs to play at a higher level and I’d be very surprised if nobody picked him up in the summer. If he doesn’t move soon tho he may end up stagnating which would be a shame as he looks to have all the tools to be a classy AM. A move to a mid level Spanish or Italian team where he is given a big role, like Soule was at Frosinone, would be great for him and I wouldn’t be surprised if in a 2 or 3 years he’s playing for a top European club.

First leg finished 1-0 Brugge no?

 

[Ghost Hardware]

First leg finished 1-0 Brugge no?

Yes indeed it did. Thank you for pointing out the error, was watching highlights of another game whilst typing.

 

[GioW]

Yes indeed it did, from a pen. Thank you for pointing out the error, was watching highlights of another game whilst typing.

Ha not atall.

Just checking as I have Brugge in an acca tonight

Looking forward to reading your post once my boys are in bed

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Ha not atall.

Just checking as I have Brugge in an acca tonight

Looking forward to reading your post once my boys are in bed

I just remembered Thiago missed the pen as well , it was Vetlesen who scored. Ugh. This is what happens when I treat myself to an early Thursday pint or two whilst watching football.

 

[GioW]

I just remembered Thiago missed the pen as well , it was Vetlesen who scored. Ugh. This is what happens when I treat myself to an early Thursday pint or two whilst watching football.

Up your game

 

[felmani26]

I know most of you will be watching the Atalanta vs Pool game, as will I, but if any of you don’t fancy watching it or willing to get your VCR down from the attic then the second leg of the POAK vs Brugge game might be worth your attention. The tie is poised on a knife edge at 0-1 and being in Thessaloniki, this should be a very feisty affair.

Before the first leg there were reports that we were going to have scouts in attendance and I had wanted to highlight a few players, aside from Nusa, that one might want to keep an eye out for. Unfortunately the scouting thread got understandably shut down (not complaining, could see it was coming) so I didn’t get a chance to post but figured id do it for the second leg. Im not going to go into too much detail on players as I may do full profiles of those that might be of interest at a later date and I also don’t have the time atm. I just thought it might be interesting for those that don’t follow ether team to watch the players for themselves seeing as we know our scouts where there last time. TBH I have already mentioned most of them In the Nusa thread but figured i’d give a small paragraph to each. There are other players like Olsen, Thiago and Skóraś but they are more well know so didn’t think they need mentioning.

Raphael Onyedika - 22 - DM - Brugge

Onyedika’s rise has been a slow and steady one. Maybe due to the position he plays he has stayed out of the spotlight but in the last two years since joining from Midtjylland he has established himself as the backbone of a very exciting Brugge team. IMO it’s only a matter of time before a big club comes and picks him up as he seems to improve almost every time i’ve seen him. Case in point he has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 league games and he also won a pen against POAK. The lad is really coming into his own in the tail end of the season to the point where he is now probably considered one of Brugge’s most important players, if not the most. He’s a lone 6 DM who has great balance, defensive position, agility and passing range. He is comfortable on the ball and will get involved in attacking moves. In general he has slowly improved across the board as a ball playing DM and if he continues to develop as well as has been he will become an excellent DM IMO. He’s the kind of player that a lower half PL club would pick up for a decent fee then be worth 2/3/4 times his value in a season or two. For me he is a very exciting younger DM option.



Maxim De Cuyper - 23 - LB - Brugge

Like Onydekia and Nusa I fully expect De Cuyper’s to be on the move this summer. Brugge have two very exciting young FB’s the other, much less developed one, I’ll mention bellow. De Cuyper is an excellent example of a creative LB, he currently has 12 assists and 4 goals in all comps this season and is a highly rated part of Brugge’s young back line. No other full back in the league has as many assists as him (7). He’s a very technical FB who thrives in the final third. He is a clever player who is very good at picking up dangerous positions down the flank and even cutting in on occasion when needed. He has an excellent range of delivery and will always be hunting for space to run into. He’s also a tireless worker and will run up and down the flank all day. He is also comfortable on his right foot resulting him being utilised as a RB from time to time. He has even started as a LCB. He is quick but he’s not blisteringly fast but on the defensive side his positioning makes up for any speed shortcomings.

Unfortunately I have a feeling he is suspended after reaching his yellow card limit after the last game but figured I’d list him anyway as I wanted to last week.

