During the 2021/22 season, Benji Magee spent the first half of the season on loan in the primarily amateur Northern Irish third division before returning to complete the season with his parent club, Ards, in the NIFL championship.

That term, Magee failed to score in any of his 13 league appearances across both divisions.

At the end of the current season, Magee (now at Loughgall) has become one of the most sought-after talents in Northern Ireland.

The 22-year-old has scored 17 goals in all competitions and was an integral part of Loughgall’s impressive first season back in the NIFL premiership.

His impressive performances have earned him many accolades this season, most notably the renowned NIFL Young Player of the Year award and a call-up to Tommy Wright’s Northern Ireland u21 squad.

Reportedly, Magee has numerous admirers who are desperate to sign the East Belfast native.

Clubs in EFL League 1 and 2 have been rumoured to be in the hunt to secure Magee’s services for next season.

This tactical analysis and Benji Magee scout report will provide an in-depth analysis of Magee’s strengths that will help him flourish if he makes a move to a higher level, as well as what he must improve to ensure his success.

Benji Magee Style Of Play

Magee has played predominantly as a winger or centre-forward.

He played 44% of his minutes as a striker, mainly when Loughgall played with a 3-5-2 with Magee being paired with a target man within his side’s tactics.

This gave him the licence to make runs in behind the defence to get on the end of flick-ons and through balls.

However, many of Magee’s most productive performances came on either the right or left flank when Loughgall lined up in a 4-2-3-1.

This system saw Loughgall’s full-backs frequently used in the attacking phase.

With the full-backs providing much of the attacking width, this gives Magee the freedom to leave his position; he prefers drifting inside to allow himself to get on the ball in dangerous areas.

Benji Magee Physical Profile

Magee stands at 183cm and has a lean build.

Despite this lean build, Magee uses his body to excellent effect when he receives the ball with his back to the goal.

Even against the most combative of defenders, Magee has an excellent ability to protect the ball.

In this example, we see Magee making his body as big as possible, using his arms and lower body to great effect.

After protecting the ball, he is able to lose his opponent and then quickly break forward with the ball.

One area of weakness for Magee is his ability to challenge in the air.

He has only won 19.4% of his aerial duels this season.

Although Magee is far from small, he is often outmuscled when challenging for the ball in the air.

Here, we see Magee challenging one of the opposition’s centrebacks for the ball.

The defender easily crosses his arm across Magee’s body, allowing him to win the ball with little difficulty.

Benji Magee In possession – A constant threat

Magee constantly makes runs that enable him to receive the ball in dangerous positions.

He is right-footed and has played the majority of his minutes as a winger on the right flank.

Often, this limits the wide player to stick to the wing; however, Magee is often seen coming inside to get on the ball.

Magee can be seen here coming inside to pick up an intelligent position between the opposition’s midfield and defensive lines.

This allows him to receive possession unmarked, giving him the space to turn and drive at the opposition’s defence.

Magee’s greatest strength is his ability to dribble by opponents.

He averages 8.97 dribbles per 90 and has completed the third-highest number of dribbles in NIFL, 266.

Magee has a tremendous ability to get out of tight situations using his quick feet and great skill.

Here, Magee picks up the ball in his own half.

He is closely marshalled by two defenders close to the sideline.

Magee expertly turns the first and then neatly flicks the ball past the second, giving himself space to dribble deep into the opposition’s half.

This ability is a real asset and allows him to create dangerous situations for himself and his teammates.

Magee is highly effective at dribbling by opponents to create goalscoring opportunities.

In this example, Magee picks up the ball on the edge of the box.

With two defenders charging at him, he coolly fakes to shoot, beating both defenders.

This opens the space for Magee to slot the ball home into the bottom corner.

One of the standout features of Magee’s season has been his goalscoring exploits.

As seen in the previous example, Magee has the ability to create chances for himself, yet his speed, movement and coolness in front of goal have all been key factors to his success when finding the net.

