Player Scouting
Observation and evaluation of individual performance
Analysis of player behaviour across the different phases of the game, to identify strengths, weaknesses and fit within different playing models. The first report covers a player I coached directly; the rest are external analyses, based on match footage.
Player 01
Carlos Espí — Real Madrid
Connection with the player
I coached Carlos Espí at UD Alzira. At 16 he was promoted to the first team, in the National Youth League, and he finished that season with us. Before it ended, he signed for Levante UD. This report combines that direct relationship with tracking his later development — which has now led to a move to Real Madrid.
Tactical profile
Carlos Espí is a forward able to combine link-up play with his back to goal, attack depth and actively take part in the team’s offensive structure. He stands out for his constant mobility, reading of space and aggression in finishing situations.
- Movement outside the box
- Associative play
- Pressing after losing the ball
- Reading of runs
Offensive phase
His mobility is one of his main strengths: he makes short support runs, runs in behind and drags centre-backs out of position, leaving the fixed finishing zone to create interior spaces. In link-up play he protects the ball well and provides continuity to positional attacks, and in attacking space he reads diagonal runs well.
- Aggressive profile in the box, alert to rebounds and with good timing of runs
- Capable of finishing first-time and in dynamic situations
- To improve: finishing under pressure and consistency in the final action
Defensive phase
He takes an active part in high pressing, reading well when to jump and when to hold position. An engaged player without the ball, who doesn’t switch off defensively and maintains a willingness for collective effort — an aspect especially valued in organised pressing models.
Transitions
- Offensive: very useful in fast attacks, pins centre-backs and attacks free space
- Defensive: reacts quickly after losing the ball, with initial intensity and a willingness to recover it
Strengths
- Constant mobility
- Reading of space
- Associative play and pressing after losing the ball
- Ability to pin defenders and make runs in behind
Areas for improvement
- Consistency in finishing
- Greater aerial aggression
- Decision-making in the final third
Tactical fit
- Favourable systems: 1-4-3-3, 1-4-2-3-1, dynamic 1-4-4-2
- Ideal contexts: vertical teams, with high pressing and fast transitions
Conclusion
Carlos Espí is a modern, mobile and involved forward, able to contribute both in finishing and in offensive structure. An especially interesting profile for teams that prioritise offensive mobility, pressing after losing the ball and vertical attacks.
Recommended — track record already validated
Player 02
Javi Guerra — Valencia CF
General profile
A midfielder with great physical capacity and range, able to take part in both phases of the game. He stands out for his progressive carrying, arrivals from the second line and ability to break lines with the ball. A box-to-box profile, useful in transition contexts and high-tempo matches.
Offensive phase
- Good ball-carrying in open space and ability to beat lines through carrying
- Solid short and medium passing
- Arrives in the box from the second line
- Constant mobility and appearances in the finishing zone
Defensive phase
- Good physical capacity for pressing
- Active involvement in recovery runs
- Correct occupation of space in the mid-block
- To improve: consistency in duels and defensive tactical reading
Transitions
- Offensive: very dangerous carrying the ball after a recovery, breaks opposition lines and provides depth in few touches
- Defensive: good reaction after losing the ball, needs to improve decision-making under pressure
Strengths
- Progressive ball-carrying
- Physical power
- Arrivals in the box
- Transition ability
Areas for improvement
- Consistency in decision-making
- Defensive positioning
- Playing under pressure in tight spaces
Tactical fit
- Suited to 4-3-3 systems as an interior, systems with fast transitions and teams with vertical play
- Less suited to very slow possession-based models or high-density, tight-space contexts
Conclusion
Javi Guerra is a midfielder with great potential, standing out for his physical capacity, ball-carrying and arrivals from the second line. His profile fits especially well with high-tempo teams and fast transitions, where he can exploit his ability to break lines and create advantages in the opposition half.
Player 03
Martín Zubimendi — Arsenal FC
General profile
A positional pivot with high tactical intelligence, key to organising play and the team’s balance.
Offensive phase
- Excellent positioning in build-up
- High accuracy in short and medium passing
- Ability to give continuity to play
Defensive phase
- Excellent game reading
- Intercepts passing lanes
- Organises the defensive block
Transitions
- Security after regaining the ball
- Facilitates offensive reorganisation
Strengths
- Tactical intelligence
- Positioning
- Passing reliability
Areas for improvement
- Lower impact in the final third
Tactical fit
Ideal for possession and control-based teams.
Conclusion
Zubimendi is an organising pivot, reliable in circulation and key to giving positional balance to teams that prioritise possession and match control.
Player 04
Max Dowman — Arsenal FC
General profile
A young player with great technical talent and creativity.
Offensive phase
- 1v1 ability
- Play between the lines
- Creativity in the final third
Defensive phase
- Limited involvement
- Needs tactical development
Transitions
Vertical and aggressive in possession.
Strengths
- Talent
- Creativity
- Take-on ability
Areas for improvement
- Consistency
- Defensive phase
Conclusion
Dowman is a young profile with great technical projection, with tactical and defensive room to grow ahead of him.
Player 05
Jérémy Doku — Manchester City FC
Tactical profile
Jérémy Doku is an explosive, vertical and highly unbalancing winger, specialised in one-on-one situations and offensive progression. His main impact comes through offensive width, acceleration and breaking lines through carrying — he disrupts opposition defensive structures through speed, change of pace and take-on ability.
Offensive phase
His greatest strength is the 1v1: he eliminates opponents through carrying, beats defenders in tight spaces and creates constant advantages through explosive changes of direction. He pins the opposition full-back very well, stretching the block and freeing up interior spaces for attacking midfielders and interiors. In progression he’s able to cover ground quickly and break lines through carrying.
- Generates a large offensive volume through crosses and cutbacks
- To improve: final decision-making, consistency in finishing and composure in the final third
Defensive phase
He takes an active part in pressing after losing the ball, with initial aggression and speed of activation. Willing to put in defensive effort, though his main impact remains in the offensive phase — he needs to improve sustained defensive concentration and tracking back.
Transitions
- Offensive: one of the most dangerous profiles in Europe in open play, through acceleration and ability to attack large spaces
- Defensive: triggers immediate pressing after losing the ball, his speed allows him to recover position and chase down opponents
Strengths
- Differential 1v1 ability and explosive acceleration
- Change of pace and progression through carrying
- Offensive width and ability to break lines
Areas for improvement
- Final decision-making and consistency in the last pass
- Composure in finishing zones
- Defensive continuity
Tactical fit
- Favourable systems: 1-4-3-3, 1-4-2-3-1, structures with wide-open wingers
- Ideal contexts: vertical, dominant teams, with offensive width and high pressing after losing the ball
Conclusion
Jérémy Doku is an explosive, vertical winger, specialised in individual unbalancing and offensive progression. His ability to create advantages through carrying and one-on-one situations makes him a constant threat in open contexts and dynamic attacks.
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