(This is the only highlight vid I could find of him, just skip past the interview and you will see some football)



Jorne Spileers -19 - R/LCB - Brugge

There is quite a bit of talk building about Spileers as a future star because really, he is another incredibly mature and measured defender despite being only 19. This kid seems very intelligent in his position and reading of the game. He is more a depth defender, preferring to sit deep, then a front footed one but he will step up when needed. He is right footed but comfortable using his left if called for. He actually has a good technical level but it’s taken him some time to build up the confidence to use it. He is comfortable on the ball but never really tries anything too adventurous when in possession. He never over plays and in general tends to play clinically and simply. He’s tall also and although he hasn’t yet got the strength you can tell it will come as he physically develops. He is also very good at positioning himself when defending against a long ball. Bayern Leverkusen have already been linked and it’s not hard to understand why from watching him. I do however think he maybe needs another season starting regularly before thinking about moving. Needs time to mature his all round game but a promising player.

It will be touch and go if Spileers will start the game through injury after a nasty concussion in the first leg. He has supposedly been declared fit after missing the weekend game tho. But I would also keep an eye on Joel Ordóñez, also 19, who will be his likely replacement if he doesn’t start.

(Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a highlight video of him)

Kyriani Sabbe - 19 - RB - Brugge

Sabbe is the newest addition to the back line and by no means a regular but he is rated by Brugge. Unfortunately a bad foot injury has largely derailed what I think would likely have been his breakout season but recently he has started getting a number of starts and if fit I would expect him to start tonight. Much like De Cuyper, Sabbe is comfortable with his weaker foot and capable of playing on both flanks. In general they share quite a few traits. He is maybe a little faster than De Cuyper but he needs to work on his acceleration. Sabbe is comfortable on the ball but won’t overrun it and on the whole shows good decision making, he will pick and choose his moments when to get forward. I’d say that at present you can tell he’s maybe playing a little within himself, from what i’ve seen at least, but you can see glimpses of a good RB in the making. In a few years I can see teams starting taking note but at present he is still very raw. An interesting young, technical FB who could have a bright future if he improves on his solid foundations.



Giannis Konstantelias - AM/LW - 21 - POAK

I must confess that I do not watch the Greek Super League. I know POAK are 3rd but thats about it. What I do know is that Konstantelias is one of the biggest young talents Greece has had in a minute and watching him it really doesn’t take long to understand why. Whilst I have not watched the Greek Super League and have no real intention to in the foreseeable future, I have watched POAK in Europe just so i could watch Konstantelias. This kid is class. How high his level is I don’t know but right now he looks to have the world at his feet. He is a simply fantastic dribbler of the ball who feels very comfortable surrounded by defenders, he’s nimble, audacious at times, moves between the lines seamlessly and has great vision. He also tracks back and puts in work. He only just turned 21 in March yet on the pitch he always looks like POAK’s most dangerous player by a mile. He almost scored an absolute wonder goal against Aberdeen earlier this season but hit the post. He is equally comfortable out left as he is central and will naturally drift between the two positions but he is a playmaker 100%. He is young and not everything he tries comes off but you can see that the kid is just a level above. Reason why I say i have no idea how good he could be is because he needs to play at a higher level and I’d be very surprised if nobody picked him up in the summer. If he doesn’t move soon tho he may end up stagnating which would be a shame as he looks to have all the tools to be a classy AM. A move to a mid level Spanish or Italian team where he is given a big role, like Soule was at Frosinone, would be great for him and I wouldn’t be surprised if in a 2 or 3 years he’s playing for a top European club.

Top work there @Ghost Hardware

Indeed, lots of quality options to consider for us and If anyone can follow this up with a quick summary post match that would be great.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Top work there @Ghost Hardware

Indeed, lots of quality options to consider for us and If anyone can follow this up with a quick summary post match that would be great.

Thanks bud. I will probably watch it on repeat after the Pool game but I’m always interested in hearing other people’s perspectives of players so be good if someone else does as well.

 

[OPModric]

Really the most important position we need to upgrade is DM. Forwards and wingers will sort themselves out in the system, but if we can’t sort the DM position - the rest won’t matter. We can already score goals, but we need a sound DM who can tie everything together.

I agree DM is the most important upgrade, but I also think it's a tactical problem Ange has to solve. He must get the balance right at midfield and the way wingbacks cover midfield.

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

I'd like us to go for Lois Openda. I know he won't be cheap but he's explosive and he's a real threat.

Love Openda too, but we’re a window too late on this one I’m afraid. He’ll command a £70+ million fee now.

 

[Hertsspur10]

I'd love to see a physically capable #9 come in with good movement around the box. Initially I felt a smaller dynamic forward similar to Kyogo offered Ange's celtic side could be replicated but in the Premier league I'm not so sure. Hwang would probably be the closest within the prem to this style but I think I'm leaning towards preference of a bigger #9.

