It has been rumoured that Eljif Elmas has received offers from various clubs in the Bundesliga, the Premier League, and, lately, Serie A.

In fact, Elmas has been linked with Newcastle United, Lazio, and a possible return to Napoli, as it has been predicted that he would soon make his return to Italy since he used to play for Napoli from 2019 until late 2023.

Moreover, a possible move to one of the top six Bundesliga sides is possible, too, since teams like Borussia Dortmund, Mainz, and Bayer Leverkusen are interested in the services of the Macedonian international and have the possibility to allow him sufficient playing time.

Elmas is more likely to leave RB Leipzig during this transfer window.

He has only made six appearances in all competitions this season, all off the bench. 

Therefore, he should not hesitate to consider the offers he receives, but he should also be very intelligent and selective about them, as it will be crucial to opt for the best possible option.

In other words, moving to a team that does not suit the player’s abilities or does not provide the space needed for him to play regularly will undoubtedly be a mistake in Elmas’ career.

With experience in teams like Rabotnički, where he started his career, Fenerbahçe, Napoli, with which he lifted the Scudetto and RB Leipzig, Elmas has the potential and the maturity needed to put on a good impression and perform well to succeed in having a more positive chapter in his career.

It should be pointed out that Elmas’ most successful and consistent period was his time at Napoli, where he got regular playing time and succeeded in making more than 30 appearances per season.

That’s why he must build on that period and aim to surpass the difficult times he experienced at Leipzig.

This requires a strong personality and the ability to adapt to change and difficulties.

In this tactical analysis and scout report, we will identify the targets that best suit Elmas’ abilities and situation, given his blurry situation at RB Leipzig.

We will identify which of the interested teams needs him the most and can offer him adequate playing time, at least for the second half of this season.

Moreover, focusing on Elmas’ potential importance within these teams’ tactics will be important.

That’s why the analysis will also contain sections that explore the player's footballing abilities and skills as a midfielder and right-winger, focusing especially on his attacking and playmaking traits.

Eljif Elmas Most Suitable Destinations

Elmas is a very intelligent and useful player who can benefit any team in playmaking and attacking.

He has the abilities needed to integrate any team and be extremely impactful in their attacking phase.

That said, he should think wisely about which team to join.

Some teams already have reliable key players in those positions, while others do not use the playing system that suits Elmas’ traits.

Firstly, a return to Napoli is possible and could help Elmas a lot.

He would not have to adapt to a new environment or spend time learning how things work in Italy and in Serie A.

His long and successful experience at Napoli can help him gain time and effort and immediately perform well with them for the second half of the season if they make a loan or buying offer.

Nevertheless, Antonio Conte’s midfield already includes quality players who are performing well, especially the trio of Scott McTominay, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Stanislav Lobotka.

Elmas can still move to Napoli and be the fourth piece and the “super sub” for one of these three players.

He also has the possibility of replacing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a left-winger since the Georgian international has just left the team to join PSG.

Even though left-winger is not Elmas's natural position, he proved previously, especially at Napoli, that he can be very useful in that position whenever needed, especially when Kvaratskhelia was injured at certain times of the season.

Therefore, Elmas can exploit this opportunity and get more playing time by attempting to replace Kvaratskhelia in the second half of the season, as Napoli will be a bit complicated to find a reliable world-class left-winger during this winter transfer window.

On the other hand, it has been rumoured that Lazio is keen on retaining the player's services.

This actually represents a suitable opportunity for Elmas to shine since he can upgrade Lazio’s midfield.

Whether by playing instead of Nicolò Rovella, Mattéo Guendouzi or rather as an advanced playmaker instead of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Elmas has the potential to add a lot of dynamism and quality within the Biancocelesti’s midfield and attack and help them reach the box faster and with more conviction.

Elmas can also stay in Germany and join one of the Bundesliga sides, such as Bayer Leverkusen.

However, he must be convinced that, with his performances, he will get an opportunity to play, whether behind the strikers or in midfield.

The competition for those spots is already fierce between Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Robert Andrich, and Exequiel Palacios.

As for Borussia Dortmund, it would also be useful to join such a prestigious team, knowing that they have suffered from a lot of injuries lately, which paves the way for exploiting these absences and filling the void left by those absent players.

However, Elmas should take into consideration the fact that Borussia Dortmund is actually going through a delicate period during which they are suffering from bad results and if things do not change in a while, Nuri Şahin can be sacked at any time, and the team will be going through a transitory phase soon.

