As football continues to evolve, the emergence of young talent becomes increasingly crucial, especially for clubs looking to maintain long-term success.
The DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) has a long tradition of developing world-class players through strong youth systems.
This tactical analysis, in the form of a scout report, provides an in-depth analysis of four standout players from the region who are featured in The Guardian’s “Next Generation 2024” list (linked on the word ‘analysis’).
These players are Viggo Gebel from UEFA Champions League club RB Leipzig, Francis Onyeka from German Bundesliga champion Bayer Leverkusen, Oghenetejiri Kenneth Adejenughure from Red Bull Salzburg, and Marvin Akahomen from FC Basel.
Each player has shown exceptional promise, offering a blend of insight into their respective tactics, technical skill, style of play, and physical prowess that could see them rise to the highest levels of professional football.
Viggo Gebel Scouting Report At RB Leipzig
- Age: 16
- Club: RB Leipzig (Germany)
- Height: 1.74 m
- Preferred Foot: Right (capable with both feet)
- Positions: Attacking Midfielder (AM), Left Winger (LW), Right Winger (RW)
Viggo Gebel is a dynamic and versatile attacking midfielder who is comfortable playing in multiple positions across the frontline.
At just 16 years old, he has already demonstrated an advanced understanding of space and positioning, excelling at finding pockets between opposition midfield and defensive lines.
His ability to operate as a creative hub from the centre or drift into the half-spaces makes him a vital asset for teams that rely on fluid, possession-based football.
Viggo Gebel Heat Map
Gebel’s technical proficiency is evident in his tight control, intelligent dribbling, and quick decision-making.
When in possession, he consistently looks for ways to unlock defences, whether through incisive passing or by carrying the ball into dangerous areas.
His ability to press opponents aggressively without losing positional discipline makes him an ideal fit for RB Leipzig’s high-intensity system.
He exhibits an excellent work rate off the ball, tracking back to apply pressure, intercepting passes, and recovering possession in advanced areas.
This also helps his team initiate counterattacks efficiently, allowing Gebel to function as both a creator and a key cog in the transitional phase.
Viggo Gebel High Regains Map
Gebel can play across the attacking line, whether centrally or on the wings.
His flexibility allows coaches to deploy him in various formations, either as a No. 10 or as an inverted winger.
His pressing game is not merely about energy but also intelligent positioning.
Gebel applies pressure in coordinated movements, often timing his press to cut off passing lanes or force opponents into errors.
One of his standout traits is his ability to operate in congested areas.
He uses his low centre of gravity to pivot and find angles for passes or shots.
He can pick out teammates in advanced positions or shoot himself, making him a dual threat.
Gebel is excellent at set pieces, especially corners, which he can take with either foot, adding unpredictability to his deliveries.
His free-kicks, too, are consistently dangerous, often generating scoring opportunities for his teammates or himself.
Although primarily a creator, Gebel also possesses strong finishing ability.
He’s adept at shooting with both feet from distance and within the box, adding another dimension to his attacking play.
Viggo Gebel Shots Map
While Gebel’s all-around game is highly advanced for his age, his tactical awareness in defensive situations can still improve.
While he works hard off the ball, refining his decision-making when tracking runners and marking defensive transitions will further enhance his overall contribution to the team.
He not only shined in the UEFA Youth League but was also selected to RB Leipzig’s first team in the UEFA Champions League under Marco Rose.
Francis Onyeka Scouting Report At Bayer Leverkusen
- Age: 17
- Club: Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Germany)
- Height: 1.86 m
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Positions: Central Midfielder (CM), Attacking Midfielder (AM), Winger
Francis Onyeka is a versatile midfielder who combines physical prowess with technical finesse, making him one of the most exciting prospects in German football.
A product of Bayer Leverkusen’s excellent youth system, Onyeka can function in a variety of midfield roles, ranging from a deeper-lying playmaker to a more advanced attacking midfielder or even on the wings.
His tactical intelligence allows him to adapt seamlessly to multiple systems, but his most natural fit is as an advanced playmaker or roaming midfielder with creative freedom.
Francis Onyeka Heat Map
Onyeka’s game is built on his exceptional technical ability and ball control.
He often uses his first touch to evade pressure and open up space.
His vision and passing range are outstanding for his age, enabling him to pick out runners from deep or deliver intricate through balls in the final third.
With his tall frame and athleticism, Onyeka is also a capable ball carrier.
He uses his strength to shield the ball and drive forward, breaking defensive lines.
His dribbling skills and his natural ability to shoot from a distance make him a constant threat, especially when given room to operate around the opposition’s penalty area.
Onyeka’s ability to play in multiple roles (central midfield, attacking midfield, and wide areas) makes him an asset in various tactical systems.
His flexibility gives coaches the option to use him in different situations, from possession-based setups to more direct counter-attacking football.
Standing at 1.86m, Onyeka effectively uses his size, whether holding off challenges or defending in aerial duels.
This physical dominance is paired with silky technique, allowing him to play with a level of composure and control that is rare for a player of his stature.
He excels at carrying the ball over long distances, often gliding past opponents with ease.
His dribbling is precise, and he has the ability to take on defenders one-on-one, making him especially dangerous in transition or when cutting inside from wide areas.
Francis Onyeka Bal Progression Map
Onyeka’s shooting ability, particularly from long-range, is exceptional.
He is capable of scoring from outside the box, and his composure in front of goal allows him to finish in various ways, whether through power or placement.