I believe Sesko has a €50m release clause and think that type of profile would be great. Scamacca as discussed earlier would be an intriguing option too. I know we have been linked with Giminez a lot and whilst I think he's a good finisher I'm not sure he has the turn of pace to make him a really significant upgrade on Richy. If we are heavily possession dominant against low blocks next season again maybe the pace over 20 yards+ won't be as important though.

Just some ideas and my first proper post like this in the thread so apologies if it doesn't fit the criteria.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I know most of you will be watching the Atalanta vs Pool game, as will I, but if any of you don’t fancy watching it or willing to get your VCR down from the attic then the second leg of the POAK vs Brugge game might be worth your attention. The tie is poised on a knife edge at 0-1 and being in Thessaloniki, this should be a very feisty affair.

Before the first leg there were reports that we were going to have scouts in attendance and I had wanted to highlight a few players, aside from Nusa, that one might want to keep an eye out for. Unfortunately the scouting thread got understandably shut down (not complaining, could see it was coming) so I didn’t get a chance to post but figured id do it for the second leg. Im not going to go into too much detail on players as I may do full profiles of those that might be of interest at a later date and I also don’t have the time atm. I just thought it might be interesting for those that don’t follow ether team to watch the players for themselves seeing as we know our scouts where there last time. TBH I have already mentioned most of them In the Nusa thread but figured i’d give a small paragraph to each. There are other players like Olsen, Thiago and Skóraś but they are more well know so didn’t think they need mentioning.

Raphael Onyedika - 22 - DM - Brugge

Onyedika’s rise has been a slow and steady one. Maybe due to the position he plays he has stayed out of the spotlight but in the last two years since joining from Midtjylland he has established himself as the backbone of a very exciting Brugge team. IMO it’s only a matter of time before a big club comes and picks him up as he seems to improve almost every time i’ve seen him. Case in point he has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 league games and he also won a pen against POAK. The lad is really coming into his own in the tail end of the season to the point where he is now probably considered one of Brugge’s most important players, if not the most. He’s a lone 6 DM who has great balance, defensive position, agility and passing range. He is comfortable on the ball and will get involved in attacking moves. In general he has slowly improved across the board as a ball playing DM and if he continues to develop as well as has been he will become an excellent DM IMO. He’s the kind of player that a lower half PL club would pick up for a decent fee then be worth 2/3/4 times his value in a season or two. For me he is a very exciting younger DM option.



Maxim De Cuyper - 23 - LB - Brugge

Like Onydekia and Nusa I fully expect De Cuyper’s to be on the move this summer. Brugge have two very exciting young FB’s the other, much less developed one, I’ll mention bellow. De Cuyper is an excellent example of a creative LB, he currently has 12 assists and 4 goals in all comps this season and is a highly rated part of Brugge’s young back line. No other full back in the league has as many assists as him (7). He’s a very technical FB who thrives in the final third. He is a clever player who is very good at picking up dangerous positions down the flank and even cutting in on occasion when needed. He has an excellent range of delivery and will always be hunting for space to run into. He’s also a tireless worker and will run up and down the flank all day. He is also comfortable on his right foot resulting him being utilised as a RB from time to time. He has even started as a LCB. He is quick but he’s not blisteringly fast but on the defensive side his positioning makes up for any speed shortcomings.

Unfortunately I have a feeling he is suspended after reaching his yellow card limit after the last game but figured I’d list him anyway as I wanted to last week.

(This is the only highlight vid I could find of him, just skip past the interview and you will see some football)



Jorne Spileers -19 - R/LCB - Brugge

There is quite a bit of talk building about Spileers as a future star because really, he is another incredibly mature and measured defender despite being only 19. This kid seems very intelligent in his position and reading of the game. He is more a depth defender, preferring to sit deep, then a front footed one but he will step up when needed. He is right footed but comfortable using his left if called for. He actually has a good technical level but it’s taken him some time to build up the confidence to use it. He is comfortable on the ball but never really tries anything too adventurous when in possession. He never over plays and in general tends to play clinically and simply. He’s tall also and although he hasn’t yet got the strength you can tell it will come as he physically develops. He is also very good at positioning himself when defending against a long ball. Bayern Leverkusen have already been linked and it’s not hard to understand why from watching him. I do however think he maybe needs another season starting regularly before thinking about moving. Needs time to mature his all round game but a promising player.

