2023 Scouting Report: Ambrose Ajala, Roeten, Gustafsson, Sangaré, Bakkenget – Five U17 Forwards To Watch

A talented forward is often considered the heartbeat of a team’s attacking prowess.

When we think of star strikers, we envisage an individual whose skills and goalscoring instincts can sway the outcome of a match in the blink of an eye.

Of course, we must remember that a forward’s role extends far beyond simply scoring goals; it largely depends on the team’s tactical style.

A skilful forward encompasses a blend of technical finesse, tactical intelligence, physical prowess, and mental resilience.

Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are probably the two most prolific strikers’ of recent times.

The former is proving to be unstoppable in the Premier League with his powerful physical presence and lethal turn of pace.

Not to mention his innate goalscoring ability, which has seen him make a mockery of many defences.

Furthermore, the latter’s excellent passing range has seen him act as a playmaker as well as a goalscorer which proved invaluable during his time at Tottenham and earned him a move to German giants Bayern Munich.

We cannot forget the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Victor Osimhen, Karim Benzema and Robert Lewandowski, who have put on some scintillating displays for their respective clubs over the years.

In this tactical analysis and scout report, we will do something of an end-of-year round-up as we are going to look at some of the most impressive forwards at youth level throughout Europe who stood out during 2023.

For this piece, we will focus on players playing at U16 and U17 levels.

Using EYEBALL, we will look at the statistics and in-game footage to analyse each player’s skills and what they bring to their team’s tactics.

Sixten Gustafsson Scouting Report At AIK

The first player we are going to highlight in this analysis piece is 16-year-old Swedish striker Sixten Gustafsson.

The young forward has put in some highly impressive performances in both the U16 and U17 Allsvenskan.

He has a remarkable goalscoring record this season, which has seen him average 1.5 goals per game, suggesting he is ready for another step up in age group.

Gustafsson possesses an excellent aerial ability, which means he is often the target of set pieces and crosses into the box.

He has a fantastic burst of acceleration, which sees him able to sprint in front of his opponent, as demonstrated here.

He generates a good height on his jumping reach to leap above his marker and ensure he can head the ball goalwards.

The value of Gustafsson’s aerially ability extends beyond set pieces and crosses into the box.

Goal kicks and long passes become potent attacking opportunities for AIK as the young striker possesses the ability to rise above defenders and head the ball on to runners in behind the defensive line or knock it down to a teammate.

This adds versatility in attacking options and provides AIK with a strategic advantage, allowing them to vary their approach and keep opposing defences guessing.

The young Swedish striker averages 5.1 shots per 90 with an average of 2.3 per 90 on target and an average of 4.6 shots per 90 taken from inside the penalty area.

Gustafsson, then, is something of a real goal poacher.

Here, he sprints into the penalty area, anticipating that his teammate will beat his opponent 1v1 and play a low cross into the six-yard box.

Gustafsson’s proficiency in working within the box means he provides a constant threat to the opposition’s defence.

With a knack for exploiting spaces in the penalty area, he can position himself strategically to capitalise on crosses into the box, rebounds, and defensive errors.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of Gustafsson is particularly evident in situations where precision and quick decision-making are paramount.

In tight and congested areas within the box, the young striker’s ability to navigate through defenders, find pockets of space, and unleash accurate shots on goal is invaluable.

Gustafsson is not one for working the channels frequently.

However, he will drift into the half spaces when AIK U17 are on the counterattack as a way of creating space for teammates in central areas.

The example above demonstrates this and shows how the young forward is adept at beating opponents 1v1.

As he carries the ball into the area, defenders are drawn towards the skilled forward, which creates vacant spaces and imbalances in the defensive line.

He utilises his close control and quick feet to retain possession.

Consequently, two opposition players move towards Gustafsson to put him under pressure, which he easily avoids by taking them on.

This spatial manipulation allows both Gustafsson and his teammates to make strategic runs into dangerous areas, thereby increasing the team’s overall attacking options.

The young forward averages 2.9 take-ons per 90, and as we can see here, he can spin away from his opponent and create space for himself.

Bas Roeten Scouting Report At ADO Den Haag

The next player we are going to look at in this scout report is 15-year-old Dutch striker Bas Roeten.

The young forward has put in some impressive performances at U16 level and looks ready to make the step up to U17.

Roeten’s off-the-ball movement is second to none.

He is a forward who thrives on passes being played in behind the defensive line, as he has the explosive acceleration to ensure he reaches the ball before the opposition.

The runs that he makes often lead him into 1v1 situations with the goalkeeper, such as this scenario above.

Moreover, Roeten’s astute off-the-ball movement means he becomes a focal point for the team’s build-up play.

By making runs into space, he creates goalscoring opportunities for himself and becomes a link between the midfield and the attacking third.

His movement facilitates a more dynamic and versatile attacking approach.

Additionally, his ability to make runs in behind also stretches the opposition’s defence, creating larger spaces between defenders that can be exploited by Roeten’s teammates.

As the centre forward pulls defenders out of position with his runs, it opens up channels for wingers, midfielders, or other forwards to exploit the vacated spaces.