That’s why the timing of a move to Borussia Dortmund looks a bit risky, as everything is a bit blurry at the club, at least for the moment.

Elmas also has the opportunity to revive his career by opting for a different adventure, and joining Mainz can help him get back to his excellent run of form, whether as a midfielder or as an advanced playmaker, knowing that Elmas can secure sufficient playing time within this ambitious German team.

Furthermore, Newcastle is also interested in Elmas' services as he can be very useful as a right-winger or as a left-midfielder in terms of attacking freedom.

This can also represent an attractive opportunity for Elmas since Newcastle are having a serious project that is developing with each season, yet, the only issue that might encounter him at Newcastle is the time needed to adapt to the EPL and to its playing style.

Taking the risk of playing as a left-winger to replace Kvaratskhelia and trusting Antonio Conte, who is specialised in reviving players who come from complicated periods in their careers, would be the most suitable choice to make this season as Elmas will be joining a team challenging for the title and helping them massively at a crucial time of the season.

Eljif Elmas Playmaking & Dribbling Skills

With an 88.2% passing accuracy, 80% for passes to the final third and 60.4% for passes to the penalty box, we can argue that Elmas is a very reliable and talented passer and, more importantly, a player who times his passes well and can, often break lines using accurate key passes.

Elmas used to be a set-piece specialist for Napoli.

He provided numerous important assists to his teammates from corners, as he usually executed corners very dangerously, allowing his teammates to have the advantage with headers.

This also means that Elmas crosses very well from the wing and can always provide assists, whether from the right or left wing, using accurate crosses.

A remarkable example of this aspect is his assist against Juventus.

With a first touch, he crossed the ball from the right wing, surprising the defence and allowing Giacomo Raspadori to score a beautiful goal in the last minutes of the game.

Eljif Elmas Assist Against Juventus

Moreover, Elmas has proven on numerous occasions that he can play anywhere inside the final third and adapt his skills to match the role's requirements.

For instance, he has always dealt well with situations where he had to play on the left wing.

He uses his quick dribbling skills and ability to surpass opponents to get away from marking and find the needed passing option or continue by cutting inside.

In fact, Elmas usually alternates between multiple solutions and is intelligent enough not to let opponents read him like an open book.

Instead, he alternates between shooting from distance, opting for early crosses like in the following example, running towards the corner line before crossing, cutting inside then passing, cutting inside then shooting, opting for one-two combinations to cut inside, and more.

Eljif Elmas Assist Against Udinese

This variety of solutions makes Elmas a very dangerous and creative playmaker who can usually make the difference for his team inside the final third.

Eljif Elmas Assist Against Bologna

This goal action against Bologna highlights his ability to win offensive duels and make key passes using his left foot whenever needed, assisting Hirving Lozano.

Eljif Elmas Goalscoring Abilities

Regarding goalscoring, Elmas's xG is 0.17 per game.

He shoots 1.56 per game and succeeds in shooting on target at a rate of 39.8%.

These numbers are not very high, mainly because finishing is not Elmas’ primary mission on the pitch.

He usually plays behind the strikers or on the wing.

That said, Elmas has been a crucial goalscorer on plenty of occasions and can be even more decisive for his next team.

All he needs at the moment is to regain confidence in his abilities, shoot with more conviction, and become impactful once again.

In fact, Elmas’ latest goal was scored for North Macedonia against Latvia.

It was a powerful shot from the edge of the box that highlighted the player’s ability to shoot with power and precision.

Eljif Elmas Goal Against Latvia

Moreover, the following goal action confirms that Elmas can adapt his skills to his attacking role.

This goal action makes him look like a pure left-winger who has always played in that position, making the argument for his potential move to replace Kvaratskhelia even more valid and logical.

In this action, Elmas made everything needed to score the goal with a solo effort thanks to his initial acceleration, cutting inside, quick dribbling past his direct marker and a beautiful curved shot that went inside the net.

Eljif Elmas Curved Shot Against Salernitana

Moreover, Elmas has scored using headers, left-footed shots, penalties, and more, confirming that he is a reliable playmaker and a decisive goalscorer whose impact was very tangible, especially at Napoli.

Conclusion

Eljif Elmas can upgrade numerous teams in the Bundesliga and Serie A.

He has the talent to help the chosen team in the second half of the season and, why not, in the seasons to come.

A return to Napoli remains the most adequate move for Elmas and Napoli following the departure of their left-winger Kvaratskhelia.

Nevertheless, a move to Lazio, Mainz, or Bayer Leverkusen is also possible and relatively good, especially if these teams will allow him the needed playing time.