It will be touch and go if Spileers will start the game through injury after a nasty concussion in the first leg. He has supposedly been declared fit after missing the weekend game tho. But I would also keep an eye on Joel Ordóñez, also 19, who will be his likely replacement if he doesn’t start.

(Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a highlight video of him)

Kyriani Sabbe - 19 - RB - Brugge

Sabbe is the newest addition to the back line and by no means a regular but he is rated by Brugge. Unfortunately a bad foot injury has largely derailed what I think would likely have been his breakout season but recently he has started getting a number of starts and if fit I would expect him to start tonight. Much like De Cuyper, Sabbe is comfortable with his weaker foot and capable of playing on both flanks. In general they share quite a few traits. He is maybe a little faster than De Cuyper but he needs to work on his acceleration. Sabbe is comfortable on the ball but won’t overrun it and on the whole shows good decision making, he will pick and choose his moments when to get forward. I’d say that at present you can tell he’s maybe playing a little within himself, from what i’ve seen at least, but you can see glimpses of a good RB in the making. In a few years I can see teams starting taking note but at present he is still very raw. An interesting young, technical FB who could have a bright future if he improves on his solid foundations.



Giannis Konstantelias - AM/LW - 21 - POAK

I must confess that I do not watch the Greek Super League. I know POAK are 3rd but thats about it. What I do know is that Konstantelias is one of the biggest young talents Greece has had in a minute and watching him it really doesn’t take long to understand why. Whilst I have not watched the Greek Super League and have no real intention to in the foreseeable future, I have watched POAK in Europe just so i could watch Konstantelias. This kid is class. How high his level is I don’t know but right now he looks to have the world at his feet. He is a simply fantastic dribbler of the ball who feels very comfortable surrounded by defenders, he’s nimble, audacious at times, moves between the lines seamlessly and has great vision. He also tracks back and puts in work. He only just turned 21 in March yet on the pitch he always looks like POAK’s most dangerous player by a mile. He almost scored an absolute wonder goal against Aberdeen earlier this season but hit the post. He is equally comfortable out left as he is central and will naturally drift between the two positions but he is a playmaker 100%. He is young and not everything he tries comes off but you can see that the kid is just a level above. Reason why I say i have no idea how good he could be is because he needs to play at a higher level and I’d be very surprised if nobody picked him up in the summer. If he doesn’t move soon tho he may end up stagnating which would be a shame as he looks to have all the tools to be a classy AM. A move to a mid level Spanish or Italian team where he is given a big role, like Soule was at Frosinone, would be great for him and I wouldn’t be surprised if in a 2 or 3 years he’s playing for a top European club.

Nusa, Onyedika, Sabbe, Skóraś and Ordóñez start, Konstantelias and Spileers on bench.

 

[Pochemon94]

If we are to spend bigly on any position this year it has to be on the dm. For me that player is Kimmich.

He's a senior pro, an adult, a winner for what is the single most important position in the team. The position requires enormous ammounts of concentration and responsibility and that comes with experience.

As much as I like the skills of the other options, they are all sub 25yrs old and will take too much time to get there. The only alternative would be Paulinha.

Plus he is comfortable at rb so would be great cover for Porro if he's injured and would add something as opposed to Emerson.

Spend the rest on young, talented but unproven wingers and AMs. With a senior DM anchoring, they have more safety from which to learn.

I want this to happen but I just don't see it.

Unfortunately I just have that gut feeling he ends up going to Arsenal because they will offer him 350K per week or something absurd. This is based on literally nothing but just a feeling.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I know everyone is understandably more concerned with how we should be strengthening the first team this summer then looking towards the future but I think every window we should always have one eye, or half of one eye, on future talents. Especially future talents who if purchased now will one day be HG. Alongside that I have also been thinking about left footed right wingers. So with that in mind I figured I'd profile one that in a few years could develop into a very interesting player indeed...

Roger Fernandes -RW/LW/LB - 18 - Braga FC

Roger has a rather fascinating background. I’ve read numerous reports on him and there seems to be a few varying in the details. From what i can gather when he was 13 his family moved to Portugal from Bissau but due his status as a minor and not holding a Portuguese passport he wasn’t allowed to play for a professional team until he turned 15. Where the details are a little hazy is the reason he moved to Portugal. I have read one account suggesting that it was Braga who brought him over with the intention of signing him when he turned 15, which they did. What is certain is that before moving to Portugal he had never played club football in his native Guinea Bissau. How then did Braga find him? This move wouldn’t be completely out of the blue as Guinea Bissau was once a Portuguese colony with ties still reming, apparently a few Portugese teams scout there, and also Roger has three cousins playing professional football, two of which where playing for Sporting at the time although now one is at Lazio and the other is at Hatayspor. Beyond that it’s hard to find much more information about his past nor what he was doing for the 2 years after he moved to Portugal. It is a safe assumption that if Braga were somewhat involved in his move then even if he wasn’t officially playing for them due to league issues they probably would have been involved in “suggesting” his football education.

