The Netherlands is the home of big talents. Players like Rudd Van Nistelrooy, Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben are all from the land of talents. Now there is a new tide coming through in the form of Ryan Gravenberch, Jurrien Timber and so on. But they are from the famed academy of AFC Ajax or PSV Eindhoven. One name which pops up a lot these days and that youngster’s name is on the lips of top clubs like Manchester United, Olympique Lyon, his name is Tyrell Malacia.
Malacia is Rotterdam bred and brought up. He joined Feyenoord youth academy in 2008. He made his professional debut for them in 2–1 win over Napoli in UEFA Champions League. He later made his Eredivisie debut in 1–1 draw with SC Heerenveen.
He plays as a left-back for the Netherlands national team and his club.
Passing
He has 90% accurate passes. He can pass to his teammates at ease, whether it be long balls, short passes, diagonal balls — he can do it. He has ranked 1.2 in key passes made. He usually takes on defenders of the opposition and dribbles past them at ease.
He has 4 assists to his name. He sends chipped passes to his teammates for them to create shots and goal creating chances. He has 85% of accurate passes per game. He has the stamina, agility and speed to accelerate past defenders. He has potential to excel as an attacking fullback. He is known for progressive passes. He switches up the play diagonally with number 10 Steven Berghuis.
He is also a progressive carrier with the ball as he is known for carrying the ball into the space in the wing making transition from defense to attack. He likes to sit wide and deep in the final third, drawing the opposition narrow. When he receives the ball, he sends in an early cross or dribbles past opposition at the byline. He created 8 big chances for attackers to score.
He is known for either sending an early cross or sending a cross to the six-yard area for the attacker to have a goal scoring chance. He is one of the best creative left fullbacks in Eredivisie.
Defensive Output
He is a top end athlete in his position. He has a strong ball recovery pace, he is also good in 1 vs 1 duels. He is very difficult to catch due to his burst of speed and anticipation in short spaces. He has dribbled past only 1.0 per 90.
He is known for pressuring his opponents to get either dispossessed or commit mistakes. He has made 2.7 tackles per game out of which he has won 1.78 tackles per 90. He has made 1.17 interceptions and he has made 1.2 clearance per game. He has won 55% of total duels with 56% of duels he won on the ground however in air he has won 51% of them.
He is usually out of position as he is doing attacking work, but he makes last ditch tackles with great efficiency. In a stronger league he would be exposed, and he needs to work on it. Being only 22 years old, he has time on his side to improve himself.
Goals Scored
Along with 4 assists, he has 1 goal to his name. He has scored his first goal for the 2021/22 season in 2833 minutes. He has taken 51 shots out of which he converted only 1. Out of 35 shots which he has taken outside the box he has been able to convert 1 of them.
Verdict
Man Utd are trying to sweep in to capture Malacia along with Frenkie De Jong. As they both share the same agents, Man Utd will try to get their man and beat Olympique Lyon.
Lyon had secured the signature of the young Dutchman with £11 million plus £2.5m but United made an improved bid to snap up the young versatile athletic defender. He would give Alex Telles and Luke Shaw a challenge and he might hold down the starting berth. He would be the first signing of the Erik Ten Hag era and expectations are high from him after his performance in the UEFA Conference league.
