Total Football Analysis’ Breakout XI for 2025 includes eight ‘alternates’/’bench players’ who almost made the cut for a full scouting report in the magazine.
Those players will still be covered with a mini-data analysis.
Our sub left centre-back is Dylan Leonard of Western United.
One of the brightest young defenders playing in the A-League is Western United’s 17-year-old centre-back, Dylan Leonard.
Leonard is a right-footed left centre-back and the youngest Western United squad player.
The below visualisation highlights where Leonard ranks for some key metrics when compared with the other left-sided centre-backs who play in the A-League and other similar leagues.
Leonard’s biggest strength is his ability on the ball.
He is very composed and not hesitant to take risks in possession for someone his age.
He is very comfortable receiving and progressing, ranking in the 66th percentile for Progressive passes per 90.
Leonard also covers a lot of space, and his defensive actions are almost spread across the entire left side.
He is suited to play in a high line because of his pace and 1v1 defending, as well as his aggressive and proactive nature in tackling.
He lacks the aerial prowess that is often a desirable strength in a centre-back, but he makes up for it with his other attributes.
Dylan Leonard is still only 17 years old and has caught the attention of a number of scouts already.
Leonard has been reliable for his club so far.
He hopes to be a regular starter this season and will make the best of his opportunities to see where that takes him in 2025.
Leonard has almost all the qualities expected of a modern-day centre-back and is surely one of the defenders to watch out for in 2025.
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