What i do know for sure tho is that straight after signing for Braga in 2021 he became the youngest ever participant in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira at only 15 years and 8 months and a few months later he became Braga’s youngest ever goalscorer. Half a year later at only 16 years and 1 month he went on to become the youngest ever goalscorer in Liga Portugal, in between that he became the youngest goalscorer in the Taça de Portugal… safe to say he made an impression during his first season even if we only saw glimpses of him in the first team. He was by no means a regular at all but what he was doing after joining at such a young age with no professional football background was rather remarkable.

What i find fascinating is how he came to be involved in first team at only 15, there is an interesting interview with then manager Carlos Carvalhal about Roger and I think it gives a great insight into the lads mentality. “Roger started to train, and I liked what I saw from the first ball contact onwards. I liked what I saw, and I right away moved him to the first team for the first test match against Vizela. When I got home that evening, I watched the game again like I always do. One of my worries was Roger’s offensive and defensive positioning, and I watched to take notes for corrections, but after 45 minutes, my piece of paper was empty. I was fascinated! How is it possible that this boy has already identified the way we played?! He didn’t watch Barcelona or Liverpool. He watched the team he wanted to play in… I have never seen something like it. I think it is a positive example for all those who want to play in the first team of their respective clubs. I don’t know whether Roger will become a big player, but he is certainly on the right path, there is no doubt.”

The question is then, why if he was already quietly making waves as a 15 year old back in the 21/22 season why have we never heard of him and why is he not on every list of best young talent in the world? Well unfortunately his first season was cut short in Feb 22 after breaking his foot then that summer Carvalhal was sacked and replaced by Artur Jorge who didn’t see a spot in the first team for Roger so instead moved him to the youth team for the season. Jorge had a good effect on Braga leading them to a 3rd place league finish but not so much for Roger. In his second year at Braga he had a decent season in the b team assisting 7 and scoring 1 in 19 games but not enough to earn him a move to the first team so remind where he was for the start of 23/24 campaign.

This season is were things dramatically changed for the youngster. He started of the first half of the season racking up 4 assists and 1 goal in 7 games for the B team which earned him a permanent move up to the senior squad where he would go on to feature in pretty much every comp they were in to one degree or another. In reality he only begun to get regular starts this February but since then he has been pretty much undroppable due to his exceptional performances. In just 670 mins of league football spread across 14 games and only 7 starts he has amassed 7 assists and 2 goals. His form in the back half of this season has caused everyone to start taking notice of this only recently turned 18 year old winger.

As a player Roger is an intelligent, very fast, very technical touchline winger with a great delivery, balance and solid work rate. He started out being used as a LB but was swiftly moved further up field as it was clear that is where his strengths lie. After being moved up to LW he has really started to find a home on the RW now but really is equally skilled on ether flank. What strikes me most is his reading of the game, he has very good movement out of possession and is able to constantly pick up pockets of space that allow him to be a wide passing outlet whilst also setting him up to effect the game further up the field. As i mentioned he primarily likes to hug the touchline but will also look to drift into a defenders blind spot to receive the ball. Due to his pace he is always dangerous in behind and no FB will want to be left one on one with him. In general he often seems to look for favourable 1 v 1 match ups and he is extremely good in them. Also despite on the shorter side, he's 5'6", he has no issue with the physical aspect of the game and will have no issues with going shoulder to shoulder with an opponent

His in game intelligence also extends to his delivery, he is good at spotting a run early but is also good at offloading a the right moment. This is backed up by a solid passing and crossing technique that allows him to float or drive balls into the box, so far this season he has created an impressive 16 chances in his relatively short time on the field. Really tho he is a fast, aggressive 1v1 winger who loves to run at defenders but wont tend to get tunnel vision and is always looking to open up space for the pass or shot and get in the box, he averages around 1.47 successful dribbles per game with a 45.8% success rate, which is very good for a attacking winger especially one so young (by comparison Nico Williams has a 46.5% success rate) and he averages around 4.96 touches in the opposition box which is up there with the best in the league. His assit numbers this season are good example of his vision and ability to see an attack unfold.

