Ângelo Gabriel: Why the Santos teen has been linked with Newcastle

In late 2017, only four years after Neymar’s departure to Barcelona, Rodrygo made his professional debut for Santos. Not long after, Florentino Pérez came knocking into the Vila Belmiro to sign the young star for Real Madrid. Rodrygo was proof that lightning, at least in Santos, can strike multiple times in the same place.

Throughout football history, Santos have always produced talented stars who have gone on to shine on the global stage. However, every now and then, a special one arises. These are not simply players you can’t take yours off, but players you become addicted to. In the early 2010s, Neymar took the world by storm with his daring and entertaining style of play. Rodrygo has gone on to help guide Real Madrid to an extraordinary UEFA Champions League title. And now, Ângelo Gabriel is leading the next generation of Brazilian talent.

Similar to Rayo or Ney, there is something special about Ângelo. The Peixe star made his professional debut at just 16, and now at 17, he is one of their main players. Ângelo has a captivating playing style, and it is no surprise European clubs are already after the 17-year-old. Newcastle seem to lead the line, with the Magpies already being heavily linked with the Santos wonderkid. Nonetheless, wherever he may end up, Ângelo Gabriel will certainly shine.

In this scout report and tactical analysis, we will provide an in-depth look into Ângelo Gabriel’s profile. In addition to examining where and how he plays, this analysis will identify what makes the 17-year-old such a star, and how he has become such an integral part of Santos’ tactics in 2022.

Player profile

Ângelo Gabriel is a 17-year-old left-footed winger, who predominantly plays on the right-hand side of the attack. As an inverted winger, Ângelo is often able to cut inside and attack the right half-space with his favourite foot. The half-spaces are usually crowded and difficult to play, but that is exactly where Ângelo shines. With outstanding ball control and technique, Ângelo is able to instinctively dribble through the opposition, often disorganising them and creating space for his teammates. Although like Neymar, he is most revered for his dribbling ability, his passing is also incredible. Ângelo is constantly able to split open defensive organisations with his needle-threading passing ability.

We will explore these strengths and characteristics more in-depth later, but in summary, Ângelo is a dynamic winger capable of creating danger and playing a role in possession through both his dribbling and passing ability. At just 173cm (5’8”), he is not only technically similar to Neymar but also physically.

Ângelo’s heatmap in 2022 illustrates his positioning and movement this season. As mentioned, the 17-year-old predominantly plays on the right-hand side, cutting inside to his favourite left foot. This is shown in his heatmap, with the most intense areas being on the right wing and right half-space. There have also been occasions of him playing on the left wing, where he can explore the depth and provide width. It is notable how on the left, his movement is naturally much more restricted to the wide channel.

Nonetheless, Ângelo is a dynamic player. Through the less intense areas, we can see how he is capable of occupying other positions and drifting into other areas of the pitch. In addition to his movement, there is also a healthy balance in his attacking actions.

The map below illustrates where and how he can get involved in possession. Unsurprisingly, the 17-year-old is constantly performing dribbles in the wide channels. Additionally, in the final third, he is constantly able to deliver crosses and dangerous balls into the box.

In addition to the eye-grabbing attacking actions, Ângelo Gabriel is also capable of playing a key role without the ball. In 2022, the 17-year-old had 32 counter-pressing recoveries with an additional nine dangerous regains. In a high press scenario, he had a total of 28 high regains. At just 17, Ângelo has already developed a highly desirable aspect of his game.

Dribbling

At the end of the day, dribbling is still Ângelo’s most dangerous weapon. The 17-year-old glides through the pitch with great speed and ball control. Whether in tight spaces or with acres of space, Ângelo is constantly able to progress and create through his dribbling. In the Série A 2022, the Peixe star’s 10.71 dribbles per 90 were the second highest, only behind Flamengo’s Everton Soares (among players with over 700 minutes played). Similarly, he averaged 6.63 progressive runs per 90.

Ângelo’s ball progression map in 2022 further illustrates this. The map follows a very similar pattern to his heatmap, with an extra emphasis on the right half-space. In the opposition’s half, there is a healthy balance between dribbles on the wing and the half-space. As we will see shortly, despite being left-footed, Ângelo keeps the opposition guessing by constantly switching between driving down the line and cutting side.