He has proven to be clinical in front of goal whenever chances have presented themselves.

Magee’s 16 league goals appear more impressive when you delve deeper into his stats.

His expected goals figure this season was 7.72, giving him a difference of +8.28.

Magee also had an impressive conversion rate of 25%, the second highest amongst the top-five goal scorers in NIFL.

Benji Magee Out of possession – Areas for improvement

Magee has a number of standout attributes in possession; however, the attacker’s weaknesses lie in his defensive capabilities.

Magee was dribbled past 39 times this season, more than any other forward in the league.

His poor performance when putting pressure on opponents is not due to a lack of willingness or intensity; rather, it is more attributed to how he presses.

Here, we see Magee being diligent and running at pace to put his opponent under pressure.

Although he has worked hard to get close to his opponent, his approach when pressing saw him being easily beaten.

Magee needed to curve his run and position his body to force play away from the goal to make the opposition’s play more predictable.

Magee also dived in during this situation, failing to delay his opponent, allowing them to progress down flank into the final third.

With Loughgall’s defensive shape often being a 4-5-1, Magee is tasked with strict defensive responsibilities when playing as a wide player.

Along with ensuring he effectively maintains his team’s compactness, Magee must also track the runs of the entire back on his side.

This is something Magee struggles to do at times.

Often, he can be caught failing to notice the forward run of his opponent’s full-back, allowing the opposition to progress dangerously down the flank.

In this example, we see that Magee has failed to pick up the opposition’s left back, who has made a dangerous run in the final third.

With Loughgall’s right back being already occupied by the opponent’s wide midfielder, it has given the advancing full-back acres of space in a dangerous area.

Benji Magee Transitions – Underrated strength

Magee’s ability to affect a game can evidently be seen during the attacking and defensive transitions.

Although this part of his game has not caught people’s attention as much as his proficiency in front of goal, it is a vital part of Magee’s game.

In the attacking transition, Magee uses his dribbling and running with the ball to great effect.

When he picks up the ball, his directness and speed while dribbling cause havoc on counterattacks.

Magee averaged three progressive runs per 90, the ninth highest in NIFL.

As in this situation, many of Magee’s progressive runs come during counterattacks.

Magee here has started a counterattack after his team won the ball back in midfield.

He drives with pace at the defenders, drawing them in before playing a pass into the final third for his supporting teammate.

Despite Magee’s main flaws being found in the defensive side of his game, he is impressive during the defensive transition.

Magee uses his pace to put his opponents under severe pressure during the defensive transition, forcing them into mistakes.

Of the 90 recoveries he’s made this season, 73.3% have come in his opponent’s half, demonstrating his willingness to work and win the ball high up the pitch during the defensive transition.

In this example, Magee spots the pressing trigger of a risky pass during the opposition’s transition, and he puts his opponent under severe pressure.

Through Magee’s intensity, he forces a mistake and helps his team win possession in a promising area of the pitch.

Conclusion: Ready for the next step

Magee has had quite the season and has proven that he has many qualities that point to him having the ability to play at the next level.

He has a real x-factor, with his ability to go by opponents easily and create opportunities out of nothing.

He has also proven his ability not only to be a threat during counterattacks but a real asset during the defensive transition.

However, Benji Magee tactics need to improve on certain aspects of his game.

His inability to compete in the air and lack of reliability when his team are defending will be real hindrances to his progress.

Despite the examined weaknesses that Magee possesses, we predict that clubs in EFL League 1 and 2, just below the EFL Championship, will not be too deterred from signing the forward.

Magee is still a semi-pro footballer, and a move to a full-time environment will give him the tools to develop his game further.

Rumours strongly link Magee with a move to Doncaster Rovers; coming under the guidance of Rovers Manager and fellow Northern Irish man Grant McCann.

Magee could take that next step in his meteoric rise, cementing himself in the English game.