(Usually I would stick in his fber stats here but for some reason they have him down as midfielder rather then a WF so the percentiles are somewhat skewed but from a numbers perspective)

The other thing that impresses me is his defensive ability. Due to his time playing as a LB Roger has very good tackling ability, he will often look to press the opposition and averages around 2.14 tackles per game winning 1.47% of them. Most them come in the middle or final third tho. When watching Roger he does put in the defensive work but I think he could up his game in his own half. This is actually a similar issue I have with Bakayoko who will press in the opposition half but tends to shut off a bit once the ball gets into his own half. With Roger tho Its not a major concern as you can see he has the ability to do so but as with a lot of his skill's he needs fine tuning.

Here is basic outline of the majority of his ball recoveries this season to give an idea of the areas he works hardest in without the ball. As you can see he would certainly suit a high pressing team.

In terms of negatives, this kid is still very raw. I don't think I can reiterate this enough. Its really worth keeping in mind that he has only started a handful of professional games and not only that he doesn’t come from a club background. Because of this on the one hand it makes his natural ability even more impressive, especially his in game intellect, but he obviously still needs a lot of refining around the tactical fundamentals. This isn't something that would take to long tho i think as every time i've seen him he seems to be evolving at incredibly rapid pace plus I think back to those quotes by Carvalhal. Beyond that like most youngsters he can sometimes force a situation in the final third rather then taking a moment to reassess, but thats fairly normal for all the young wingers I’ve watched. I also think he needs to use his right foot more, he actually has a pretty strong right foot and i’ve seen him hit some convincing efforts with it but he doesn’t use it enough for me. He tends to prefer to use the comfort of his left. But unlike some left footed right wingers i do think he has the ability to but its just about building the confidence to utilise it more. And he has improved on this, reading back reports from his time in the B team last season he seemed have a complete aversion to using it but now he will actually pass and shoot with it. Obviously that also means he often cuts onto his left into the box a lot and whilst he will on occasion hit the early right foot effort its certainly something that needs to be worked on to stop him becoming predictable. Aside from that In general although he does poses impressive in game intelligence you can see at times his tactical and decision making naïvety will come through. But this is a kid who just turned 18 in November, he is obviously a work in progress.

In regards to his future, it is very much up in the air. Braga have been trying to renew his contract which runs out in 2025 but Roger has been reluctant to do so. According to the latest reports this has been met with Braga now demoting Roger back to the under 23’s. If so it’s safe to say his future will not be at Braga next season as I doubt this move will encourage him to change his mind. Reports are also coming out that Newcastle are interested in picking him up and have supposedly been following him since last summer. Considering his likely low fee and the fact he will be granted HG status if he joins this summer (his 19th birthday is in November) then I can certainly see a very big appeal in grabbing him now.

All in all I think Roger is a very exciting young talent, one who has incredible natural ability but needs a lot of refining in order to realise his full potential. He would 100% be a project signing but in the right set up where he is nurtured and given space to grow i think he could really become a top class talent. For any team buying him he needs to be given time but also as much first team football as possible. A purchase and a loan to the Eredivisie would be a sensible move on paper as long as the right manager/project was chosen.

Here are the highlights of Bragas win against Portimonense where Roger scored one and assisted two (roger is No 11) followed by your normal youtube skill highlight vid





I had intended to do a Belgium league profile this weekend but I think i'm going to try and enjoy life outside instead.

As always, thanks for reading

 

[Snarfalicious]

I had intended to do a Belgium league profile this weekend but I think i'm going to try and enjoy life outside instead.

As always, thanks for reading

The hell you are, get back to work. It’s not safe outside, and we need more content.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

I know most of you will be watching the Atalanta vs Pool game, as will I, but if any of you don’t fancy watching it or willing to get your VCR down from the attic then the second leg of the POAK vs Brugge game might be worth your attention. The tie is poised on a knife edge at 0-1 and being in Thessaloniki, this should be a very feisty affair.

Before the first leg there were reports that we were going to have scouts in attendance and I had wanted to highlight a few players, aside from Nusa, that one might want to keep an eye out for. Unfortunately the scouting thread got understandably shut down (not complaining, could see it was coming) so I didn’t get a chance to post but figured id do it for the second leg. Im not going to go into too much detail on players as I may do full profiles of those that might be of interest at a later date and I also don’t have the time atm. I just thought it might be interesting for those that don’t follow ether team to watch the players for themselves seeing as we know our scouts where there last time. TBH I have already mentioned most of them In the Nusa thread but figured i’d give a small paragraph to each. There are other players like Olsen, Thiago and Skóraś but they are more well know so didn’t think they need mentioning.