His progressive runs are also extremely notable. They are a resource he often resorts to when progressing from the middle to the final third. This can be extremely helpful in possession as he is constantly able to drive at and lower the opposition’s defensive block. The length of these runs is also extremely impressive. Ângelo often goes on long runs dribbling countless opposition players.

Naturally, these carries become much more difficult in the final third, where time and space are restricted. This is not the case for Ângelo, who as seen in the penetrating carries map below, has no difficulty dribbling through the opposition’s low block and entering the box. The volume of these carries is notable in itself, but the fact that some of them start well into his half makes it even more impressive. Ângelo is an extremely dangerous player who is constantly able to progress to and create in the final third.

As mentioned, Ângelo Gabriel always keeps the opposition guessing. Despite being strongly left-footed, there is a healthy balance between his dribbling directions. Naturally, he will choose to dribble inside onto his left foot. At any rate, he always takes what the defender gives him. In the instance below, for example, he manipulates the defender into showing him inside. Ângelo immediately bursts into the space and goes on an amazing run before putting his teammate in front of goal.

At times, defenders will cut that option completely. Against Juventude, for example, the defender advances on the 17-year-old by showing him down the line rather than inside. Ângelo performs a quick dribble and bursts forward with great acceleration. His pace is part of what makes him so dangerous, and he is often able to exploit gaps and drive forward.

Passing

While the Santos prodigy has an incredible dribbling ability, he also causes extreme damage through his passing. The 17-year-old is constantly creating chances for his teammates through his creative and precise passing ability. In the Série A 2022, Ângelo Gabriel had 0.32 assists per 90 from a similar 0.27 xA per 90. Through a further look, we are able to see how exactly his passing is so dangerous.

From the jump, he has 6.2 progressive passes per 90, highlighting his ability to get involved in earlier stages of possession and break lines with his passing. His 4.45 passes to the penalty area are higher than his 3.18 passes to the final third, as he is constantly looking to create inside the final third. He does so through his 1.33 smart passes per 90, 1.01 key passes per 90, and 1.64 through passes per 90.

This passing ability can be first illustrated by his pass map in 2022. Although they all generally begin in the same area, there is great variety in their length and direction. Additionally, a significant number of them look to reach the final third and penalty area.

His shot assists further emphasise his contribution in the final third. The 17-year-old has set up his teammates with countless shot opportunities in the opposition’s penalty area. As seven of these passes became assists, it is impressive how often he can set up his teammates in good locations.

Against Atlético Goianiense, Ângelo assisted Santos’ first goal of the evening. With the ball on the right wing, he can perform a quick cut to his left foot and deliver a pinpoint cross to Marcos Leonardo in the box.

In another instance, now against Corinthians, the Santos star is able to perform a Neymar-like chip pass to put Marcos Leonardo in front of goal again. While this time it did not result in a goal, his vision and ability to perform that pass are extremely impressive.

Finally, in the Copa Sudamericana, we are able to see a perfect example of how Ângelo Gabriel contributes in earlier stages of possession. As Santos attempt to break down Unión La Calera’s low block, the 17-year-old drives into the final third. As he does so, he sees the centre-forward making a run in behind the backline. Despite having three players in his way, he plays a perfect through pass to split the defence open and put his teammate in front of the goal. Again, this did not result in a goal. Nonetheless, we can see how Ângelo puts his teammates in front of the goal time after time.

Conclusion

As the next generation of Brazilian stars begins to emerge, Santos have yet another promising star on their hands. Ângelo Gabriel made his professional debut last year, at just 16 years old. Now 17, the young prodigy is grabbing all the headlines as he becomes an integral part of the Vila Belmiro side. Ângelo is an extremely dangerous winger, capable of creating through his instinctive dribbling or precise passing ability. Additionally, out of possession, he is able to contribute through a solid pressing effort. It won’t be long before Ângelo is reaching similar heights as the likes of Vini Jr. and Neymar.