Mattinson scouts: 5 wonder kids to watch in the Champions League Tuesday
Ben Mattinson has scoured Europe to help you figure out what players to watch this week in the UEFA Champions League
Rant Sports tactical football genius Ben Mattinson has been busy.
He has been scouring video of players all across Europe, looking for hidden gem players that you might not know as a household name–yet–but will soon be in the news, with teams all over the planet clamoring to get these players into their starting XI.
Basically, when he talks about a player, YOU SHOULD LISTEN!!!
Mattinson has broken down both of the UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 dates–Tuesday and Wednesday–and has found five players on each day that you should be watching. These players will soon be making big money moves to huge European giants, and YOU will be the first to know.
So here is the Tuesday list.
Ayyoub Bouaddi – LOSC Lille, 17, CM
The 17-year-old midfielder had his first ever start in the Champions League against Real Madrid and sat at the base of midfield dictating the tempo of the game and breaking up play from deep.
Bouaddi is uber-composed on the ball and never looks under pressure due to how effortless he escapes danger. His ability to cut through the defence with his passing enables him to be a deep-lying-playmaker. Not only that, even though he still has to grow into his lanky frame, his long legs help him reach further in tackles and he has the ability to sweep the ball off attackers with ease.
Yáser Asprilla – Girona, 20, RW
The Colombian winger signed from Watford in the summer after reaching the final of the Copa América with his national team. Although he had a small role within the squad, there’s no doubt Asprilla will be a key player for Colombia in the future.
The rangy winger/attacking-midfielder hybrid is a dangerous creative outlet with a killer final ball, the vision to consistently pick out players in space and a rocket of a left foot shooting from distance.
Tygo Land – PSV Eindhoven, 18, CM
PSV have created their very own Frenkie De Jong. Tygo Land is an all-phase central midfielder with so much ability carrying the ball. Land is a press resistant playmaker who’s so skilled at progressing the ball from deep. His ability to remain composure under pressure and intelligence on the ball helps him recycle and retain possession with ease – a valuable trait for a modern midfielder.
Martin Baturina – Dinamo Zagreb, 21, AM
Despite being such a small nation, Croatia has recently produced a lot of technical players, particularly midfielders. 2018’s Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić was the leader of the previous generation, and the leader of the next generation is Martin Baturina.
The Zagreb prospect plays as either a #8 in midfield or #10 behind the striker. In either of these positions his main role is chance creation and linking the midfield and attack. Baturina will drift around the pockets in between the opponent’s defence and midfield to exploit any spaces left behind. It’s in these spaces where he’s able pass through to runners in behind the defense and is a threat shooting from distance on both feet.
Eliesse Ben Seghir – AS Monaco, 19, LW
Monaco’s academy has brought us so many top-class players in the past. Thierry Henry, Kylian Mbappé and Emmanuel Petit to name a few. One of those next up is Eliesse Ben Seghir. He tends to play off the left wing or behind the striker as a #10/second striker. Around these areas he’ll constantly look to shift the ball quickly to manipulate space for him to shoot. Ben Seghir is capable of magical moments out of nothing. Be on the lookout for him.
Ben Mattinson is a sports journalist with a passion for football, data analytics, and player recruitment. Specializing in player analysis, he blends statistical insight with tactical understanding to provide in-depth content on player performance. Currently pursuing an MSc in Data Analytics in Football, Ben applies advanced analytics to real-world football strategy, offering nuanced perspectives on talent evaluation and recruitment.
An advocate for data-driven player scouting, Ben uses his analytical expertise to identify hidden gems and assess players’ potential, helping teams refine their recruitment strategies. With a focus on merging storytelling with data, he aims to bridge the gap between analytics and football, delivering valuable insights to both fans and professionals in the game.