Whilst Gustafsson primarily worked within the parameters of the penalty area, Roeten likes to move from deeper positions after dropping back to help out defensively.

This is effective when ADO Den Haag looks to hit teams on the counter.

Roeten is very intelligent with his shooting ability; he averages 3.6 shots per 90 and 1.98 on target per 90.

Most of his shots occur from inside the area.

However, the Dutch forward is more than capable of hitting the target from outside the penalty area.

In this instance, the 15-year-old makes an intelligent run in behind the opposition defence.

When the ball is played into his path, he notices the on-rushing goalkeeper and executes an audacious lob from outside the area.

A key element of Roeten’s game is how hard he works defensively.

He tracks back consistently throughout the game and looks to regain possession by hassling the opponent and putting them under pressure.

Here, we can see that the young forward is back in his own half and has successfully tackled his opponent, winning the ball back for ADO Den Haag.

Roeten averages 2.7 tackles per 90 and, on average, wins 1.18 per 90.

He also averages 2.1 ground duels and makes 4.5 ball recoveries per 90.

Roeten’s proactive defensive engagement disrupts the opponent’s attacking rhythm, creates turnovers and prevents the opposition from establishing a cohesive offensive presence.

His contributions act as a crucial line of defence before the opposition can reach more vulnerable areas of the pitch, as demonstrated above.

By consistently challenging opponents for possession, the young forward not only provides an immediate defensive impact but also sets a tone of highly valued defensive work and determination for the entire team.

His ability to win tackles and duels in defensive areas means Den Haag can look to quickly transition from the defensive to an offensive phase, creating counterattacking opportunities and catching the opponents off guard.

Mahamadou Sangaré Scouting Report At Paris Saint Germain

The next player we are going to highlight in this scout report is 16-year-old Mahamadou Sangaré.

The forward put in some impressive performances for Montrouge FC U17s, so remarkable that the Parisian giants came calling in the summer.

Despite his young age, Sanagré has been placed in the Under 19 age group at PSG and has not looked out of place at all.

Sangaré possesses rapid acceleration, which his team looks to exploit at every opportunity.

Here, PSG works the ball into the wide right area, and Sangare utilises his speed to make a well-timed run into the penalty area.

As a result, he can get there ahead of any defender and turn the ball goalwards.

His speed enables him to exploit open spaces quickly.

As he makes runs into the box, he can create enough distance from the defenders, making it challenging for them to keep pace.

This speed factor becomes crucial when the team looks to capitalise on playing in crosses from wide positions, as Sangaré can get into prime goalscoring positions ahead of his opponents.

The majority of the PSG forward’s shots occur from situations similar to this—the 16-year-old averages 3.8 shots per 90, with 3.1 from inside the penalty area per 90.

The combination of his pace and intelligent movement not only provides a target for crosses but also creates uncertainty in the minds of defenders, allowing him the time and space to execute shots.

Moreover, Sangaré is physically strong and able to hold up the ball very well when it is played into his feet.

Doing this makes him a pivotal focal point for the PSG team’s attacking manoeuvres.

He can temporarily pause the game, allowing teammates to make intelligent runs and join the attack.

This brief hold-up play allows PSG to build a cohesive and strategic attacking sequence of play to maximise their potential to carve out goalscoring opportunities.

Here, he drops deeper to receive the ball to feet, dragging the defender out of position.

This creates space for his PSG teammates to make a run in behind the opposition’s defence.

Additionally, Sangaré’s ability and willingness to work the channels becomes an outlet for PSG’s build-up play.

Here, he makes a run into the wide area, which drags the central defenders out of position and creates space for his teammate making a run into the box.

As the forward pulls wide, the opposition defenders spread out.

This creates the opportunity for the winger to exploit the space by running into the area.

Sangaré’s desire to operate in wide areas diversifies PSG’s attacking options and puts additional pressure on the opposing defence.

Sangaré’s speed, close control, and physical strength mean he is very adept at taking on opponents.

As a result, he averages 2.5 take-ons per 90 and also averages 0.97 crosses per 90.

This means he is not just a goalscoring threat but provides a creative force to the team.

Martin Andreas Bakkenget Scouting Report At Sarpsborg 08

The next player in this analysis is 15-year-old Norwegian Martin Andreas Bakkenget of Sarpsborg.

The youngster has played at U15, U16 and U17 levels during 2023 and has looked impressive across all three age groups.

Bakkenget is a striker with incredible technical and tactical capabilities.

He makes intelligent off-the-ball movement, allowing him to ghost into the opposition penalty area frequently unmarked.

In this situation, he indicates where he wants the ball to be played.

His teammate duly obliges, and Bakkenget hits a right-footed volley beyond the goalkeeper.

Although primarily right-footed, he is very confident and willing to use his left foot.

This means he is a potent scoring threat from various angles and positions on the field.

Bakkenget’s versatility enables Sarpsborg 08 FF to exploit goalscoring opportunities regardless of the defensive pressure or the angle of approach.

Defenders find it challenging to predict the young striker’s movement, making it harder to anticipate and block potential shots, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful goalscoring attempts from his average of 3.2 shots per 90.