When under pressure, Onyeka maintains remarkable composure, often opting for the right pass or movement to retain possession or create goal-scoring opportunities.
His spatial awareness and ability to make quick decisions help him evade pressure and keep his team’s attacking play fluid.
Despite his excellent technical and physical profile, Onyeka can sometimes be guilty of overplaying, holding onto the ball for too long or attempting ambitious dribbles in dangerous areas.
As he continues to mature, refining his decision-making, particularly in high-stakes situations, will be crucial to maximizing his potential.
Oghenetejiri Kenneth Adejenughure Scouting Report At RB Salzburg
- Age: 17
- Club: RB Salzburg (Austria)
- Height: 1.85 m
- Preferred Foot: Right
- Position: Centre-Forward
Oghenetejiri Kenneth Adejenughure is an exciting young striker.
Due to his blend of pace, power, and finishing ability, he is often compared to Victor Osimhen.
At 1.85m, he has the physical presence to play as a target man but also the agility and speed to operate effectively in a counterattacking system.
Oghenetejiri Kenneth Adejenughure Heat Map
His style of play is that of a modern centre-forward, capable of dropping deep to link play or staying on the shoulder of the last defender to exploit space in behind.
Adejenughure’s off-the-ball movement is one of his standout traits.
He shows an intuitive understanding of when to make runs behind the defence, often timing his movements perfectly to latch onto through balls or crosses.
In the box, his finishing is clinical; whether with his head or either foot, he can score in a variety of ways.
Additionally, his hold-up play allows him to bring teammates into play, particularly in systems that rely on quick transitions.
Adejenughure’s raw physicality, combined with his refined technique, makes him a versatile and well-rounded striker with significant room for growth.
Adejenughure’s movement is intelligent and purposeful.
He reads defensive lines well and makes sharp, well-timed runs to intercept crosses or through balls.
His understanding of space makes him difficult to mark, especially in fast transitions.
Given his height and strength, Adejenughure is a constant threat in the air.
Whether attacking crosses or defending set-pieces, his ability to time his jumps and use his upper-body strength gives him a significant advantage.
Adejenughure is a natural finisher.
He has the ability to score from various angles and distances, whether it’s a first-time strike from close range or a powerful shot from outside the box.
His finishing is automatic, and he rarely needs more than one touch to find the back of the net.
Oghenetejiri Kenneth Adejenughure Shots Map
For a player of his size, Adejenughure is remarkably quick.
His combination of speed and strength makes him a formidable opponent for defenders, especially when he has space to run into.
While Adejenughure has a well-rounded skill set, his pressing and defensive work rate could be more consistent.
In high-intensity systems like Red Bull Salzburg‘s, improving his ability to contribute defensively will make him a more complete forward.
Marvin Akahomen Scouting Report At FC Basel
- Age: 16
- Club: FC Basel (Switzerland)
- Height: 1.86 m
- Preferred Foot: Left
- Position: Centre-Back
Marvin Akahomen is an imposing left-footed centre-back with an impressive range of passing and a penchant for carrying the ball out from the back.
Marvin Akahomen Heat Map
At 1.86m, he possesses the physical attributes required to dominate aerially and in one-on-one duels, but it is his composure in possession that truly sets him apart.
Akahomen is comfortable building out from the back, often stepping into midfield with the ball to break lines and initiate attacks.
Akahomen prefers to press aggressively in defensive situations, engaging attackers early to win the ball back.
His anticipation and positioning are critical to his ability to intercept passes or close down space before the opposition can take advantage.
In a high-pressing system, Akahomen’s proactive defending style allows his team to maintain a compact shape, reducing the opposition’s ability to exploit gaps.
Additionally, his passing range makes him an asset in possession-based systems, where his long-range diagonals can quickly switch play and stretch opposition defences.
Akahomen is exceptionally calm under pressure, often dribbling out from the back or making line-breaking passes into midfield.
His technical ability allows his team to build attacks from deep without sacrificing defensive solidity.
Marvin Akahomen Progressive Passes Map
Akahomen is an active defender who prefers to step out of the defensive line to engage attackers.
His tenacity in one-on-one duels, timing, and positioning allow him to win the ball back quickly and high up the pitch.
Despite not being the tallest center-back, Akahomen’s timing and leap make him a strong presence in the air.
He is capable of defending set pieces and contributing offensively from corners and free-kicks.
Marvin Akahomen Defensive Territory map
Akahomen is an excellent passer, capable of both short, intricate passes and long-range diagonals to switch the play.
This ability to distribute the ball from deep is a crucial aspect of his game, particularly in teams that rely on possession and quick transitions.
While Akahomen’s technical ability and defensive aggression are impressive, his decision-making, particularly in high-risk areas, can sometimes be erratic.
As he matures, reducing the number of risky passes or dribbles in dangerous areas will be key to his development.
Conclusion
The DACH region continues to produce some of the most exciting young talents in world football, with players like Viggo Gebel, Francis Onyeka, Oghenetejiri Kenneth Adejenughure, and Marvin Akahomen offering a glimpse of the future.
Each player brings a unique set of skills and tactical qualities that make them standout prospects, whether it’s Gebel’s creativity and pressing ability, Onyeka’s versatility and technical prowess, Adejenughure’s lethal finishing, or Akahomen’s composure and aggressive defending.
While they all have areas to improve, their potential to develop into world-class players is evident, and it will be fascinating to watch their careers unfold in the coming years.
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