Raphael Onyedika - 22 - DM - Brugge

Onyedika’s rise has been a slow and steady one. Maybe due to the position he plays he has stayed out of the spotlight but in the last two years since joining from Midtjylland he has established himself as the backbone of a very exciting Brugge team. IMO it’s only a matter of time before a big club comes and picks him up as he seems to improve almost every time i’ve seen him. Case in point he has 3 goals and 1 assist in his last 4 league games and he also won a pen against POAK. The lad is really coming into his own in the tail end of the season to the point where he is now probably considered one of Brugge’s most important players, if not the most. He’s a lone 6 DM who has great balance, defensive position, agility and passing range. He is comfortable on the ball and will get involved in attacking moves. In general he has slowly improved across the board as a ball playing DM and if he continues to develop as well as has been he will become an excellent DM IMO. He’s the kind of player that a lower half PL club would pick up for a decent fee then be worth 2/3/4 times his value in a season or two. For me he is a very exciting younger DM option.



Maxim De Cuyper - 23 - LB - Brugge

Like Onydekia and Nusa I fully expect De Cuyper’s to be on the move this summer. Brugge have two very exciting young FB’s the other, much less developed one, I’ll mention bellow. De Cuyper is an excellent example of a creative LB, he currently has 12 assists and 4 goals in all comps this season and is a highly rated part of Brugge’s young back line. No other full back in the league has as many assists as him (7). He’s a very technical FB who thrives in the final third. He is a clever player who is very good at picking up dangerous positions down the flank and even cutting in on occasion when needed. He has an excellent range of delivery and will always be hunting for space to run into. He’s also a tireless worker and will run up and down the flank all day. He is also comfortable on his right foot resulting him being utilised as a RB from time to time. He has even started as a LCB. He is quick but he’s not blisteringly fast but on the defensive side his positioning makes up for any speed shortcomings.

Unfortunately I have a feeling he is suspended after reaching his yellow card limit after the last game but figured I’d list him anyway as I wanted to last week.

(This is the only highlight vid I could find of him, just skip past the interview and you will see some football)



Jorne Spileers -19 - R/LCB - Brugge

There is quite a bit of talk building about Spileers as a future star because really, he is another incredibly mature and measured defender despite being only 19. This kid seems very intelligent in his position and reading of the game. He is more a depth defender, preferring to sit deep, then a front footed one but he will step up when needed. He is right footed but comfortable using his left if called for. He actually has a good technical level but it’s taken him some time to build up the confidence to use it. He is comfortable on the ball but never really tries anything too adventurous when in possession. He never over plays and in general tends to play clinically and simply. He’s tall also and although he hasn’t yet got the strength you can tell it will come as he physically develops. He is also very good at positioning himself when defending against a long ball. Bayern Leverkusen have already been linked and it’s not hard to understand why from watching him. I do however think he maybe needs another season starting regularly before thinking about moving. Needs time to mature his all round game but a promising player.

It will be touch and go if Spileers will start the game through injury after a nasty concussion in the first leg. He has supposedly been declared fit after missing the weekend game tho. But I would also keep an eye on Joel Ordóñez, also 19, who will be his likely replacement if he doesn’t start.

(Unfortunately I haven’t been able to find a highlight video of him)

Kyriani Sabbe - 19 - RB - Brugge

Sabbe is the newest addition to the back line and by no means a regular but he is rated by Brugge. Unfortunately a bad foot injury has largely derailed what I think would likely have been his breakout season but recently he has started getting a number of starts and if fit I would expect him to start tonight. Much like De Cuyper, Sabbe is comfortable with his weaker foot and capable of playing on both flanks. In general they share quite a few traits. He is maybe a little faster than De Cuyper but he needs to work on his acceleration. Sabbe is comfortable on the ball but won’t overrun it and on the whole shows good decision making, he will pick and choose his moments when to get forward. I’d say that at present you can tell he’s maybe playing a little within himself, from what i’ve seen at least, but you can see glimpses of a good RB in the making. In a few years I can see teams starting taking note but at present he is still very raw. An interesting young, technical FB who could have a bright future if he improves on his solid foundations.