On this occasion, after making an astute run in behind the opposition’s defensive line, thanks to his rapid acceleration, Bakkenget opts to hit a low drive from the edge of the area with his left foot.

His ability to shoot with both feet adds an element of unpredictability to his team’s attacking strategy.

This also makes it more difficult for defenders to close down shooting angles effectively and forces the opposition to remain on their toes, creating a constant challenge in containing Bakkenget’s goalscoring threat.

Moreover, Bakkenget is a versatile contributor in build-up play and link-up situations.

The ability to receive and control the ball with either foot allows him to seamlessly adapt to different passing angles and play styles.

Plus, his close control enables the team to maintain fluidity in attacking sequences, creating much more dynamism and unpredictability in their offensive movements.

During build-up play, Bakkenget likes to drop deeper to be actively involved and link up the play or ensure his team can retain possession.

We can see how he likes to operate in deeper central areas, allowing teammates to make forward runs from midfield and wide areas.

Bakkenget’s involvement in linking up play allows for a smoother transition from defence to attack.

As he drops deeper, he can receive the ball in areas where he has more time and space to make good decisions.

This patient build-up facilitates better ball circulation, enabling the Sarpsborg team to progress up the field with increased efficiency and minimising the risk of losing possession in advanced positions.

Moreover, this contributes to the creation of goalscoring opportunities.

By connecting with midfielders, he can initiate quick combinations, one-twos, or layoff passes that unlock opposing defences.

Bakkenget averages 1.18 key passes per 90 in addition to 1.3 crosses per 90, which shows he is more than just a goalscorer.

He plays a key role in facilitating opportunities for others.

Furthermore, he exhibits excellent tactical intelligence by recognising when to drop deep and when to push forward.

This adaptability adds a layer of unpredictability to the team’s attacking movements, making it challenging for opposing defenders to anticipate his positioning and effectively mark him out of the game.

Ambrose Ajala Scouting Report At Crusaders FC

Ambrose Ajala, a 16-year-old Dutch striker currently playing for Crusaders FC at U16 and U18 levels in Northern Ireland, is the fifth and final player in this scout report.

Physically, Ambrose Ajala is approximately 178 cm tall and possesses fantastic aerial ability, which means he is a constant threat from attacking set pieces.

We can see here that his jumping reach is excellent.

He can leap above his opponents to meet the ball and head it goalwards.

The Crusaders forward averages 5.4 aerial duels per 90, which shows that the team look to utilise Ajala’s ability to their advantage.

Furthermore, Ajala’s aerial prowess becomes an asset in transitions.

His ability to win aerial duels in the midfield areas means Crusaders can quickly transition from defensive situations into attacking opportunities.

The striker’s ability to flick on headers or secure possession in the air provides a direct and effective method of initiating counterattacks, often catching the opposition off guard.

Ambrose Ajala’s style of play defensively includes his ability to win defensive headers during set-piece situations adds value, contributing to the Crusaders’ focus on not conceding goals.

Ajala’s success in the aerial battles helps to clear the ball from danger, therefore minimising the risk of conceding from set pieces.

Ajala’s physical prowess allows him to retain possession in the ground duels and facilitates his ability to carry the ball forward at speed.

Here, he controls the ball well and ensures his opponent cannot get near it.

Crusaders look to Ambrose Ajala‘s style of play to transition from defence to attack due to his close control and good decision-making when in possession.

In this situation, he charges forward, successfully holding off his opponent and then sprinting away from him.

Ajala plays an inch-perfect pass into the winger, continues his run into the box and gets into a good goalscoring position.

Ajala automatically becomes a dynamic outlet during counterattacks.

As we can see above, Crusaders’ quick transitions catch opponents off guard, exploiting spaces and creating goalscoring opportunities.

His ball-carrying prowess is also particularly beneficial in breaking down stubborn defences as he can initiate and drive attacking plays from deeper positions.

Ambrose Ajala’s style of play doesn’t just excel physically; his technical abilities are also a standout aspect of his game.

In this scenario, he receives and controls the ball incredibly well with three opponents surrounding him.

Using his first touch to ensure none of the opposition players can get a touch on the ball allows him a split second to assess the situation.

He then utilises his quick feet and close control to dance through the opposition pressure and carry the ball into open space.

Averaging 1.81 take-ons per 90 minutes means that Crusaders can trust Ambrose Ajala’s tactics to beat his opponent in 1v1 situations and successfully retain possession.

This further adds to his dynamism in the attacking third and shows that he is something of an all-rounder.

It is this which makes him such an exciting prospect for the future.

Conclusion

In this scout report, we have highlighted five players aged 17 and under who have stood out during 2023.

We have seen how Sixten Gustafsson has become a prolific goalscorer for AIK U17s and why Bas Roeten is one to watch at ADO Den Haag.

Additionally, we have shown why Mahamadou Sangare, who is just 16 years old, is playing at the under-19 level for PSG.

Martin Andreas Bakkenget is a Norwegian striker to look out for, and Ambrose Ajala is an exciting prospect for Northern Irish football.

All five of these players are exceptionally talented, and it surely won’t be long before we see some of them on the peripheries of their respective first teams.