The heroics of final season are nonetheless contemporary within the minds of followers, and the thrill is clearly constructing forward of a primary European marketing campaign in over 50 years. We’re dwelling in dreamland for the time being, with our wildest expectations utterly surpassed throughout a whirlwind 12 months. Nevertheless, if we had been so as to add a pinch of actuality…
It’s no secret to anybody who watched the Lads final season that we had been crying out for an out-and-out proper winger. All through the marketing campaign, that place felt like a recreation of tactical musical chairs, with predominantly deputising out of place, whereas additionally made cameos because of the void left by successive (and considerably predictable) accidents to the one true possibility in that position, Bertrand Traoré, who has since departed.
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We want a little bit of magic, a little bit of swagger out on the suitable. One thing like in his prime, or throughout his majestic mortgage spell. A participant who’s disruptive, inventive and able to unlocking cussed defences.
Enter the newest identify to emerge from the Sunderland hearsay mill this summer season – Matías Soulé. The Argentine has been making severe waves in Italy and has pressured his approach into the notebooks of European scouts together with his shows.
So, is he the actual deal? Or simply one other overhyped YouTube spotlight reel?
Who’s Matías Soulé?
Born in Mar del Plata, Argentina, Matías Soulé Malvano is a extremely coveted 23-year-old left-footed attacking midfielder and large ahead presently taking part in for Serie A giants AS Roma. Recognized for his dribbling means, inventive aptitude and set-piece experience, he has drawn comparisons with compatriot .
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Soulé initially moved to Europe from the Vélez Sarsfield academy to hitch ’ youth setup. His massive break got here throughout a mortgage spell at then-Serie A facet Frosinone, the place he scored 11 targets and registered three assists in 36 appearances for the relegated membership.
That electrical type earned him a transfer to AS Roma for a reported €28 million in the summertime of 2024, and he has since developed into one among Europe’s most dynamic large gamers. His time with the Giallorossi has thus far yielded 81 appearances, 12 targets and 12 assists.
While he’s but to be capped by Argentina’s senior facet, he did obtain his first call-up to the on the age of 18 when Lionel Scaloni chosen him throughout his time at Juventus, though he has but to earn his first cap. Due to his twin nationality, which incorporates Italian citizenship, Soulé additionally discovered himself in Luciano Spalletti’s crosshairs again in 2023. Regardless of an strategy from the then-Italy boss, he pledged his worldwide future to Argentina.
Trying primarily at his statistics from final season, Soulé’s profile makes for thrilling studying for these of us who love an entertaining and dynamic winger (signal me up!).
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To say he’s a superb dribbler could be a felony understatement. Soulé recorded 35 profitable dribbles (1.47 per 90 – ninetieth percentile) and tried 104 dribbles (4.37 per 90), putting him within the 72nd and 81st percentiles respectively amongst gamers in Europe’s high 5 leagues.
Digging deeper into these numbers, Soulé averaged 7.70 entries into the ultimate third (97th percentile), together with 3.66 carries into the ultimate third (97th percentile). He additionally registered 1,516 touches final season (ninety fifth percentile), with 98 of these coming contained in the opposition penalty space (89th percentile).
Soulé is simply as harmful creatively, registering 5 assists from an xA of 4.88 (89th and 88th percentile respectively) in a league famend for its defensive resilience – no imply feat. He additionally accomplished 21 crosses with successful fee of 30% (88th and 84th percentile respectively), created 45 possibilities for his team-mates (89th percentile) and accomplished 835 passes (ninety fifth percentile), together with 4.84 passes per 90 into the ultimate third (93rd percentile).
To complete the statistical deep dive into his attacking qualities, the boy additionally is aware of the place the again of the web is. Scoring six Serie A targets final time period from an xG of three.96 highlights elite-level ending, outperforming the standard of the probabilities he acquired. That’s additional bolstered by his rankings for pictures, pictures on course and xG on course, the place Soulé sits within the 92nd, 88th and 89th percentiles respectively.
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In brief, Soulé is relentless. When he receives the ball on the suitable flank, his first intuition is to drive the opposition full-back in direction of their very own purpose line or lower sharply inside onto his favoured left foot earlier than both creating for a team-mate or punishing the opposition himself.
Merely put, Soulé is a premium, top-tier expertise. He brings South American aptitude, elite shut management, a real set-piece risk and a dependable finish product. He could be the catalyst for breaking down cussed defences and would give the Lads a real attacking risk down the right-hand facet.
With rumours of a €35 million price being touted, signing Soulé may see Sunderland break their switch report for the second successive season. With Roma having paid the same price solely two years in the past, although, a wholesome dose of realism is required when contemplating whether or not this can be a genuinely achievable deal.
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Nevertheless, there’s one issue that provides gasoline to the hearth. Soulé was one among ’s first signings as Director of Soccer on the Stadio Olimpico. If he signed him as soon as, may he do it once more? Solely time will inform.