Giannis Konstantelias - AM/LW - 21 - POAK

I must confess that I do not watch the Greek Super League. I know POAK are 3rd but thats about it. What I do know is that Konstantelias is one of the biggest young talents Greece has had in a minute and watching him it really doesn’t take long to understand why. Whilst I have not watched the Greek Super League and have no real intention to in the foreseeable future, I have watched POAK in Europe just so i could watch Konstantelias. This kid is class. How high his level is I don’t know but right now he looks to have the world at his feet. He is a simply fantastic dribbler of the ball who feels very comfortable surrounded by defenders, he’s nimble, audacious at times, moves between the lines seamlessly and has great vision. He also tracks back and puts in work. He only just turned 21 in March yet on the pitch he always looks like POAK’s most dangerous player by a mile. He almost scored an absolute wonder goal against Aberdeen earlier this season but hit the post. He is equally comfortable out left as he is central and will naturally drift between the two positions but he is a playmaker 100%. He is young and not everything he tries comes off but you can see that the kid is just a level above. Reason why I say i have no idea how good he could be is because he needs to play at a higher level and I’d be very surprised if nobody picked him up in the summer. If he doesn’t move soon tho he may end up stagnating which would be a shame as he looks to have all the tools to be a classy AM. A move to a mid level Spanish or Italian team where he is given a big role, like Soule was at Frosinone, would be great for him and I wouldn’t be surprised if in a 2 or 3 years he’s playing for a top European club.

And just to briefly cover the post match on this as I said I would..

Nusa had a largely anonymous game. Was disappointing tbh, dawdled on the ball and made some really pore decisions in the final third. One to forget from him.

Onyedika was largely solid, started both half’s a little off the pace but certainly grew into it as the game progressed. Had some nice controlled moments after he got up to pace.

Ordóñez impressed me in the back line, he looked assured and comfortable on the ball. Played some nice long passes and shut down the opposition attack well.

Konstantelias came on in the 70th min when the game was pretty much over and really it just made you wonder why he didn’t start. He didn’t succeed in changing the game but certainly looked more dynamic than the rest of POAK’s attack within minutes. A packed box made it almost impossible for him to do much. Poor move not starting him imo unless he wasn’t fully fit.

Sabbe was fantastic, best player on the pitch. Got an excellent assist and in general controlled the right flank superbly. Incredibly mature performance from the lad. Surprised me, really impressed me a lot. Certainly one to watch in the future.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

@Ghost Hardware I watched the game back on the app this morning and finished it at lunchtime.

Onyedika and Sabbe the best players for me.

Really interested in us looking at Sabbe as potential RB competition.

As for Onyedika, I love how he keeps the ball moving nicely and he finds a hell of a lot of forward passes through the lines. Really impressive although I’d also like to see a bit more longe range switches of play etc.

He certainly plays the game at his own tempo and I think this could be both a strength but also potentially a weakness in a higher intensity league.

In all honesty he looks way too good for that level. My only questions marks with him are how would he cope with the speed and intensity of the PL. As I said he trots around a lot but to be fair his positioning generally seems very good.

His other question mark for me is his sideways agility. What I mean by that is a couple of times players evaded him to the side quite easily and he got beaten. That could be a bit of a problem in the PL but of course it’s something he can work on improving.

Overall though I really like him and the way he dictates their play so calmly in midfield, as well as constantly appearing in the right areas to break up opposition attacks.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

@Ghost Hardware I watched the game back on the app this morning and finished it at lunchtime.

Onyedika and Sabbe the best players for me.

Really interested in us looking at Sabbe as potential RB competition.

As for Onyedika, I love how he keeps the ball moving nicely and he finds a hell of a lot of forward passes through the lines. Really impressive although I’d also like to see a bit more longe range switches of play etc.

He certainly plays the game at his own tempo and I think this could be both a strength but also potentially a weakness in a higher intensity league.

In all honesty he looks way too good for that level. My only questions marks with him are how would he cope with the speed and intensity of the PL. As I said he trots around a lot but to be fair his positioning generally seems very good.

His other question mark for me is his sideways agility. What I mean by that is a couple of times players evaded him to the side quite easily and he got beaten. That could be a bit of a problem in the PL but of course it’s something he can work on improving.

Overall though I really like him and the way he dictates their play so calmly in midfield, as well as constantly appearing in the right areas to break up opposition attacks.

Absolutely perfectly put! I think he has to move this summer to a tougher league. I agree with you that he will only improve by that. His passing between the lines is so effortless like you say. I think as he grows he will start to control games more and more but he needs a step up. He is only 22 and there are certainly still weaknesses there that you point out excellently.

As an aside, how good does Sabbe look!